Landlords

Electricalserv · Apr 2, 2011

Had a phone call from a landlord this morning. Asking me to come and look at some lights in one of his flats.

Said cables had been damaged by water from leak in above flat. Lights are still working but water is dripping from ceiling rose. Told him straight away to isolate circuit. Usual questions how much will it cost to fix etc......

Told him wasn't sure cables may need to be rewired as Insulation may have deteriorated etc. Would have to do a few test on the circuit.

He then said..."well can't you just dry the cables and replace the fitting, Im not forking out on a new ceiling and lighting over abit a water" Insurance?

Just shows the mentality of these people.

MarkieSparkie · Apr 2, 2011

Sounds like the typical 'Rigsby'.

Raking in the rents, but reluctant to spend a bean on maintenance.

thekingiam · Apr 2, 2011

would of told him if he wants to do that then do it himself as he knows everything and it would be cheaper, but he has to take the risk of killing someone and getting locked up for manslaughter
But if he wanted the problem fixed properly by a profesional electrician then the problem has to be assesed and made safe whatever the costs may be.
my hourly rates are ....

bugsy · Apr 2, 2011

I think I would have quoted a rewire of the circuit ( £350.00 ) but then offered to dry out the cables ( if it had'nt shorted leaving deposits) and replace fitting test IR and if all ok charge him £150.00

SirKit Breaker · Apr 2, 2011

I take great pleasure informing Landlords about their obligations to their tenants under the Landlord and Tenants act, The housing act, the electricity at work regulations, the health and safety at work act. Their faces are a picture, then once they grasp all that, i then inform them that in Leeds non compliance usually carries a fine of about £25,000 for each non conformance which is not addressed with 7 days. All of a sudden they realise that a PIR at 2 or 300 quid doesn't seem quite so expensive.

Had this same conversation with a landlord last week, he said correctly that "having the wiring checked every 5 years is only advisory". I agreed, but then i told him he should read any one or all of the above in bed tonight. I am doing the PIR this coming week.

Cheers..........Howard