house buying

snak · Oct 16, 2012

Hey im a domestic installer electrician and my friend has asked me to test a house that she is buying no problem there. Apart from the obvious as in testing to make sure that everything is electrically safe with earthing, fusing, etc. Are there any other building/electrical regs it must meet to be able to sell it i.e 17th edition board mcbs rcds etc . As far as i know its an old building but the wiring might be fine but there could be a rewirable fuseboard there. Does this mean as long as im not carrying out any work and everything tests out ok i can issue a certificate saying that it is safe but i recommend having a new fuseboard installed or does it mean to be eligible to sell it must be brought up to standards before the sale can take place any help would be great thanks.

AndyL · Oct 16, 2012

Depends on what your friend is asking for, does she want to know how much it is going to cost to bring it up to current standards ( to be used in agreeing house purshase price), or does she just want to know it is safe to use.
EICR is to be completed and this just tells you it is safe for continued use

snak · Oct 16, 2012

I think she just wants to know that its safe but i just wanted to make sure that i wasnt gonna be breaking any laws by doing this and there was some legislation that must be followed.

Paul.M · Oct 16, 2012

have a look at this Periodic inspection : Electrical Safety Council

Its an EICR, all because it is not an 17th ed board does not mean that it has to be replaced. You need to establish that the fuse's protecting the circuits are correct size and that disconnection times are made. Make sure the cables are the correct size and are in good order for continued use. The list is not endless, these are just a couple of the basics. If the old board is within the safety readings then its up to the customer to decide if they want to upgrade so to say, otherwise all you can do is recommend it.

telectrix · Oct 16, 2012

as long as you are competent to test/inspect. and as long as the fuse protection is correct, there's nothing wrong with a 3036 board code C3. make sure the fuse cover is in place and that the correct fuse wire is fitted. obviously earthing and bonding must be checked. any lack of either is a code C1 or at best a C2.

snak · Oct 16, 2012

o.K thats good yeah im 2391 and domestic installer just sometimes the best way to be sure is to ask spec when in its not an installation certificate ok so if i go there and say there is no bonding to gas or water then this would have to be done right before they could sell the house or is this something that would have to be put down and put right when work in the house is next carried out.