Part covered socket

[TomTomUK]

Hi,

I have a part covered socket in my kitchen (a rental property). It is a double socket, but only one side of the socket is accessible as the other half is cover by pipe boxing. This small piece of pipe boxing can easily be removed (just chalk holding it to the wall) and is decorative in the kitchen to cover pipework. The pipe boxing is around 2 ft in height and sits on the worktop. The socket is around 10” above the worktop.

I have been advised by an electrician this is “illegal” and will have to be marked on a minor works cert if any further work is done near that circuit. Is this all correct?

Happy to have the socket changed to a single socket, but don’t want the wool pulled over my eyes.

Thanks

 

[Dave OCD]

Nothing illegal about it,just inconvenient and the result of a bodger.

 

[TomTomUK]

Nothing illegal about it,just inconvenient and the result of a bodger.

My exact thoughts, but he mentioned it is illegal as limited direct access (would need to remove a little piece of wooden pipe boxing)

 

[littlespark]

It’s not “illegal” but the electrician is right to bring it to your attention.

It’s only a problem if you have trouble using it, or it needs to be worked on in the future.

Was this electrician in doing work for you or the landlord?

 

[SJD]

It might not meet regulations, but "illegal" is not a term that an electrician should use in this context.

 

[TomTomUK]

Thanks for all the replies so far.

I guess the best cause of action is to change this to a single socket so will organise for that to be done.

 

[James]

You could post a picture.
We like pictures

 

[TomTomUK]

Will get photos ASAP.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The problem you will have is being a double socket the screw fixings are at either end of the back box one will be behind the wooded pipe box, if changing to a single socket you will either need to change the back box or get a back box saver to put in the middle of the double box to screw the plate fixing too, best to get an electrician to change the back box to a single and make good between it and the pipe box.

If you attempt this yourself, do remember to isolate the circuit before removing the socket and make a note of where the cables go.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Just re-read the first post its a rental property, get the landlord to change it, conversely leave it alone, it will make it difficult for any electrician to check the cables, but that's the Landlords problem not yours.

 

[DefyG]

Agree with post #10, not your problem and for the hassle in changing to a single best left as is as 'not illegal' and just treat it as if there is only a single socket for your use.