Sockets & Sinks - The Law?

Susie Nathan · Mar 18, 2019

I'm renting a flat and just before I moved in the landlord got some cowboys in to tosh up the paint work, lay some cheap vinyl flooring and a new kitchen was installed. However, the kitchen wiring is a concern. In summary, fridge, washing machine, oven, hob and extractor are all running from the oven switch, via cables, through junction boxes to extensions etc. All laid under the kitchen units, in a galley style layout. The fridge and washing machine are plugged into a twin socket extension lead positioned directly under the sink and the cupboard beneath.

Please can someone advise me whether this is against Building Regs, H&S etc.

Despite the original extension overloading and the fuse of the washing machine blowing, the landlords electrician replaced the extension like for like.

Plus, I've yet to see an Electrical Safety Certificate....I've asked, asked, asked again....

[ElectriciansForums.net] Sockets & Sinks - The Law?

telectrix · Mar 18, 2019

complete bodge. get the buggers back to do it right.

Pete999 · Mar 18, 2019

telectrix said:
complete bodge. get the buggers back to do it right.

Any paper work issued by Bob the Builder? do what Tel suggests, get the Butcher back to do the install correctly, if no action I would suggest Trading standards as your first port of call, the job is a complete bodge up. a disgrace, if you get nil joy with TS, name and shame the Builder.

Deleted account · Mar 18, 2019

Hi Susie,
you are quite correct to be concerned. First you should voice your concerns with the landlord.
Put it in writing. Keep it polite and to the point. Just state you are concerned with the wiring and want reasurance that all is safe. Keep a copy of letter.

Next stage if things are not rectified. Contact local authority.

Don't delay in this, do it straight away. Give your landlord a little time to respond and rectify. If nothing has happened in 3 weeks then contact local authority.

Your land lord has a legal duty of care to ensure the property is safe for occupation.

Good luck.

Dustydazzler · Mar 18, 2019

TOTAL LASH UP

Pete999 · Mar 18, 2019

Dustydazzler said:
TOTAL LASH UP

Typical Builder, as long as it all works, all is OK , Not, Message to builders, don't mess with something you don't understand.

littlespark · Mar 18, 2019

The “extension” that has been replaced looks like a proper 13A socket, on a pattress box and fed by 2.5mm t&e
Apart from it being untidy, not secure and not in the right place, electrically, it will cope fine with a fridge freezer and washing machine plugged in.

The original might have just been old, and socket didn’t have a good grip of the plug pin.

How do you mean, supplied from the oven switch?

Is there an electrician you know or someone that can have a look at it for you, to give you an idea of what to say to the landlord?

buzzlightyear · Mar 18, 2019

who's in the smoke that can look at the work for this lady ,artful dodger

SWD maybe .

telectrix · Mar 18, 2019

buzzlightyear said:
who's in the smoke that can look at the work for this lady ,artful dodger View attachment 48370 SWD maybe .

think she's got enough problems already.

. i do like the pic of SWD as a child though.

Dustydazzler · Mar 18, 2019

She should give youtube legend Thomas Nagy a bell.....

PEG · Mar 19, 2019

Littlespark got it spot-on.
The local authority are not usually even mildly interested...unless bodies are being removed

and would literally allow socket outlets to be mounted IN the sink....as long as it was above the overflow

GLENNSPARK · Mar 20, 2019

Susie Nathan said:
I'm renting a flat and just before I moved in the landlord got some cowboys in to tosh up the paint work, lay some cheap vinyl flooring and a new kitchen was installed. However, the kitchen wiring is a concern. In summary, fridge, washing machine, oven, hob and extractor are all running from the oven switch, via cables, through junction boxes to extensions etc. All laid under the kitchen units, in a galley style layout. The fridge and washing machine are plugged into a twin socket extension lead positioned directly under the sink and the cupboard beneath.

Please can someone advise me whether this is against Building Regs, H&S etc.

Despite the original extension overloading and the fuse of the washing machine blowing, the landlords electrician replaced the extension like for like.

Plus, I've yet to see an Electrical Safety Certificate....I've asked, asked, asked again....

View attachment 48368

Sorry to have to break it to you lass...but your landlord's a cheapskate...

As has been said...get it in writing to him...
Keep a copy of any letters you send...

static zap · Mar 20, 2019

Dustydazzler said:
TOTAL LASH UP

Bob the builder , or Kev the Kitchen fitter ?

