landlords electrical testing

greatcrested

It's my understanding that compulsory electrical testing is likely to be introduced sometime in rented propeties.


I have a property I rent via an agent and they are pressing me to have a test done, or to sign a disclaimer if I don't.


My concern is that any test might simply give the standard report of 'not to current standards' and then mean I'd have to do expensive upgrades even though the electrics are I believe perfectly safe.


What do other landlords do/think?

newbie1980

greatcrested wrote: »

It's my understanding that compulsory electrical testing is likely to be introduced sometime in rented propeties.


I have a property I rent via an agent and they are pressing me to have a test done, or to sign a disclaimer if I don't.


My concern is that any test might simply give the standard report of 'not to current standards' and then mean I'd have to do expensive upgrades even though the electrics are I believe perfectly safe.


What do other landlords do/think?

im a electrician in telford and im starting to do these for a letting agent. Im looking at possibly 200 reports

i am doing a visual first with a quote of works needed to pass the eicr

this does not include a fuseboard not being upto regs 2019

a eicr will pass as long as property is safe

baldelectrician

greatcrested wrote: »

It's my understanding that compulsory electrical testing is likely to be introduced sometime in rented propeties.


I have a property I rent via an agent and they are pressing me to have a test done, or to sign a disclaimer if I don't.


My concern is that any test might simply give the standard report of 'not to current standards' and then mean I'd have to do expensive upgrades even though the electrics are I believe perfectly safe.


What do other landlords do/think?

I do electrical testing for a living and not to current standards will still pass

There are 3 codes
C1- immediately dangerous
C2- potentially dangerous
C3 - not to current standards

https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/media/1200/best-practice-guide-4-issue-4.pdf

See the pdf on the link above

To turn things round- if you had an electrical fire at your rental property and someone was hurt or the house burnt down how will you prove your electrics were safe?

You have a legal duty of care to ensure your tenanted property is safe- how are you achieving this at present?

AnotherJoe

Why dont you ask someone that does electrical tests what they do?
My expectation would be that you would be told (a) if it was safe or not, (2) if there were any faults, and only perhaps (3) if it was up to code.

If they simply said "not up to code you must replace to meet code" then pretty much every house getting one in scotland, where they are compulsory, would need to be doing expensive work every 5 years.
And, AFAIK they are already compulsory for HMO's in England and I've not read of such an outcome (as long as its safe) as you suggest.

davidmcn

greatcrested wrote: »

I have a property I rent via an agent and they are pressing me to have a test done, or to sign a disclaimer if I don't.

And you have a problem with the disclaimer? If so, what?

gld73

The EICR and PAT testing are legal requirements in Scotland already. Although frustrating to have that extra expense, if they do identify a problem, it is worth it being identified and sorted rather than run the risk of renting out a potentially dangerous property. You don't have to meet the absolute latest electrical standards, if your property is safe the upgrades will be recommendations rather than requirements.

scottishblondie

As a LL in Scotland we have had an EICR as a legal requirement for some time now. I believe we paid around £150 per property. One flat was built in the 1950s, but had electrical work done in the 1990s (prior to our ownership) and some wiring in the kitchen done in 2014 when we redid it. The other was built in 2001 with no electrical work done since.

The electrician spent 2-3 hours at each property testing everything and gave us a couple of recommendations. Obviously nothing in the properties is up to current standards, but this was not a problem as it was still was safe. Just get the testing done.

mchale

greatcrested wrote: »

It's my understanding that compulsory electrical testing is likely to be introduced sometime in rented propeties.

Bearing in mind any change in tenancy voids a previous elec inspection certificate, would be interesting to see how this is overcome.

G_M

mchale wrote: »

[/B]

Bearing in mind any change in tenancy voids a previous elec inspection certificate, would be interesting to see how this is overcome.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-tougher-electrical-safety-standards-to-protect-private-tenants

mchale

G_M wrote: »

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-tougher-electrical-safety-standards-to-protect-private-tenants

Ah, so more expense for LL, which in turn will be no doubt be passed on to tenants in the form of rent increase's.

theartfullodger

My agent requires me to have them do an electric cert -. mainly so they can prove they've take steps to ensure safety.

Seems reasonable to me, may spot an issue.