Does an person who installs a new consumer unit need to be qualified?

blackcloud

I ask the tradesman who I had to get out to look at the electrics and he said the new consumer unit is not marked with the circuits and he doubts it was installed by a certified electrician, no compliance certificate has been left. The land lord told me he had just installed a new consumer unit. But I want to make sure its been safely installed and has been installed by a certified electrician but how can I find this out? Im in Scotland.

googler

Is there anything wrong APART from the fact that the circuits aren't labelled?

This may help

http://www.landlords.org.uk/sites/default/files/electrical%20safety%20landlords%20scotland.pdf

You could ask the landlord who installed it...

baldelectrician

Most landlords don't know about the minimum tolerable standard requirements (came in in September 2007).

If the property meets this and the smoke detectors are upgraded (remember no new / replacement battery smoke detectors allowed in Scottish rental properties since 2007) then a test should pass no problem


A cautionary note- the rules require your landlord to use a 'competent person - electrically'.
As the landlord is responsible you should ask him for a copy of the electrical certificate- if doesn't have one now he will need one by 1st December 2016, if you moved in after 1st December 2015 you should already have one



If your landlord uses a NICEIC or SELECT registered contractor then he will be fine- if not it's his problem to ensure the electrician is competent- he must seek proof of competence (see Appendix A in the legislation- copy below)


You will also need mains smoke / heat detectors.


Link to Scottish Government site
https://www.prhpscotland.gov.uk/repairs-application-and-guidance



The above is a link to the page and has all you need to know- straight from the horses mouth


Text from Appendix A:

Checklist for Electrician
Check*
I am a member of a professional body

I have public liability insurance (£2 million minimum is recommended)

I have employers’ liability insurance (£2 million minimum is recommended), unless the business has no employees

I have professional indemnity insurance (£0.25 million is recommended for contractors undertaking electrical installation condition reporting)

I have completed appropriate assessed training on current version of BS7671 within the past 5 years

I can provide:
· copies of wholesaler bills made out to entity trading, or
· a company registration number, or
· a Unique Tax Reference (UTR)

I can provide copies of trade qualification or equivalent

I can provide a copy of a written health and safety policy statement for the business

I have completed Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Health & Safety Assessment within the past 3 years

I have been granted, or am eligible to be granted at least Approved Electrician grade.

blackcloud

Thanks for the replies!

Well as the lettings agents would not repair kitchen light I had one of two options a) never have a light in kitchen b) get it repaired.

I got a handyman who deals with electrics and he put up a pendant light. He said he was surprised that the florescent light was not earthed.

What should I do now do you think? should I tell the letting agents what has been done and tell them if they want to come and look at it they can do.

I also noticed a large crack in the kitchen ceiling. DO you think its dangerous? or should it get looked at?

stator

Crack in what? Artex? Plaster boards? Stone?

Ask the landlord for details of the electrical safety certificate etc and see what they produce

blackcloud

I dont know what the ceiling is made of but its an uneven line about 3 feet long that starts from from where the ceiling meets the wall and the ceiling is painted.

baldelectrician

Look at the guidance (the guidance is a MANDATORY requirement so its only guidance by name)


I would draw your attention to the repairing standard on smoke detectors- do you have mains linked smoke alarms?


Do NOT call the agent- use email; emails are time and date stamped and prove what was discussed over a time line


Contact your local council- they have a private rental sector office to deal with things like this.