Previous owner bodged electrics. What can I do legally, are they liable.

[andy_nufc]

The shower on the lighting circuit is not acceptable because the smallest shower is around the 7kW mark.

This is true so far as the problem is stated, referring to "electric showers". But what if the showers are merely power showers that happen to use electric?

Richie_A: do the showers take in mains pressure cold water and heat it up in their own box? (If so = electric showers.) Or they take feeds from the cold tank and pre-heated cylinder and mix them, using a pump motor somewhere to increase the pressue? (If so = power shower.)

 

[Bosswhite]

Which company? one to avoid!! Or is this a specialist listed building cover or similar? Or landlords building insurance?

With Fire Authorities having specialist Fire Investigation Units that can pin point seat of fire , it makes sense that Insurance Companies can request Fire Reports if they think that Electrics were bodged or dangerous , it is up to the property owner to ensure that the electrics/gas are up to date and safe .

 

[mrrusty]

With Fire Authorities having specialist Fire Investigation Units that can pin point seat of fire , it makes sense that Insurance Companies can request Fire Reports if they think that Electrics were bodged or dangerous , it is up to the property owner to ensure that the electrics/gas are up to date and safe .

I don't disagree at all. It probably would be a good thing if insurance was tied to certification, BUT it would increase costs through additional administration.

I'll go back to my question, for ordinary joe public, insuring a normal house, AFAIK insurance companies never ask for certification - never happened to me, nor to any of my family, so if you know different I would like to know. Please name the company

 

[mattylad]

Yes please name the company.
I have never been asked for any certification for my house insurance and am concerned that I may be because I have none.

 

[Deleted member 292770]

..................frantically searches google for insurance companies requiring certs so as not to look like a dick

 

[Bosswhite]

I don't disagree at all. It probably would be a good thing if insurance was tied to certification, BUT it would increase costs through additional administration.

I'll go back to my question, for ordinary joe public, insuring a normal house, AFAIK insurance companies never ask for certification - never happened to me, nor to any of my family, so if you know different I would like to know. Please name the company

Certis Insurance Company , I am sure there are several other Insurance companies around that insist on evidence that the Property should be in a good state of repair especially if one is renting out property .
https://www.certisinsurance.com/terms-of-business/

 

[mrrusty]

Certis are brokers not an insurance company, and seeing how they insure "prestige homes" and "non-standard homes", I think you have demonstrated that for the average Joe, and the average insurance Co (LVE, NFU, Aviva, RSA etc.) there is no requirement for certificates. I'll make a guess and suggest your house is thatched? QED

 

[fourtytwo]

I commiserate with the OP, I kick myself now for not having an electrical survey as it was a 1950's house that turned out to be almost 100% rubber (complete with missing insulation) but everything visible had been updated even including the consumer unit. Needless to say I had to pay for a complete rewire and no comeback to the previous owner. I think at the time (earlier this year) there was a huge amount of pressure in the housing market so maybe some of us rushed a might to fast (in retrospect) but then we probably would have lost both what we wanted to buy and our buyer.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

Definitely some crumbling rubber in that CU! I‘d suggest having that rewire done by like yesterday for your own safety. If you‘re not living there yet, turn off the main switch every time you leave the house.