Testing the electrics

brodiebruce

Hi all


Im in the process of buying my first flat and I believe exchanging contracts fairly soon.


They have given me a gas certificate but not one for the electrics. I have read up on this and unsure whether I even need to get anyone in before I exchange? The flat is only 12 years old so wondered if im just wasting money and time in getting an electrician to come in and test?


Whats everyone's thoughts?


Many Thanks

tom9980

The property would need to have been built in the past few months for it to pass the current tests, because they updated the regulations earlier this year. On a 12 year old property i would call it pointless unless i had reason to believe there was an issue.

AdrianC

You don't NEED either a gas or electrical cert. You may want one to feel comfortable, but that's not the same as needing one for the purchase process to progress.

AnotherJoe

Because it's so new, buy a ten quid socket tester from the likes of Amazon so the test only costs you a tenner rather than paying an electrician to do the same and charge £250.

Smodlet

Just to try to put things in perspective for you, OP, electrical regs change about every 3 months.

We had our house re-wired almost 7 years ago; barring a fire, they should be good for the next 50 at least. Our previous house was rewired 18 years ago... Ditto.

If this property is only 12 years old, I doubt you have anything to worry about but I cannot emphasise enough how useful it is to assemble a team of tradespeople you trust: Go on personal recommendation only, none of this "Trusted Checkatrade" BS; you know most of the reviews are written by the tradespeople, don't you?

HTH

G_M

Unless the current (or previous) owners have done a lot of dodgy DIY electrics it should be fine.


May not be 'to current standards', but will both safe and legal.