Moving a plug socket out of cooker's exclusion zone

NickB2017

Hi all,

I recently moved into a property. The property is rented. The tenancy agreement stipulated that the white goods were not part of the inventory but they were in the property when we moved in (we were told 'if they break, your problem'). The gas checks performed the day before moving in showed the existing cooker to be faulty and subsequently had a substantial 'Do not use' sticker placed on it.

As such, we replaced the existing cooker with our own. However, upon trying to get it installed, the Gas Safe engineer refused to on the basis that a plug socket existed in the exclusion zone of the cooker. Thankfully he didn't charge me.

However, I am now in a position where I cannot have my cooker installed until the plug socket is moved. I am under the impression that this is the responsibility of my landlord in 'repairing and keeping in good order certain installations for the supply of water, electricity and gas' (from the tenancy agreement).

Other useful facts:

- The space in question is the only viable spot to place the cooker. Interestingly, it is a clear exclusion zone APART from the plug socket, which makes me think a handyman/electrician has messed up somewhere.
- The plug socket is needed for the nearby washing machine. As such, it cannot simply be removed. It will need to be moved.
- I have the gas safety record for the day before I moved in. It did not mention the plug socket being in the existing cooker's exclusion zone. It only mentions the fault with the cooker.
- The existing cooker had a grill above the hobs. Therefore a metal backplate connected the main body to the grill. This would have provided a layer between the plug socket and the hob and may have contributed to it not being an issue with the existing cooker. The new cooker does not have this.

Am I right in assuming it is the landlord's responsibility to pay for an electrician to move the plug socket out of the exclusion zone?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

HouseBuyer77

I've got a socket directly above my freestanding cooker hob. I did worry this would be a problem but the engineer who did the install and gas safety check said it was fine as the glass cover that goes over the hob protects the socket when the hob is in use (as you'd have to lift it to gain access).

Does your hob have a glass/metal cover you need to lift to use it? If so I'd suggest ringing another gas safe engineer, describing the situation and seeing if they would be willing to do the install/sign-off. Perhaps the guy you used didn't know this bit of the regs (or perhaps I've got a dodgy install )?

NickB2017

Thanks for the reply. The new cooker unfortunately does not have a glass lid.

AdrianC

So, basically, the problem is that your new cooker isn't suitable for the position it needs to fit into.

Is it too late to return it to the supplier and get one which does protect the socket? That would seem to be the simplest option...

davidmcn

NickB2017 wrote: »

However, I am now in a position where I cannot have my cooker installed until the plug socket is moved. I am under the impression that this is the responsibility of my landlord in 'repairing and keeping in good order certain installations for the supply of water, electricity and gas' (from the tenancy agreement).

No, maintaining the current installations is the landlord's responsibility. The clause says nothing about altering them to fit your requirements.

The existing cooker had a grill above the hobs. Therefore a metal backplate connected the main body to the grill. This would have provided a layer between the plug socket and the hob and may have contributed to it not being an issue with the existing cooker. The new cooker does not have this.

So it's your choice of cooker that's the problem?

I think you'll need to meet the cost of shifting the socket. Doesn't sound like a big job anyway?

NickB2017

I don't believe it is my choice of cooker that is the problem. I've looked at manuals for other freestanding cookers, with glass lids, and they say the exact same:

"No shelf or overhang of combustible material should be closer than 650mm above the hob." or similair.

The standard appears all-encompassing and there do not seem to be provisions for 'glass lids' or other functionality.

In other words, I could send my cooker back and purchase one with a glass lid but the Gas Safety engineer still appears to be within their right to refuse to install.

Edit - Okay I stand corrected. It seems that cookers with a top level grill have slightly different installation requirements. I may just have to chalk this one up to experience and pay for the moving of the plug socket.

HappyMJ

NickB2017 wrote: »

I don't believe it is my choice of cooker that is the problem. I've looked at manuals for other freestanding cookers, with glass lids, and they say the exact same:

"No shelf or overhang of combustible material should be closer than 650mm above the hob." or similair.

The standard appears all-encompassing and there do not seem to be provisions for 'glass lids' or other functionality.

In other words, I could send my cooker back and purchase one with a glass lid but the Gas Safety engineer still appears to be within their right to refuse to install.

You did say the original cooker had a high level grill and a backplate so in my opinion it is still your choice of oven which is requiring the relocation of the socket which was originally hidden behind the cooker.

In my opinion if you want the cooker you'll have to pay an electrician to move the socket down behind the cooker and provide a switch on the wall so you can turn it off.

AdrianC

NickB2017 wrote: »

Edit - Okay I stand corrected. It seems that cookers with a top level grill have slightly different installation requirements. I may just have to chalk this one up to experience and pay for the moving of the plug socket.

Can you get the cooker changed? This may well be your cheapest option, even if you incur costs. Modifying the electrics in the kitchen involves a big chunk of paperwork, as well as potentially incurring the wrath of your landlord.

NickB2017

On balance, it is probably the easiest and cheapest option Adrian and I'm still well within my period to get a refund. I'm going to call HSE tomorrow just to ensure that if I do swap my freestanding cooker for one with a top level grill and backplate, I won't get another Gas Safety engineer refuse to install it.

martin.cat

Can you not just do away with the socket?
You can get blacking plates to replace socket fronts and combined with safe isolation using insulated terminals or disconnection that would probably solve your issue.

You could then easily reinstate if needed at a later date

G_M

Unless I've missed it, you don't say whether you've discussed this with your landlord.

Some LLs will be more flexible/helpful than others. Just because a LL does not have to move a socket, does not mean he won't. Though nor of course does it mean he will.

Try asking him? It does add to the safety/flexibility of the property so he may see it as a useful improvement to the property as well as a way to keep his new tenant happy.

And as we all know, happy tenants stay longer and cause fewer problems.