LL asking for access to property

HamSoulo

Hi

Our LL wants to get an electrician to conduct the EICR testing. We have a valid gas certificate for another 6 months or so, but the electric testing has to happen by 1st April.

We’ve given notice and moving out in the last week of April. We’ve even done remote viewings through WhatsApp and Skype to avoid leaving the house as my partner is a germ magnet.

On top of that, we’ve both came down with a cold/flu,  I wouldn’t expect it’s covid, as we are self-isolating/shielding. This doesn’t help if we have to step out for a good few hours into the cold, as going anywhere indoors is a no-go for us.

How should we respond to our LL so we can safely stay here without exposure to anyone until the move-out date?

Regards
H.S.

need_an_answer

The electricity certification is now a legal requirement for all rented properties...it must be done before 31st March. Technically a LL could face a fine if the property is rented out without one after the 31st March.
OK so you are moving out but again technically you are renting a property in the period until you move out that does not comply with current legalisation.
The gas safety has no bearing on the situation its a separate document.

You are putting your LL in an awkward position by refusing to allow the inspection.
You dont say what type of property you live in but the inspection should take no longer than around an hour if its 1 or 2 beds slightly longer if it it a larger property or a house.
The electrician will follow guidelines for exposure and social distancing.
I think its more of a case that actually you would rather be left alone than allow this inspection simply because perhaps you see it as an un necessary interruption ....its not.

If say you needed to have a plumber to the property to fix a broken toilet would you be saying its ok we will manage until we move out and you can fix it then?

lookstraightahead

We had a check done a few weeks ago. The guy was never in the same room as us and he wore a mask the whole time and we kept fresh air circulating, I personally didn't feel under threat.

How did you view the property you are moving to and can you move in there any earlier? You are going to have to pick up keys and all sorts. 

im surprised they've left it til now to do to be honest - did they try getting access any sooner or was this the first time they've asked? 

moneysavinghero

This is your home. You let in who you want to and exclude who you want to. Just tell the LL that he will have to wait a month. Unlikely the LL would be fined as they have attempted to get the EICR done; covid has hampered things; it's only 1 month. They would also have to give the LL 28 days notice to get the work done anyway, which by that time you will be gone and he can get the work done.

need_an_answer

lookstraightahead said:

We had a check done a few weeks ago. The guy was never in the same room as us and he wore a mask the whole time and we kept fresh air circulating, I personally didn't feel under threat.

How did you view the property you are moving to and can you move in there any earlier? You are going to have to pick up keys and all sorts. 

im surprised they've left it til now to do to be honest - did they try getting access any sooner or was this the first time they've asked? 

I'm  a LL and have had issues with getting these certifications done on my properties....I still have one that needs completing before the deadline.
Multiple issues arise because it was a legislation that was bought in during lockdown with a completion by date of 31st march...every rented property in the country now needs the certification so its not that easy to find electricians who arnt booked up!
Why leave it to the end...well simple answer is the certificate has an expiry after 5 years so naturally everyone is opting to get them done to give maximum time going forward,in a similar vein to an MOT you get that done when its due not 6 months in advance of it expiring.

lookstraightahead

need_an_answer said:

lookstraightahead said:

We had a check done a few weeks ago. The guy was never in the same room as us and he wore a mask the whole time and we kept fresh air circulating, I personally didn't feel under threat.

How did you view the property you are moving to and can you move in there any earlier? You are going to have to pick up keys and all sorts. 

im surprised they've left it til now to do to be honest - did they try getting access any sooner or was this the first time they've asked? 

I'm  a LL and have had issues with getting these certifications done on my properties....I still have one that needs completing before the deadline.
Multiple issues arise because it was a legislation that was bought in during lockdown with a completion by date of 31st march...every rented property in the country now needs the certification so its not that easy to find electricians who arnt booked up!
Why leave it to the end...well simple answer is the certificate has an expiry after 5 years so naturally everyone is opting to get them done to give maximum time going forward,in a similar vein to an MOT you get that done when its due not 6 months in advance of it expiring.

Yep but you end up with issues if your tenants can't fit in to your last minute timescale or if they are being difficult. It's not really like an MOT as there's no third party. How much does each certificate cost?

We has a call from the electrician before Christmas to book for jan or Feb at a time to suit us and it worked perfectly.

