Moved in - electrics a right mess

longwalks1

Moved into our new home (not new build, a 1930's semi) on Friday, and now the sellers have took all their appliances, we now see how poor the electrics are (exposed cables, choc blocks in line hanging out the wall by the boiler, cable to heating controller about 4m coiled up that isn't needed that's connected). Are there any rules regarding electrics when you sell? I've clearly gotta get someone in to sort the various mess out, at a cost, is this something they should sort or is it my responsibility now? Thanks everyone in advance

G_M

There is a simple rule: Buyer beware.

If you did not have an electrical inspection done, or inspect the electrics yourself, you have to accept the condition of what you have bought.

Good luck with the improvements to your new home.

edit: Scotland or England or....?

thesaint

What did your solicitor say?

Bantex_2

Did you get a survey done prior to purchase?

thesaint

G_M wrote: »

There is a simple rule: Buyer beware.

If you did not have an electrical inspection done, or inspect the electrics yourself, you have to accept the condition of what you have bought.

Good luck with the improvements to your new home.

edit: Scotland or England or....?

Bantex wrote: »

Did you get a survey done prior to purchase?

The seller has taken their fixed appliances etc, and left behind a mess.
A survey/check would not have highlighted anything.

WestonDave

To be fair a lot of that (particularly in the kitchen) is pretty typical of some kitchen fitters idea of electrics. Its not ideal but its not going to kill you immediately either. The choc blocks can easily be replaced by proper closed junction boxes, and the exposed cable easily put inside some trunking to tidy it up.


At least its obvious - some of the worst stuff is the hidden away things you won't know about unless it either gets properly tested or it goes wrong. We had a socket in the kitchen that was ideally placed for plugging the lawnmower in (with its RCD plug etc) that turned out to be on the unearthed lighting circuit! Other wiring had been dropped down the cavity in the wall so risked rubbing the insulation off on wall ties.


Get a recommendation for a trusted electrician and get them to do an inspection and test. Shouldn't cost more than around £100 - that way you know for certain what is really dangerous, what is out of date and could do with updating in time and what is OK.

silvercar

I suppose you did have the option of a full electric inspection before purchase. Now you have the option of living with it as it is, on the basis that the previous owners survived without major mishap or getting an electrician in to sort issues.

we were told to get the MCB checked out, as that is the heart of the system. If that is in good condition and compliant, it should protect you should anything else fail.

What you have described is mainly cosmetic issues rather than dangerous - extra cable coiled shouldn't cause a problem and choc boxes are the correct way to connect cables. I would not be happy with exposed cables.

Its not too late to get an inspection now, where issues can be highlighted as urgent or desirable.

googler

Diff rules apply in E&W and Scotland. Where did you buy?

CWSmith

When we moved into a 1930's house a few months back, the electrics were a mess also. The survey had flagged up an out of date fuse box, but not much else.

However, the first time we turned on a light, the whole lot fused. In the first few days we went through a number of fuses as it kept happening. We got the experts in, they replaced the fuse box, repaired the dodgy wall light that was tripping the rest, added a couple of sockets, repaired a couple, checked every other socket and light. Two days work and it cost just under a grand. Money well spent and it would have had to have been done eventually.

Our situation wasn't dangerous either, but it was a worry nevertheless. For peace of mind, get it sorted.

Missko

Error.
Error.

ess0two

Missko wrote: »

Yep, if you got a full survey and they didn't highlight a possible problem, sue them.


If you took the risk of not getting a full survey, tough luck I'm afraid.

Since when did a survey cover electrics,never they just !!!!! cover and advise getting further competent people to survey electrics / plumbing etc.


The OP has issue that the previous owner has potential left the wiring in an unsafe condition when removing articles?