Who should do new electric works in a rented property

kinger101

Are they replacing existing sockets, or installing new ones.

There might be some making good to do if it's the latter.  Or they may go for the cheap and ugly option of trunking.  I'd be a bit more involved.

theartfullodger

Any landlord who let tenants do work in a property usually need help and/or prescriptions. Especially leccy stuff.

silvercar

kinger101 said:

silvercar said:

Why do they need extra sockets?

How else are they going to plug in the lamps for their cannabis farm?

That was my concern.

Yorkie1

If you don't end up using your own sparky to do it, then would suggest you specify in writing exactly what it is you are granting permission for - location, number and type of sockets, whether surface mounted or recessed, whether trunking or not, making good etc. That way, there's reduced scope for surprises.

WIAWSNB

tallac said:

They want new sockets installed in a location that does not already have sockets. What they are asking for is reasonable and understand their desire to have sockets in that specific location. I also think this could be useful for future tenants hence being okay to share the cost.

I just wanted to make sure that everything was done in a way that is appropriate. I.e. as a landlord, I have to make sure the work is carried out by a qualified electrician and I have the appropriate certificate to confirm that it has been done in this way. It's entirely possible the tenants (tenants in general, not this specific tenants) will get the job done by whoever is cheaper whether they are qualified or not.

You are being very reasonable, which is good to see.

Although it's highly unlikely the tenants want to 'indoor farm'*, you do need to carry out due diligence. You reckon you know where they want these new sockets? And their reasoning is fair enough? And you'll check this after the work is completed (unless the next inspection is coming up in any case?).

So, as before, you can give your approval, but explain what the requirements are. If it's a decent property in good decorative order, then it's more important that cables are channelled and finished off to a pro standard, and the walls repainted - ie, no surface or ducted runs, unless that's how the existing flat is.

Then it's the certifying aspect. It obvs must be.
I suggest two options - they name their chosen sparky, which you then vet to ensure you are happy, or they have to use yours, in which case if you are happy to cover the additional cost for this, that is kind of you.



*They wouldn't have bothered asking you!

tallac

Thinking about it more, I'd definitely want to be the one who is instructing the electrician because if there's any issues or follow up work then their contract is with me. This also means that I directly get the invoice and the issued certificates. If the tenants instruct the electrician (with my approval) then there could be issues with the electrician if there's follow up work especially if the electrician states that I was not their customer.

So, if am the one who instructs the electrician, and I've agreed with the tenants to go halves with the cost, is it reasonable to ask the tenants to pay their half directly to the electrician? The tenants paying their half via the landlord (my family members) will surely have negative tax implications no?

In summary, does this seem correct and fair:

1. Tenants either use an electrician that I am happy with or they suggest their own electrician that I am happy with
2. I instruct the electrician to do the work (so I am the customer of the electrician). This ensures that the invoice and certificates go to me and I can directly arrange any follow up work if required. If the tenants want a copy of the invoice or certificate for their own records then I'm happy to provide that so no issue there.
3. The tenants pay their agreed share of the cost with the electrician directly.

Jumblebumble

tallac said:

I help manage the landlording for family members and the tenants have recently asked if it would be okay to get new mains sockets installed for convenience. They are willing to pay and were asking for permission.

I have no issue with this and only requested that they use a qualified electrician who would issue an appropriate certificate (EIC or minor electrical works certificate) rather than using Mr "No qualifications whatsoever" Handy Man. And that I get to give final approval their selected person has a plan for where and how they'd be routing the cable (so I can make sure any drilling or routing is reasonably sensible).

The tenants are reasonably good people and not caused issues.

Q1: But then I thought, should I be allowing tenants to make these kind of alterations or should it be done via the landlord?

Q2: What if they're willing to pay, does that change things or is it a bad idea to have the tenant pay for such things?

Q3: If they did pay, is it acceptable for me to ask for a copy of the issued certificate?

Any advice would be great on how best to handle the situation.

What ever happens and who ever pays  you need a copy of the certificate
I would be entering into the contract with the sparky myself, paying the sparky  and asking the tenants to reimburse me on the basis that if the sparky for what ever reason gets paid but you don't get the certificate you may well be in  deep trouble