I do think it's unfair on landlords but it's a legal requirement.

dimbo61

An EICR report costs about £160/200 so not cheap money.
The report may highlight a number of issues with the electrics in the property which need to be addressed.
The whole property may require a complete rewire which can involve a great deal of disruption and is better off done when the property is empty.
The Landlord has at least asked if he can carry out the EICR as required by law and it's up to you if you will allow the works to be done before you move out.

Mahsroh

lookstraightahead said:

need_an_answer said:

lookstraightahead said:

We had a check done a few weeks ago. The guy was never in the same room as us and he wore a mask the whole time and we kept fresh air circulating, I personally didn't feel under threat.

How did you view the property you are moving to and can you move in there any earlier? You are going to have to pick up keys and all sorts. 

im surprised they've left it til now to do to be honest - did they try getting access any sooner or was this the first time they've asked? 

I'm  a LL and have had issues with getting these certifications done on my properties....I still have one that needs completing before the deadline.
Multiple issues arise because it was a legislation that was bought in during lockdown with a completion by date of 31st march...every rented property in the country now needs the certification so its not that easy to find electricians who arnt booked up!
Why leave it to the end...well simple answer is the certificate has an expiry after 5 years so naturally everyone is opting to get them done to give maximum time going forward,in a similar vein to an MOT you get that done when its due not 6 months in advance of it expiring.

Yep but you end up with issues if your tenants can't fit in to your last minute timescale or if they are being difficult. It's not really like an MOT as there's no third party. How much does each certificate cost?

We has a call from the electrician before Christmas to book for jan or Feb at a time to suit us and it worked perfectly.

I do think it's unfair on landlords but it's a legal requirement.

As a LL myself I don't think it's unfair. To be honest for years i've wondered why something hasn't been in place already when we do annual gas safety checks (Yes, you could argue that unsafe gas appliances carry a greater safety risk, but electrical installations aren't without their risks either). 

The timing of it however isn't great with COVID etc. I had my report done earlier this month having instructed my letting agent in December, but then some remedial works are required and I initially really struggled to find someone to carry out the remedial works (company that did the EICR via the letting agent gave me a silly quote as per usual) and two other Contractors I spoke to were unavailable due to either isolation or shielding etc. 

Sorted now thankfully and the remedial work should be done next week. But the 28 day rule for remedial works, in the current climate, has made it stressful to say the least. 

Going back to the OP though, I appreciate your concerns with COVID, but if at all possible you really should try and help the LL with access though in this scenario. Just explain your concerns and ask that safety measures (masks, hand sanitizing etc.) are adhered to (they should be doing this anyway). Go for a walk outdoors whilst they're doing it if you're not comfortable being in the house with them then just make sure you wipe down door handles, light switches etc. after they've left. 

Tokmon

HamSoulo said:

Hi

Our LL wants to get an electrician to conduct the EICR testing. We have a valid gas certificate for another 6 months or so, but the electric testing has to happen by 1st April.

We’ve given notice and moving out in the last week of April. We’ve even done remote viewings through WhatsApp and Skype to avoid leaving the house as my partner is a germ magnet.

On top of that, we’ve both came down with a cold/flu,  I wouldn’t expect it’s covid, as we are self-isolating/shielding. This doesn’t help if we have to step out for a good few hours into the cold, as going anywhere indoors is a no-go for us.

How should we respond to our LL so we can safely stay here without exposure to anyone until the move-out date?

Regards
H.S.

Do either of you have a car? Then you can go for a drive and part up somewhere then come back when it's done if you don't want to be there.

Personally i would just open all the windows, wear masks and stay in a different room while it was being carried out. 

leonj

sounds like nonsense to me and that's what is probably sounds like to your landlord too

HamSoulo

moneysavinghero said:

This is your home. You let in who you want to and exclude who you want to. Just tell the LL that he will have to wait a month. Unlikely the LL would be fined as they have attempted to get the EICR done; covid has hampered things; it's only 1 month. They would also have to give the LL 28 days notice to get the work done anyway, which by that time you will be gone and he can get the work done.

Thanks, this helps. I've read up on www.gov.uk about EICR and yes, as long as my LL took reasonable steps to comply he will be fine and we will be fine too.

"We recognise that the restrictions imposed by current measures to minimise the infection risks from COVID-19 may make this more difficult, for example where households are isolating. Under such circumstances, provided the landlord can demonstrate they have taken reasonable steps to comply, they would not be in breach of their legal duties.

Local authorities and other enforcement agencies are aware of guidance for people working in other people’s homes and how this will affect landlords complying with gas and electrical safety requirements. We are encouraging a pragmatic, common-sense approach to enforcement in these unprecedented times."