Consumer Units for flats

[bigalert]

Quick question for you all. If someone has a house and converts it into flats, does each flat have to have its own consumer unit (if yes what reg is it please)

Not sure of the full details, but if they let flats 'inclusive' and have only one meter what are the rules.

Thanks

 

[1john]

where would the consumer unit be located?

 

[bernardgreen]

Think of the situation where a dangerous electrical situation inone flat has occured and it is necessary to turn of the electrical power to that flat.

If the tenant with the dangerous situation cannot get to the CU to isolate the power to his flat then the dangerous situation affecting just on flat may develop into something ( a fire maybe ) that affects all flats.

For clear definitive information contact the local authority ( council ) and ask for their rules on property converted to multiple occupancy.

 

[Aragorn84]

Wouldnt you would want a seperate meter for each flat anyway?

 

[bigalert]

Thanks for all the replies.

Have made the point about isolation of individual flats and inconvenience.

Believe the consumer unit is in the hallway as they come in, so that would be accessable to both flats.

Have pointed out that as each flat would need shower, cooker etc that one cu would be overloaded and meter tails etc would be overloaded.

All they say is ,"is it against the law".

Just trying to ascertain why it would not be allowed.

Cheers
Steve

 

[bernardgreen]

All they say is ,"is it against the law".

Not sure about that, check with the local authority, some may consider it is not "legal"

Just trying to ascertain why it would not be allowed.

One common sense reason is that by sharing a CU there is every possibility that an electrical incident in Flat A could deprive Flat B of electricity lights and power.

If that meant someone in Flat B suffered injury or loss as a direct result of losing electricity then the landlord could be facing a legal claim for damages based on his failure to exercise due care for the safety of his tenants.

This would be based on the fact that the loss of power in Flat B due to events in Flat A was something that would not have happened if the land lord had shown due diligence in the conversion into two flats.

 

[Guitarguy]

I work for the electricity board and have done jobs connecting the supply to a house thats been converted into flats. What usually happens is that we fit a ryefield distribution unit in the communal area in the building and from there each flat has its own supply that is fused at the ryefield unit and has a solid link cutout and the meter in the flat and obviously its own consumer unit.

 

[bigalert]

Thanks will have another go at convincing them . The possiblity of legal action is a good lever i think.

Still can't believe that with all the regs to follow, one doesn't cover this.


Cheers

 

[kai]

One point - in a flat, the maximum possible fault current at the consumer unit is often much lower than in a house, as there are many metres of sub mains between the mains intakes and the consumer unit.

 

[JohnD]

I don't understand where you are coming from with this question. If I rented or bought a flat, I would expect to pay the energy supplier for the electricity I used - not a share of anyone else's.

Therefore I would expect my own meter.

Therefore I would have to have my own CU.

 

[bigalert]

Couldn't agree more JohnD. Someone asked me the position re cu.

As far as i am concerned ,i agree with there being a need for each flat to have it's own meter and CU.

Was just looking for an actual bit of law etc which i could quote to them.

Cheers

Steve

 

[1john]

either way regulations are not the law.