electrics in rented property.

[gasman1987]

hello,

Whats checks and paperwork do i need in a rented property?

Do i have to have hard wired smoke alarms?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Gas Safety check certificate annually.

None for electrics.
Landlord has duty of care to ensure installation is safe.

Battery powered smoke alarms will do.

 

[gasman1987]

I am getting a second house , which is completing next month. Is it advised / needed to get the electrics checked to rent

 

[gasman1987]

I am getting a second house , which is completing next month. Is it advised / needed to get the electrics checked to rent

 

[17thman]

for peace of mind and a possible negotiating tool, if you have not already signed contracts, get an Electrical Installation Condition Report. 3 bed house in your area, which is also my area would cost around £180 give or take £20.00 quid. This report will give you information on the current condition of the wiring coded with urgent items for attention through to not compliant issues.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Have a look at the content on this site

http://landlordzone.co.uk/

There is a lot of useful info on your responsibilities re electrical items in rented properties.

Note that a letting agent may have additional requirements as a condition of them trousering more than 5% of your rental for doing ziltch.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

As I understand it, you should prove the electrics and all appliance that are included in the let are electrically safe. (But no statuary requirement to do this).
How you do this is totally up to you.
But if you went to a court of law over electrical safety issues for the property, they would expect some evidence that you actually did perform and confirmed electrical safety checks.
In my mind the only way to do this would be via an electrical installation condition report and pat testing. The EICR to be made every five years or on change of occupancy, pat testing and visual inspection made yearly and on change of occupancy.
In regards to smokes, in my area they insist that one is on at least each floor level and they are hard-wired and battery maintained.

Regulations
There is no statutory obligation on landlords or agents to have professional checks carried out on the electrical system or appliances. However, under Common Law and various statutory regulations: The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, The Housing Act 2004, The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, and the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994, both of which come under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, there is an obligation to ensure that all electrical equipment is safe.

In order to do this we recommend:
Annual visual inspections by the landlord or agent - recording this on a safety checklist.
Inspections on tenant change-overs, recording electrical equipment, its condition and fuses fitted - see PAT Testing.
Periodic inspections of electrical equipment by a qualified electrician.
5 yearly inspections by a qualified electrician to ensure safety and that the electrical system complies with current electrical regulations.
Keep all records of these inspections.

Due Diligence
In the event of a tenant complaint or an incident the defence of "due diligence" may be accepted where it can be shown that the landlord or agent took all reasonable steps to avoid committing an offence - you will need documentary evidence of this.

A private owner letting a single dwelling (not in the course of business) may have a defence, whereas an agent acting on his behalf will not. However, an agent merely introducing a tenant and not becoming involved in the inventory or management of the tenancy my well be exempt from liability.

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/electrical_safety.htm
smokes