Electrical advice - Landlord certificate EICR

[Austin_Metro]

Hi, I'd appreciate a steer from someone qualified please ...

An EICR check for a one bedroom flat has come back with a "unsatisfactory" and 2 C2 ratings (see below):

The fail came with a quote, and the fix that they are quoting for is:

"Supply and install 18th edition dual RCD fuseboard with meter tails." (for £1300 - zone 1/2 London - £400 materials and 650 ish labour and VAT)

The existing Fuseboard is not that old (5 years?) - but it is plastic and I think the 18th are all metal - is that right? Do the EICR require an 18th board?

The internet tell me that a Fuseboard to 18th is less than £200 - what other materials are there?

Thanks in advance, Austin

CERT SAYS

4.18 RCD(s) provided for fault protection - includes RCBOs (411.4.204; 411.5.2; 531.2) is in a
potentially dangerous condition. Urgent remedial action is required. - C2

4.19 RCD(s) provided for additional protection/requirements - includes RCBOs (411.3.3; 415.1)
is in a potentially dangerous condition. Urgent remedial action is required. - C2

[Austin_Metro]

Thank you. That’s helpful information.

[Austin_Metro]

This is the current one. No pun intended.

What do the two C2 comments actually mean? That i don’t have rcd’s or the ones I have are faulty? I don’t know an rcd, from an rcbo...

Could I just get an rcd and put it into this board and then pass?

Any further guidance welcome

Ps - just read first replies again, I’m tempted to ask what it is that is wrong ... could be faulty rather than not at rcd??

Edited by Austin_Metro on Monday 14th September 17:57

[Austin_Metro]

Thanks both.

I'm not that keen on the £1288 quoted for a swap. They want £480 for the materials and a unit seems to be less than £200 on Toolstation. Daz, why do you favour replacement out of interest - just because it looks old and might as well do it properly first time?

I'm providing parking so that's not a problem!

[Austin_Metro]

Is that legible?

[Austin_Metro]

Circuit 2 is the RCD. I think!

[Austin_Metro]

Alucidnation said:

You could always do it yourself op?

Even cheaper!


Seriously, that does seem steep, so i am going with the fact he doesn't want to do it, and is probably making a killing on EICRs now.

(I am).

I thought about 'having a go' but as the whole scheme is about electrical safety it seemed likely that an unskilled amateur would not be the answer!



ps ETA - I think they do want to do it, they are targeting this sector and can charge a decent whack in this market

Edited by Austin_Metro on Monday 14th September 20:55

[Austin_Metro]

Teddy Lop said:

+1. Listed items are not necesarily fault descriptors. Ask exactly what's wrong and why, in laymens terms. I do it for everyone out of courtesy.

Regs are not retro-active, so long as the installation complies with the regs in force when it was done that's fine. That said landlords are "advised" to RCD everything to cover ass, but that's liabilities rather than electrical regs compliance.

What did he have to say about some clodhopper shoehorning a wylex breaker into a hagar board, or the sodding great gaps where blanking panels are missing?

I may ask for the layman's version tomorrow.

As for the gaps, and the shoe-horning ... not directly mentioned unless covered by these C3s:

4.3 Condition of enclosure(s) in terms of IP rating etc (416.2) N/A C3
4.4 Condition of enclosure(s) in terms of fire rating etc (421.1.201; 526.5) N/A C3

Thanks all, Austin.

[Austin_Metro]

Bumblebee7 said:

I oversee refurbishments for landlords in London for a living. A typical consumer unit replacement including an EICR is £650 + VAT. Meter tails will add a bit on top of that. I'm not saying this is the cheapest price available (by any stretch) but this as a company is a fair price we've devised for our landlords that is applicable 90% of the time.

Looking at the consumer unit that is definitely older than 5 years old, I would personally upgrade to the new one. I probably wouldn't in my own home but when it comes to your responsibilities as a landlord I always personally prefer to be over cautious. All of my BTL's have had a full rewire when I've bought them so I have complete peace of mind for the future and I know no dodgy cable joining etc. has been done behind walls/ceilings.

Get a second quote for the work, and do it would be my advice.

Thanks BB. I am getting a second quote to replace with an 18th edn metal case one. That’s definitely the advice of the PM collective, too, for which I am grateful.

Out of interest, what scale of refurbs do you look after?