Renting property - VIR (Rubber Cable) - EICR, is this allowable if pass tests?

[Rockingit]

The answer is that it needs replacing, irrespective of appearances.

The purpose of an EICR is to assess if an installation is fit and safe for continued use and the very fact that VIR is widely recognised as being unfit for continued service informs that answer.

 

[Teddy Lop]

If tyres have a safe design life (for the sake of argument ) of say 10 years and you have a car with 30+ year old tyres that "look ok" is that fine? If those tyres are on the car of your daughters boyfriend will it probably be alright? Or, the car she hires on holiday, is that okay?

I don't mean the above to sound hyperbole but especially when offering a service people pay for you have to consider how some might view things after the event.

Personally I've tested and found VIR in reasonable condition but I'll only sign it off for 1-2 years.

 

[DefyG]

Of course any short can cause a fire but not going to be pulling 30 amps

Any 'short' or partial 'short' irrespective of circuit current can cause arcing and a fire to develop.

I don't think any 'bona fide' electrician will sign off an EICR as Satisfactory as it is, making it unsafe to rent!

As the landlord surely you have a duty of care to prospective renters to make sure the property they move into is safe, not just electrically either.

 

[vjsmarwick]

I’m now no longer working due to health but when I started over 40 years ago we were pulling out old rubber cabling even then so I certainly wouldn’t be leaving any connected now even if it is testing ok !
Like others have said it’s long long past its lifespan! Change it and sleep sound at night knowing you have done the right thing !

 

[EddieB]

Hi,

Renovating property, done most & unfortunately (stupidly) now realized there is fair bit of VIR rubber cable still installed in the lighting circuits.

The ring has been done, all circuits proctected by RCD etc.

The cable surprisingly seems in good condition but appreciate only whats visible but where able to & moved it is not breaking & seems OK.

I know it should be replaced but wondered IF it passes restistance test is this allowable, expecially being rental.

If it was the ring main I would replace no question but lighting not so sure although as I understand won't have an earth so not sure how that may effect RCD protection etc.

To be honest suspect 4/5 years of renting & the whole place likely knocked down & rebuild something bigger! hence trying to avoid.

Thanks I/A

We were replacing the old rubber cables back the early 70's, there is no way you should leave this cable in situ regardless of how it tests. I wouldn't sleep easy at night knowing that was still part of the renovation.
Get it replaced fella!

 

[EddieB]

We were replacing the old rubber cables back the early 70's, there is no way you should leave this cable in situ regardless of how it tests. I wouldn't sleep easy at night knowing that was still part of the renovation.
Get it replaced fella!

 

[UNG]

I know it should be replaced but wondered IF it passes restistance test is this allowable, expecially being rental.

If you know it needs to be replaced why are you trying to avoid doing it

To be honest suspect 4/5 years of renting & the whole place likely knocked down & rebuild something bigger! hence trying to avoid.

And what if the VIR wiring doesn't last that long, what if your electrician only issues a 6 or 12 month EICR due to the wiring rather than the normal 5 year EICR, what if the redevelopment doesn't happen in 4/5 years will you be looking for another reason to retain the VIR wiring
For me looking at it from a business point of view are you prepared to carry all the potential risks and losses by not replacing the VIR wiring which could fail at anytime and put peoples lives at risk