GLENNSPARK · Mar 20, 2019

static zap said:
Bob the builder , or Kev the Kitchen fitter ?

Aye...
Kev kitchen...
Barry bathroom fitter...
Justin joinery man...

Etc etc..

Susie Nathan · Mar 22, 2019

Thanks guys. So it's generally poor, shoddy, cheapness. Yet its not technically breaking the law?? Am I right?

buzzlightyear · Mar 22, 2019

That is correct ,but the landlord is libal if anything goes wrong .
he is responsible for your safety.

buzzlightyear · Mar 22, 2019

That is correct ,but the landlord is libal if anything goes wrong .
he is responsible for you safety.

Andy78 · Mar 22, 2019

Susie Nathan said:
Thanks guys. So it's generally poor, shoddy, cheapness. Yet its not technically breaking the law?? Am I right?

Your landlord has a legal responsibility to provide and maintain a safe electrical system and a legal duty of care to all residents and visitors of the property.

Michaelwgroves · Mar 23, 2019

Susie Nathan said:
Thanks guys. So it's generally poor, shoddy, cheapness. Yet its not technically breaking the law?? Am I right?

If your flat is not purpose built it might be classed as a HMO (Housing act 2004-Part3). If it is, your landlord must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). If not, it's not legally required now, but will be for all new tenancies later this year and all tenancies next year. Ask your local HMO officer if you are not sure, it's different in each council. Being curious by nature, he might want to take a look.
Another good bit of legislation is the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, which came into force on 20 March 2019.
This will help stop landlords renting unfit properties.

mr. shr · Mar 23, 2019

Does the cooker switch have a socket on it?
I thought the cooker switch circuit is to supply the cooker only. I didn't think it was allowed to supply other appliances in the kitchen?

GLENNSPARK · Mar 23, 2019

mr. shr said:
Does the cooker switch have a socket on it?
I thought the cooker switch circuit is to supply the cooker only. I didn't think it was allowed to supply other appliances in the kitchen?

So...
What your saying...is you wouldn't pick both a cooker AND a hob off it...?
(assuming it meets loading requirements etc)

mr. shr · Mar 23, 2019

If done correctly then cooker and hob can be part of the same cooking circuit yes.
But OP has fridge and washing machine also supplied from cooker circuit.
I didn't think that was allowed.

GeorgeCooke · Mar 23, 2019

mr. shr said:
If done correctly then cooker and hob can be part of the same cooking circuit yes.
But OP has fridge and washing machine also supplied from cooker circuit.
I didn't think that was allowed.

A cooker switch frequently has a socket combined with it. Ostensibly for a kettle, but there is no rule to say it can't be something else, such as a 2 way adapter feeding a fridge and washing machine.

GLENNSPARK · Mar 26, 2019

GeorgeCooke said:
A cooker switch frequently has a socket combined with it. Ostensibly for a kettle, but there is no rule to say it can't be something else, such as a 2 way adapter feeding a fridge and washing machine.

The poor little lamb simply doesn't understand the virtues of outlets and plug tops to BS1363...

Susie Nathan · Jul 29, 2020

Susie Nathan said:
I'm renting a flat and just before I moved in the landlord got some cowboys in to tosh up the paint work, lay some cheap vinyl flooring and a new kitchen was installed. However, the kitchen wiring is a concern. In summary, fridge, washing machine, oven, hob and extractor are all running from the oven switch, via cables, through junction boxes to extensions etc. All laid under the kitchen units, in a galley style layout. The fridge and washing machine are plugged into a twin socket extension lead positioned directly under the sink and the cupboard beneath.

Please can someone advise me whether this is against Building Regs, H&S etc.

Despite the original extension overloading and the fuse of the washing machine blowing, the landlords electrician replaced the extension like for like.

Plus, I've yet to see an Electrical Safety Certificate....I've asked, asked, asked again....

View attachment 48368

So a year later and no action from landlord until now....

I have an 'Electrical Safety Certificate' inspection booked for the 26th August.

Any tips on how to approach the electrician and explain the seriously dodgy setup without sounding like I know nothing..........

Since last posting, the hob and hood fuses blew, we worked out the problem and changed these ourselves.

I've also had a HUGE electricity bill totally £1500 for 18 months. My concern is that it's a studio flat! I'm convinced I'm supplying the electricity for the communal internal and external areas and possibly elsewhere too. How can I tell if my suspicions are right?

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