17th pir for renting

[panny300]

just been reading a thread discussing a pir for the sale of a house,it seems that the regs are not retrospective so you don't have to upgrade to 17th.
a mate is thinking of renting a house,and has been told he has to have a pir certificate before he can rent,his wiring is is about 15 years old,as long as it is safe is it ok,or will it have to brought up to 17th regulations.

 

[luminaire]

Whatever faults are found to need rectifying will be done to the current Regs, which are the 17th Edition.

 

[panny300]

thanks luminaire,what sort of faults would be different under 17th compared to 16th.thanks

 

[Spark123]

The condition of the installation will be compared to the current set of regs (17th).
Things installed to the 16th or before will probably not comply fully with the 17th edition. The requirements for RCD protection of circuits is a prime example, the 17th edition calls for unprotected concealled cables burried less than 50mm and within the safe zones to be also protected by an RCD. This will include the likes of lighting circuits.
There are quite a few other changes, seems pointless trying to list them if they are having a tradesman in to do it.
The person doing the inspection will give your mate a certificate with each defect listed and a number which relates to the action recommended.

 

[panny300]

thanks spark,i am asking the questions for my own understanding of the new regulations.
you said that the installation won't comply with the 17th edition,i understand about the cables not being deep enough and should be protected,but are you saying a landlord having a pir,for example are going to have to upgrade their cu or put lighting on a seperate rcd to get the pir certificate.
would all the installation have to be brought up to 17th.

 

[ccrowe]

panny, no you don't have to bring the installation upto current regs. The exact wording on the model form in BS7671:2008 for this situation is as follows...

4 does not comply with BS7671:2008 amended to ........ This does not imply that the electrical installation inspected is unsafe.

FYI, the 4 is the lowest on the scale of 1 - requires ugent attention, 2 - requires improvement, 3 - requires further investigation, 4 - as described above.

 

[Spark123]

The PIR should outline what is wrong. The electrician will be able to discus how to put these right. The PIR is to todays standards so the condition report will be to todays standards.
What code the electrician gives to an item is entirely up to them, if it is code 1 or 2 then these will require some remedial action, or 3 investigated further.
You will get the PIR regardless of condition, wether it is deemed satisfactory or unsatifactory is another matter. At the end of the day your mate is basically at the mercy of the people who require the certificate for the rental.