question

[consumer done over]

Hi,

I am asking this question on behalf of my elderly parents who live abroad.

They have a retirement property here which they now wish to rent.

a) do they need a certificate to prove electric safety of the flat

b) does the flat's electrics need to be brough up to the latest regs

c) both of the above?

Regards,

 

[electronicsuk]

It is the landlord's responsibility to ensure the electrical system is safe, to me that would mean that a full PIR should be carried out by a competent electrician. I am not aware of any specific requirements in the law as to the minimum steps the landlord must undertake to ensure electrical safety, though that is not to say they don't exist.

A PIR (Periodic Inspection Report) will see that the entire electrical installation is checked and any problems reported back along with their severity. IMO any landlord that doesn't have such a check carried out is leaving themselves wide open to prosecution, should the tenants ever have an accident due to the electrical installation at the property.

There is no requirement for the entire system to be bought up to the latest regs as they are retrospective, but if the installation is aging and due for replacement then this will be bought up in the PIR, and appropriate action advised by your electrician. If you don't have at least the basics such as RCD protection then a minimum of a consumer unit upgrade would be strongly advisable.