House Purchase - Property Information Form - Electric

RedSky1974

Thank you all for the replies.

All of the work was done (electrics and central heating) was done within the last 5 years.

From speaking to the owners, they appear as very trustworthy people. They are the type who have been willing to help us with lots of bibs and bobs and it's funny because they are both in the same line of work as we are. As I said above, their daughter lives there and has done for a good few years so I can't see why they would want to risk her safety.

From what I know at the moment, it doesn't bother me enough for us to run away as we really love the house. However, I think I'd like to approach the solicitor to see if some kind of check can be done.

I've done a bit more research and on MyBuilder, I saw someone who posted a question stating that they didn't have a Part P certificate and they are selling. Most of the responses tell the poster to get a Electrcial Installation Condition Report. Should we go with this? However, someone else posted saying that "Since the recent changes to Part P legislation, you can now get an approved electrician to inspect the work and issue a certificate for the work done." Is that right?

If so, then I think I'll get hold of the solicitor on Monday and say that's what we require and go from there.

Does this have an effect on the mortgage / house insurance? We've already had the mortgage offer (subject to survey) - however, another thought, perhaps the surveyor may bring up the lack of certificates...

Thanks for help again

societys_child

Ooops . . .

It goes on to state that work has been carried out since 1st Jan 2005

You're right, missed that bit

RedSky1974

Here's a relevant post I found:

This is a common tale, and in most cases the seller has no certifiactes as they were never issued one by the guy who did the work! i.e. they got a cheap job carried out.

Legally the only person who can sign the certificate is the person who did the job in the first place and its illegal for someone else to sign off another persons work.

The local authority could take a dim view of this and its possible for them to fine you as the new owners of the property for the non compliance with the law (£5000). As such you must ensure that your conveyance/solicitor seeks a full indemnity insurance from the sellers so that your covered should court action be taken against you in the future.

Your best bet is to commission your own electrician (NICEIC recommended) and pay them to carry out a full EICR for you. If the installation is found to be unsatisfactory then you can re-negotiate on the asking price with the seller and get the works sorted out properly once you move in.

I would not rely on the seller providing a certificate as its very easy to obtain a fake worthless certificate, and you could still end up having problems in the long run.

So it seems we should pay for the EICR? If any issues, then re-negotiate the price. Also get indemnity insurance just in case.

societys_child

get a Electrcial Installation Condition Report. Should we go with this?

That's what i'd probably do

However, someone else posted saying that "Since the recent changes to Part P legislation, you can now get an approved electrician to inspect the work and issue a certificate for the work done." Is that right?

I don't know. As you're going to get a sparky to check it, see what he suggests or is willing to do

Hoploz

Just thought I'd add ...
Sounds like there was never a certificate for electrics as they've told you a friend did it ... Ok get a safety check done if it'll put your mind at rest.

It is possible to contact Gas Safe and Corgi to find out whether certificates were ever issued, which may have been lost.

My seller refused to provide any certificates for work they'd had done. They had to buy an indemnity policy, but I found out a certificate existed from gas safe, which satisfied me that the boiler was in fact originally fitted correctly. Certificates can be re-ordered, but my seller refused to buy it as the indemnity covered it, and I didn't want to spend the £40odd myself for a piece of paper.

AdrianC

Bet the indemnity cost them more than £40...

RedSky1974

societys_child wrote: »

That's what i'd probably doI don't know. As you're going to get a sparky to check it, see what he suggests or is willing to do

Thanks


I posted on a different forum and someone replied "They have in theory made the house unsellable, unmorgagable and broken the law - its upto you how much you want the house and how much you can knock off the asking price."

That's worried me :-(

RedSky1974

Hoploz wrote: »

Just thought I'd add ...
Sounds like there was never a certificate for electrics as they've told you a friend did it ... Ok get a safety check done if it'll put your mind at rest.

It is possible to contact Gas Safe and Corgi to find out whether certificates were ever issued, which may have been lost.

My seller refused to provide any certificates for work they'd had done. They had to buy an indemnity policy, but I found out a certificate existed from gas safe, which satisfied me that the boiler was in fact originally fitted correctly. Certificates can be re-ordered, but my seller refused to buy it as the indemnity covered it, and I didn't want to spend the £40odd myself for a piece of paper.

Same sort of situation as me then. I'll look into the Gas Safe. I'm sure they said the gas engineer who did it for them lives opposite the house.

RedSky1974

Just spoke to my friend his is a solicitor and he said:

Yeah, happens all the time.

Standard practice would be for them to have a competent person check them over and offer a lack of building regulations insurance policy.

silvercar

crouchmagic wrote: »

Thanks


I posted on a different forum and someone replied "They have in theory made the house unsellable, unmorgagable and broken the law - its upto you how much you want the house and how much you can knock off the asking price."

That's worried me :-(

If every house that had had some work done without a certificate was unsellable, rightmove would be out of business.