Landlord - Electrical Safety Certificate

[Midwest]

This is what a fire rated IP65 rated LED down light looks like (example);

 

[David Steel]

I am going out for the evening. I will check in over the weekend.

I am very grateful to your replies and help. I will respond to all replies.

At the end of the day, my sister just wants peace of mind that she is legally covered for the electrical safety of the flat (and safety of her brother lol) I'm getting the feeling that unlike the gas, there is no official 'Landlord Electrical Safety' cert and there is a bit of a grey area.

A lot of you are referring to an EICR certificate, which I never got (and paid £100 for an inspection). So this is something I will ask.

I will reply to any other posts over the weekend. Many thanks.

 

[westward10]

Seems like he has jumped a step by not submitting the original Report and then giving you or your sister a chance to discuss your options with him. I would ask for a copy of the original EICR and if it is not forthcoming inform him you will take it up with NAPIT. Unfortunately we are plagued with electricians, and I use the term lightly who see a fuse board which may not comply with current requirements and which is still perfectly servicable and suggest it is replaced.

 

[David Steel]

I am going out for the evening. I will check in over the weekend.

I am very grateful to your replies and help. I will respond to all replies.

At the end of the day, my sister just wants peace of mind that she is legally covered for the electrical safety of the flat (and safety of her brother lol) I'm getting the feeling that unlike the gas, there is no official 'Landlord Electrical Safety' cert and there is a bit of a grey area.

A lot of you are referring to an EICR certificate, which I never got (and paid £100 for an inspection). So this is something I will ask.

I will reply to any other posts over the weekend. Many thanks.

Is that what was supplied & fitted?

No. They did not supply and fit them. They have been in for over 10 years. The electrician initially said these lights had to be replaced with new IP rated lights.

He quoted for the bathroom lights, but then did not go ahead with the job, because they had the wrong lights to replace them (this is another story).

The important point, is the fact that he said that the new fuse box (with it's all-singing circuitry) would supersede the safety of the lights, because the fuse box gives the safety & protection needed.

 

[Midwest]

A halogen GU10 luminaire looks something like this (example again);


Sorry about the sizing, but you'll note how the lamp is recessed.

 

[David Steel]

Seems like he has jumped a step by not submitting the original Report and then giving you or your sister a chance to discuss your options with him. I would ask for a copy of the original EICR and if it is not forthcoming inform him you will take it up with NAPIT. Unfortunately we are plagued with electricians, and I use the term lightly who see a fuse board which may not comply with current requirements and which is still perfectly servicable and suggest it is replaced.

I agree that it is likely he jumped a step by not issuing a EICR.

I am not in a position to say whether the old fuse box was serviceable. What I will say is that I believe the box was decades old and it was covered in rust.

 

[David Steel]

A halogen GU10 luminaire looks something like this (example again);


Sorry about the sizing, but you'll note how the lamp is recessed.

Yes, I will look at this soon.

My sister and I agree, that the bathroom lights will probably need changing soon.

 

[Midwest]

No. They did not supply and fit them. They have been in for over 10 years. The electrician initially said these lights had to be replaced with new IP rated lights.

He quoted for the bathroom lights, but then did not go ahead with the job, because they had the wrong lights to replace them (this is another story).

The important point, is the fact that he said that the new fuse box (with it's all-singing circuitry) would supersede the safety of the lights, because the fuse box gives the safety & protection needed.

Arrgh, I see. No those fittings do not look suitable to be installed in a bathroom, in a zone or otherwise IMO. But that is a separate matter, to be dealt with separately.
Edit; need a drink!

 

[telectrix]

while your new all singing dancing CU vastly improves safety, esp. in a bathroom, it will not stop steam getting in those lights, esp halogens which run very hot and have been known to explode, showering whoever is in the bath with shards of hot glass. IP44 or better IP55 with LED, either GU10s or fully integrated is the way forward. the integrated ones look a heap better.

 

[westward10]

There is every chance your existing board needed replacing and no one is doubting you now have improved circuit protection. The way to procure this suggested replacement is to itemise so many issues in the EICR that the remedial solution is to replace it.

 

[Octopus]

I'm guessing he's been paid................ but to charge £100 and not provide the unsatisfactory EICR, then charge £450 for a board change ........... did this include upgrades to earthing and bonding?

Do you have the EIC? Has he promised a Part P certificate?

So in summary, you are £550 down, and have nothing to present to the letting agents........

 

[Midwest]

Its all been stated, perhaps allow OP to contact the electrician

 

[b-spark]

Being a electrician and in the letting game, I can say if its registered with building regs. You are 100% legal, legally its gas and portable appliances which have regular inspections. Your condition report is only good until change of occupant. Ie you move out. It does sound like you have been misled on the first inspection, this could have been sold as a "visual inspection only" either way you would receive paperwork on that. By the sounds of it you will get to the bottom of it.

 

[davesparks]

Being a electrician and in the letting game, I can say if its registered with building regs. You are 100% legal, legally its gas and portable appliances which have regular inspections.

Please can you clarify exactly what you mean by being registered with building regs? Building regs are documents, nothing more.
Also please specify which laws require regular inspections of gas and portable appliances?

 

[b-spark]

Please can you clarify exactly what you mean by being registered with building regs? Building regs are documents, nothing more.
Also please specify which laws require regular inspections of gas and portable appliances?

I did respond Dave with a reply, "wouldn't post" This is HSE territory regardless of letting portfolio. I would go on to explain further. "Regs" my error, building control being the collective word. If its registered then legally the landlord has mitigated the risk. As we all know a fuseboard would require a full certificate of tested circuits. My old company was involved with these matters. which the HSE used such information to put a case forward involving a major contractor.