Rented flat, unsafe electrics. What can be done?
Discussion
My son is renting a flat, and I discovered on my first visit that although the flat has an electric shower and heated towel rail etc. it still has fuses with NO RCD.
The landlady is refusing to do anything about the electrics.
Is there some organisation that oversees such things to ensure electrical compliance?
The landlady is refusing to do anything about the electrics.
Is there some organisation that oversees such things to ensure electrical compliance?
If your son is in England, then the Landlord has to comply with the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
Contact the Agent, or if no Agent involved then get your son to point the Landlord to the following:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electri...
Contact the Agent, or if no Agent involved then get your son to point the Landlord to the following:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electri...
When was the house built/last rewired?
If the house was originally wired with a fuse box and the wiring is still safe then it does not have to have RCD fitted retrospectively, although if the house was being built or rewired now then it would need RCDs.
Was the tenant issued with an electrical safety report when they moved in, this IS a legal requirement.?
If the house was originally wired with a fuse box and the wiring is still safe then it does not have to have RCD fitted retrospectively, although if the house was being built or rewired now then it would need RCDs.
Was the tenant issued with an electrical safety report when they moved in, this IS a legal requirement.?
Coin-Slot said:
NGee said:
Was the tenant issued with an electrical safety report when they moved in, this IS a legal requirement.?
Not prior to tenancies issued before June 2020 (unless HMO), hence my earlier question.Edited by 98elise on Monday 21st December 14:36
TonyRPH said:
My son is renting a flat, and I discovered on my first visit that although the flat has an electric shower and heated towel rail etc. it still has fuses with NO RCD.
The landlady is refusing to do anything about the electrics.
Is there some organisation that oversees such things to ensure electrical compliance?
As others have said there isn't a requirement to retrofit an RCD. If the house was built that way, and any additions comply with the rules at the relevant time then it could well be certified safe.The landlady is refusing to do anything about the electrics.
Is there some organisation that oversees such things to ensure electrical compliance?
I have a number of BTL's and all have electric showers and no RCD's it was just the way they were originally built. Mine are all being certified in January, but I'm taking to opportunity to replace all the consumer units anyway as the electrician is already there.
Thanks for all the replies.
I think it was after June when he moved (just waiting for him to confirm).
It's not a house but a flat (very old converted mill) but I doubt that makes any difference?
As for judging it to be unsafe - that's just my own opinion based on the apparent age of the wiring and the lack of any MCBs (it's all fuses) - I seem to recall there was a single MCB which *may* have been on the main incomer (I didn't have my glasses with me so was unable to examine it in detail).
I think it was after June when he moved (just waiting for him to confirm).
It's not a house but a flat (very old converted mill) but I doubt that makes any difference?
As for judging it to be unsafe - that's just my own opinion based on the apparent age of the wiring and the lack of any MCBs (it's all fuses) - I seem to recall there was a single MCB which *may* have been on the main incomer (I didn't have my glasses with me so was unable to examine it in detail).
Since June 1st 2020 new regulations have come into force that require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected at least every 5 years and tested by a person who is qualified and competent. This applies to all tenancies that started from July 1st 2020.
Local authorities will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations and can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 if they find a landlord is in breach of their duty.
All tenancies will require an EICR report by April 2021. I am in the process of trying to get this sorted for one of mine. The property does not need to comply to the latest regulations, it just needs to be deemed safe.
I have a feeling that with the type of consumer unit in your son has, it will fail.
Local authorities will be responsible for enforcing the new regulations and can impose a financial penalty of up to £30,000 if they find a landlord is in breach of their duty.
All tenancies will require an EICR report by April 2021. I am in the process of trying to get this sorted for one of mine. The property does not need to comply to the latest regulations, it just needs to be deemed safe.
I have a feeling that with the type of consumer unit in your son has, it will fail.
Since a landlord/agent has a duty of care, there is neither no substitute to reading through the whole guidelines, link below, and/or if in doubt having a new inspection of the electrics carried out.
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 is in force from June 2020 and applies for all new qualifying tenancies from July 2020. With no additional grace period for Covid-19 allowed.
Prior to the above regulation, there was also the updated in 2019 of the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
What many landlords may not realise, is that a statutory periodic tenancy creates a NEW term of a tenancy, and it could be argued a new tenancy agreement. See above NEW qualifying tenancies from July 2020.
I have had all my rental properties inspected, with replacement of consumer boxes, wiring for electric showers, from 6m to 10m wiring, renewing enclosed ceiling lights in shower/bathroom.
The OP's should consider asking the landlady to view the electrical certificate, if refused, then making enquiries with the local council's Private Housing Environmental officer.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electri...
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 is in force from June 2020 and applies for all new qualifying tenancies from July 2020. With no additional grace period for Covid-19 allowed.
Prior to the above regulation, there was also the updated in 2019 of the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
What many landlords may not realise, is that a statutory periodic tenancy creates a NEW term of a tenancy, and it could be argued a new tenancy agreement. See above NEW qualifying tenancies from July 2020.
I have had all my rental properties inspected, with replacement of consumer boxes, wiring for electric showers, from 6m to 10m wiring, renewing enclosed ceiling lights in shower/bathroom.
The OP's should consider asking the landlady to view the electrical certificate, if refused, then making enquiries with the local council's Private Housing Environmental officer.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electri...
98elise said:
TonyRPH said:
My son is renting a flat, and I discovered on my first visit that although the flat has an electric shower and heated towel rail etc. it still has fuses with NO RCD.
The landlady is refusing to do anything about the electrics.
Is there some organisation that oversees such things to ensure electrical compliance?
As others have said there isn't a requirement to retrofit an RCD. If the house was built that way, and any additions comply with the rules at the relevant time then it could well be certified safe.The landlady is refusing to do anything about the electrics.
Is there some organisation that oversees such things to ensure electrical compliance?
I have a number of BTL's and all have electric showers and no RCD's it was just the way they were originally built. Mine are all being certified in January, but I'm taking to opportunity to replace all the consumer units anyway as the electrician is already there.
Manufacturers instructions overrule regs.
Anyone that has one without, is quite frankly, irresponsible.
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