rented and ropey

[chris-]

I have just moved into a rented accomidation and have noticed that the electrics are a bit naff,

1) no earth to most lights
2) cracked dimmer switch
3) smashed socket in hall so the 3 pins kind of look like 1 massive pin, this is my main problem as i have a 16 month old son who is into everything
4) no coloured sleeving on cables
5) with most light pendants you can see the red and black cables as flex has shrank or been cut short.
6) two of the bed rooms did not even have a lamp in the pendant.

This property was supposed to of had a periodic inspection which i have just asked the landlord to see.
I would have marked c1 for a couple.
i am going to make it safe myself but I would be ashamed to rent a house out in this condition.
reason we moved in was we had sold our flat and had less than a week to find another place in a good area.

 

[kingeri]

Why would you put this right yourself? It's not up to you to do that, I'd be kicking up a fuss with the landlord. Maybe he can pay you to do it (assuming you're a spark)?

 

[trev]

The amount of dangerous crap work I've seen in some rented places over the years would make your teeth curl mate so this doesn't surprise me. Have you spoken to your landlord with respect to getting paid for this work. I know your priority is your little lads safety but I don't see why you should make his place safer for free. If he refuses to pay you go and see environmental health at your local council. I believe they have the power to order himto get the work done in a specified time period, if he won't pay you he should pay someone.

 

[chris-]

yes i am a spark but if i do the work and sign it off i may be able to talk him in to getting rid of the old "hot air blowing dust round the house through old vents" heating system or double glasing. i love the fact that there is 1 or two single sockets in each bedroom but three whole single sockets in the livingroom

 

[manda]

Trev is right. A friend of mine moved into a private rented place a few years back. Sockets hanging off walls, cables poking out etc. She had kiddies and got on to the landlord to improve it. He tried to refuse so she got on to the local council and he was forced to improve it rapid. She moved out anyhow as the guy was obviously a fleecing piece of effluence. But you shouldn't be doing this out of your own pocket.

 

[Spazz]

Dont do anything in rental properties out of your own pocket unless you have the landlords permission first.
I did this in my property changed all sockets to new sockets (20 in total) now the landlord is kicking a fuss and wants them all put back. The sockets where non BS1363 compliant.

Also did the CU as well (at her request) and she refused to pay me - paid now because I took it out of my rent the month after.

Short Story - the landlord can demand that you put everything back to how it was when you moved in.

Always get confirmation in writing.

 

[kingeri]

Or find somewhere else to live!

A tenant is a customer, why do landlords so often think they can treat them like cr@p?

 

[chris-]

i have already gone down the route of everything in writing as the painter didnt turn up through crossed wires, pardon the electrical pun

. y

Dont do anything in rental properties out of your own pocket unless you have the landlords permission first.
I did this in my property changed all sockets to new sockets (20 in total) now the landlord is kicking a fuss and wants them all put back. The sockets where non BS1363 compliant.

Also did the CU as well (at her request) and she refused to pay me - paid now because I took it out of my rent the month after.

Short Story - the landlord can demand that you put everything back to how it was when you moved in.

Always get confirmation in writing.

 

[Guest111]

waste of time thinking that if you sort a few minor electric issues that he will do heating or windows,if he can,t bother with something obvious like damaged accessories he aint going to bother with heating or windows.