Sockets & Sinks - The Law?

[buzzlightyear]

That is correct ,but the landlord is libal if anything goes wrong .
he is responsible for your safety.

 

[buzzlightyear]

That is correct ,but the landlord is libal if anything goes wrong .
he is responsible for you safety.

 

[Andy78]

Thanks guys. So it's generally poor, shoddy, cheapness. Yet its not technically breaking the law?? Am I right?

Your landlord has a legal responsibility to provide and maintain a safe electrical system and a legal duty of care to all residents and visitors of the property.

 

[Michaelwgroves]

Thanks guys. So it's generally poor, shoddy, cheapness. Yet its not technically breaking the law?? Am I right?

If your flat is not purpose built it might be classed as a HMO (Housing act 2004-Part3). If it is, your landlord must have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). If not, it's not legally required now, but will be for all new tenancies later this year and all tenancies next year. Ask your local HMO officer if you are not sure, it's different in each council. Being curious by nature, he might want to take a look.
Another good bit of legislation is the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, which came into force on 20 March 2019.
This will help stop landlords renting unfit properties.

 

[mr. shr]

Does the cooker switch have a socket on it?
I thought the cooker switch circuit is to supply the cooker only. I didn't think it was allowed to supply other appliances in the kitchen?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Does the cooker switch have a socket on it?
I thought the cooker switch circuit is to supply the cooker only. I didn't think it was allowed to supply other appliances in the kitchen?

So...
What your saying...is you wouldn't pick both a cooker AND a hob off it...?
(assuming it meets loading requirements etc)

 

[mr. shr]

If done correctly then cooker and hob can be part of the same cooking circuit yes.
But OP has fridge and washing machine also supplied from cooker circuit.
I didn't think that was allowed.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

If done correctly then cooker and hob can be part of the same cooking circuit yes.
But OP has fridge and washing machine also supplied from cooker circuit.
I didn't think that was allowed.

A cooker switch frequently has a socket combined with it. Ostensibly for a kettle, but there is no rule to say it can't be something else, such as a 2 way adapter feeding a fridge and washing machine.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

A cooker switch frequently has a socket combined with it. Ostensibly for a kettle, but there is no rule to say it can't be something else, such as a 2 way adapter feeding a fridge and washing machine.

The poor little lamb simply doesn't understand the virtues of outlets and plug tops to BS1363...

 

[Susie Nathan]

I'm renting a flat and just before I moved in the landlord got some cowboys in to tosh up the paint work, lay some cheap vinyl flooring and a new kitchen was installed. However, the kitchen wiring is a concern. In summary, fridge, washing machine, oven, hob and extractor are all running from the oven switch, via cables, through junction boxes to extensions etc. All laid under the kitchen units, in a galley style layout. The fridge and washing machine are plugged into a twin socket extension lead positioned directly under the sink and the cupboard beneath.

Please can someone advise me whether this is against Building Regs, H&S etc.

Despite the original extension overloading and the fuse of the washing machine blowing, the landlords electrician replaced the extension like for like.

Plus, I've yet to see an Electrical Safety Certificate....I've asked, asked, asked again....

View attachment 48368

So a year later and no action from landlord until now....

I have an 'Electrical Safety Certificate' inspection booked for the 26th August.

Any tips on how to approach the electrician and explain the seriously dodgy setup without sounding like I know nothing..........

Since last posting, the hob and hood fuses blew, we worked out the problem and changed these ourselves.

I've also had a HUGE electricity bill totally £1500 for 18 months. My concern is that it's a studio flat! I'm convinced I'm supplying the electricity for the communal internal and external areas and possibly elsewhere too. How can I tell if my suspicions are right?

 

[Pete999]

So a year later and no action from landlord until now....

I have an 'Electrical Safety Certificate' inspection booked for the 26th August.

Any tips on how to approach the electrician and explain the seriously dodgy setup without sounding like I know nothing..........

Since last posting, the hob and hood fuses blew, we worked out the problem and changed these ourselves.

I've also had a HUGE electricity bill totally £1500 for 18 months. My concern is that it's a studio flat! I'm convinced I'm supplying the electricity for the communal internal and external areas and possibly elsewhere too. How can I tell if my suspicions are right?

Explain your fears, and if you can post a copy of the report on the forum, blanking any name and addresses out of course, but please make sure you get a copy of the report.

 

[Midwest]

Show the electrician what you’ve found. Wait for the EICR, see what it says, specifically what you’ve found. Reply back here.

You could consider your own report.

 

[Vortigern]

Is it possible for you to show pictures of your meter (cupboard) and switch gear as well as a panned back view of the cooker and hob and switch you mention. Is this a house or a block of flats. How many tenants are there, as HMO requires six or more. That carbonisation on your double socket looks like a faulty appliance rather than overload. If it was the fuse blowing, then I am curious to know why the main fuse did not blow or did it?

 

[telectrix]

i would be concerned if the report is being commissioned by the landlord.
1. he'll get the cheapest quick look over possible.
2. some rogue "electrician" wii give him a satisfactory report even if it's a mess.

my advice is to get a forum member sparks ( several in the London area), to do a proper test/inspection and give you a EICR. this runs to about 8 pages, but for a studio flat, cost shouldnot be more than about £150 (subject to things like parking costs, congestion chargesif applicable) .

as for the leccy bill, that equates to around £20/week which seems high for a studio flat.check with your supplier what tariff you are on. if you are on dualtariff, the daytime rate is higher than normal. 16p. per kWH is about standard.
also if you get a EICR done, get the electrician to check if you are in fact being charged for any electric usage outside of your own flat.

 

[MJPD29]

I agree with the above posts. Although the landlord may be doing this at his expense, he may know the person doing the inspection and could end up just glancing over it and passing it to please the landlord. I would consider getting your own inspection, although this is up to you as you will be paying for it and ultimately it is a rented property and you may not want to. However, it will be more transparent and if you get a reputable person/company you will have a more detailed report.