Property survey- electricity rating 3

User4search

Hi guys
Please can you advise on below . Thanks
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 Electricity is supplied via an underground cable, which is connected to the single phase meter which is in the cupboard in the hallway.The installation was inspected visually to the extent sufficient to form an overall opinion of the type of installation, the materials used, its apparent age, its visible condition and the need for further investigations.From the meter, cable runs out to the plastic Memera consumer unit (fuse box) which is also in the cupboard. This contains the main on/off switch, and is fitted with MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) for each individual circuit that automatically switch off when 

they sense a fault or overload. Once the fault has been remedied, the MCB can be 

switched back on to complete the circuit again.Aspects of the electrical installation do give me cause for concern.

The consumer unit lacks the important safety feature of residual current devices (RCDs) which are now considered essential in new electrical installations.

A residual current device is designed to quickly disconnect the electricity supply to prevent serious harm from an ongoing electric shock caused by earth faults. RCDs offer a level of personal protection that miniature circuit breakers cannot provide.

As mentioned the consumer unit is plastic, these are still commonly found in homes 

across the UK, as it is not illegal to have one, but they are not considered as safe as 

metal.Extension leads were being used which indicates that there are insufficient sockets, the use of extension leads can present a variety of hazards and should be avoided.

Although I do not know the extent of the works you should plan for if not a complete rewire some upgrading of the electrical installation.
It is essential that the installation is tested by a qualified electrician prior to legal 

completion, the electrician should provide you with a report and estimate for identified works.

You can find a registered electrician through the Electrical Competent Persons Scheme.The online register lists registered electricians from a variety of scheme providers, all fully insured and regulated to complete notifiable work.

New wiring regulations came into force on 1st January 2019, and although not retrospective 'competent persons' are likely to follow the new provisions when inspecting existing installations.

Additional information.

Electrical installations should only be replaced or modified by a competent person.Nowadays a modern household probably needs four of five double switched socket outlets (DSSOs) for each bedroom, six or seven each for kitchens and living rooms, and one in the hallway and on the landing.

A condition rating 3

fiveacre

Electrics are old but not very old. Condition rating 3 is ridiculous in my opinion - a bit of a leap from a consumer unit replacement to say it needs a complete rewire, and who doesn't use extension leads?

As per your gas safety question, you can get a comprehensive electrical report (EICR) for about £150 depending on the size of the house. This will detail exactly what needs doing to bring the installation up to current standards - although not being up to today's standards doesn't mean it's inherently unsafe.

AdrianC

fiveacre said:

Condition rating 3 is ridiculous in my opinion

Bog standard. Surveyors aren't sparkies.

fiveacre

AdrianC said:

Bog standard. Surveyors aren't sparkies.

Absolutely, and of course they have to cover themselves, just makes people nervous unnecessarily when it's described as "defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently". Should be a new rating that is uninvestigated/don't know.

goodwithsaving

Gas and Electric are always a '3'. Useless surveys.

User4search

Thanks for all inputs.  so I would consider it  rating 2 rather than thann 3 as got to check n fix over the time , not immediately 

goodwithsaving

Ratings are meaningless. Things work or they don't. Don't fret about it.

Blue_bell_20

Oh we just bought a house and didn’t get the electrics tested. Two weeks after buying we modernised the fuse box- going from 1980s screw in fuses to an rcd. The electrician also fitted three wall lights for us (wiring already existed that was hidden), and he also changed any metal sockets to plastic because they were not earthed. Cost us £420 all in. We asked him if the house needed rewiring and he said from what he had seen it was fine. We still need to change many sockets to have on/off switches- but this is not a priority. 

Blue_bell_20

All of our changes were our choice. We didn’t ask for any money off. Tbf unless an electrician said it needed a whole rewrite we wouldn’t have renegotiated. We left it as an element of surprise, although I think I would have paid the £150 eicr  in hindsight to know what is needed.

davilown

Could you put all your queries on one thread please - that way you’ll get the best advice and guidance in one place

AdrianC

Blue_bell_20 said:

...and he also changed any metal sockets to plastic because they were not earthed.

I strongly suspect some chinese whispers here.