Is this fusebox safe? Dodgy LL's - please advise

bumblebee15

Hi AdrianC, I am looking BUT having recently lost my job and having to claim housing benefit for the first time ever, it is very difficult.

bumblebee15

I would also say that I don't think these people should be able to get away with breaking the law and putting people at risk.

FreeBear

AdrianC said: Then you've got another terminal block just right of the meter, with tails going off to that other old-school fusebox to the side. What that's for, I have no idea. Turn it off and see.

That black box (well old school fuse box ?) appears to be connected to the supply before the meter - If that is the case, the energy supplier will want know about it.

If someone is running all their appliances off a single extension lead, he would need to watch the maximum loading very carefully. A fan heater, kettle, and a microwave all at once could cause the lead to overheat, especially if it is a cheap one. Also, running an extension lead across a corridor is a trip hazard unless measures have been taken to protect the cable.

greatcrested

Which country? (not though thatmakes much difference - an HMO is an HMO)

How many ocupants etc? Have you read https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence?

Have you checked the council website?Many list licenced HMOs?Is it there?

If not,contact the HMO team re the fire precautions.

theartfullodger

greatcrested said:

Which country? (not though thatmakes much difference - an HMO is an HMO)

The law is different, certainly England v Scotland.  But broadly similar...

dimbo61

Where to start ?

Has the property got an EPC ? What is the rating ?

You can check on the EPC register !

Has the property got a valid in date Gas Safe Certificate if there is gas heating ?

Now from April 2021 all rental properties must have an EICR. Electrical inspection and condition report.

This EICR must be done for all new tenancies from July 2020 but your Landlord has till next April before he must have one in place.

If this is a HMO he should have a HMO licence and the property should be inspected by the HMO team from the local council.

Not having mains wired interlinked smoke alarms system and CO alarms near gas appliances is a sure sign the Landlord is way beyond stupid.

Criminal comes to mind so contact the council HMO team ASAP it could save your life.

However you could end up homeless if the council shuts the property down.

The fire service could also become involved and he could face big fines if the property is a potential death trap

Welchyboy51

I am a registered electrician and I’m surprised no-one has mentioned it already, but the electric meter has been bypassed, not a good sign at all!

the live conductor goes straight to the consumer unit and only the neutral conductor passes through the meter

by law the landlord should have to obtain an EICR report for the property(electrical installation condition report) 

from what I’ve seen in the photo so far that could throw up some interesting results

bumblebee15

Hi Welchyboy51 - thank you for your answer and expertise. As I am a bit of a layman about these things - what does that mean exactly? Does it mean they aren't paying their electric bills properly? What does the live conductor going straight to the consumer unit mean? Sorry if I sound a bit stupid about such things, it is just that I have only ever been used to dealing with people who are upfront and honest and these people are crooks!

bumblebee15

Thank you so much dimbo61. I have made a note of all that and will definitely look into it.

bumblebee15

Hi everyone, I am in London