washing machine building regs tenant liability

Disjoint

Hi all,

Helping a friend buy a flat, owner has the washing machine in the bathroom which is against building regulations. If my friend leaves the washing machine in the bathroom for the tenants he intends to rent to - what's the liability?
Obviously don't want him to risk getting sued if anything goes wrong. It's just not the biggest flat so it's a smart use of space and if we can keep it there I would...

Thanks!

G_M

Never mind the building Regs, what about electrical safety?

A LL has a legal responsibility to ensure the electrics are safe. If the tenant got electricuted, the LL could be fined or sent to prison.

In a short while (early next year?) the gov is bringing in compulsory electrical safety checks (like gas) and this would fail.

Move the washing machine.


edit - I believe the requirement will be a 10 yearly inspection and report, with interim inspections at the start of each new tenancy.

davidmcn

Disjoint wrote: »

Helping a friend buy a flat, owner has the washing machine in the bathroom which is against building regulations.

Are you sure it's against regulations? There are additional electrical safety requirements in bathrooms, but I doubt there's a general prohibition against having washing machines in the bathroom. That is a normal location in other countries.

Carrot007

davidmcn wrote: »

Are you sure it's against regulations? There are additional electrical safety requirements in bathrooms, but I doubt there's a general prohibition against having washing machines in the bathroom. That is a normal location in other countries.

Think it is ok in electrical regs, but it would have to be a very very big bathroom in the UK to comply (so it will not). On BR no idea, but what does BR have to do with a washing machine?

[Deleted User]

I've seen loads of properties with washing machines in bathrooms. Usually lived in by Americans who seem to despise the idea of a washing machine in the kitchen.

I generally thought it was OK if it wired outside the bathroom?

Doozergirl

I too have a feeling that it's fine if the wiring is isolated. The problem is plug sockets rather than electrics, as far as I am aware. We've done plenty of WC/utility rooms and our electrician is as fastidious as they come.

theartfullodger

Don't be daft: Think of the publicity if say visiting children, grandchildren, whoever get electrocuted.. And the families of those killed could sue owner, it would be up to a judge to decide liability, not some anonymous free forum.

Simply not worth running the risk, IMHO.

I bought a house just like this: Changed the plumbing, electrics & moved a wall. Still renting it out 16 years later. As a landlord you have responsibilities, both legal & moral.

What of those fundamental British values or decency & fair-play?

[Deleted User]

theartfullodger wrote: »

Don't be daft: Think of the publicity if say visiting children, grandchildren, whoever get electrocuted.. And the families of those killed could sue owner.

Simply not worth running the risk, IMHO.

I bought a house just like this: Changed the plumbing, electrics & moved a wall. Still renting it out 16 years later. As a landlord you have responsibilities, both legal & moral.

What of those fundamental British values or decency & fair-play?

Are you basing this electricution risk on advice from an electrician? Or just that it seemed odd?

Like I've said, I've seen fairly new properties built with washing machines and tumble dryers stacked in bathrooms. So there must be a safe way of doing it.

It looks strange to us as it's not what we are used to, but washing machines and Dishwasher next to kitchen sink isn't really any different and that's generally accepted.

foxy-stoat

You probably would be ok if the washing machine was at least 3 metres from the shower/bath/basin, maybe run an extension lead through the wall outside the room.

theartfullodger

Deleted_User wrote: »

Are you basing this electricution risk on advice from an electrician? Or just that it seemed odd?

Like I've said, I've seen fairly new properties built with washing machines and tumble dryers stacked in bathrooms. So there must be a safe way of doing it.

It looks strange to us as it's not what we are used to, but washing machines and Dishwasher next to kitchen sink isn't really any different and that's generally accepted.

It's the mix of high humidity, probably lots of condensation - both worse than kitchens, live electrics (OK inside metal boxes...) and very wet humans. Simply not worth the risk. If you yourself wish to kill yourself your shout, your decision. Someone else, possibly entirely innocent, getting killed is another matter.


It's a "" a safe way of doing it """" until it isn't safe.


I as a landlord would not do it, even when that means expense: But yes, other landlords do d*mn stupid things (and some end up in jail for it..).


Best wishes to all and be safe out there!

need_an_answer

https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/washing-machine-in-the-bathroom-228443

It looks like its not discouraged although it does need to comply.