Landlord EICR advice

[Kurtville]

I have just had an EICR carried out on a property built about 20 yrs ago. I am concerned whether some of this work is necessary, particularly with reference to the RCD on the lighting circuit and the downgrading of the MCB's. We had an EICR 5 years ago and none of these were raised and we have not added anything to the electrical circuits. Also the smoke alarms work but are old is this a reason to declare them a C2 category?

I'm not sure what items 10 to 15 refer to in his list.

If this work is required does the attached quote seem reasonable?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[davek_964]

Smoke alarms have an expiry date on them so if they're past that they need replacing.

Just check they have expired. I was told mine needed replacing when I knew that they didn't. When I followed it up (with the agency) I discovered that the electrician hadn't actually checked the dates on them because 'that's not his job'

[xstian]

It’s difficult to be certain because the description are a little vague, but I doubt any of them warrant a C2.

Looks like a pretty shoddy report to be honest.

[Rough101]

I’d like to know why the 40’s need derated to 32, if it’s 6mm and run in hidden spaces then the last guy should have snagged that.

And if it’s 20 year old Memera, I’m sure the current Eaton MCB’s are approved and fit as they took MEM over.

Although, to be honest as a Landlord I’d want the best modern circuit protection possible for peace of mind and arse covering, including rcbo’s on lighting.

[CharlesElliott]

10 - 15 are the specific inspection items that relate to the 'plain English' descriptions that he has quoted you on, and to justify the rating. For example, item 10 relates to item 8 around replacing the distribution board - which I assume is plastic, and current standard calls for a metal board.

[LooneyTunes]

Did you choose the cheapest sparky you could find for that EICR?

How large is the house?

£75 each to fit smoke detectors? Whilst he’d be there doing other work?

[LooneyTunes]

CharlesElliott said:

10 - 15 are the specific inspection items that relate to the 'plain English' descriptions that he has quoted you on, and to justify the rating. For example, item 10 relates to item 8 around replacing the distribution board - which I assume is plastic, and current standard calls for a metal board.

You don’t need to change for a new one if the existing is safe. The sparky is quoting to replace the board in part because he claims the relevant breakers, that he says are needed to downgrade existing ones, would be hard to get.

For item 4 I’d want a photo and explanation of proposed fix. It sounds like a scary issue but may not actually be so…

[Simpo Two]

LooneyTunes said:

£75 each to fit smoke detectors?

Maybe he used to work at an Aston dealership...

[Frane Selak]

Simpo Two said:

LooneyTunes said:

£75 each to fit smoke detectors?

Maybe he used to work at an Aston dealership...

Aicos are £50+ now, especially the lithium ones which I believe are needed in rentals. They certainly are if a credit meter is fitted because apparently the tenant is more likely to buy fags than electric with their last tenner. The alarms need to keep working for when they burn the house down with the fags they have just bought.

Ah, the life of a council tenant, never a dull moment.