Would work in a rental flat be classed as commercial or residential?

[Reejoc]

I need to find someone to install some emergency lighting in a rented flat that sits above a commercial property. The flat is registered as a separate address and has it's own electrical supply. My usual electrician is not sure if he is insured to do the work as he only does 'residential'

Does anyone know if electrical work in a rented residential property is classed as 'commerical'?

Many thanks

 

[Mottie]

If it’s kitted out legally for someone to live there, it’s surely residential isn’t it? On what basis are the rates paid, commercial or residential?

 

[Reejoc]

If it’s kitted out legally for someone to live there, it’s surely residential isn’t it? On what basis are the rates paid, commercial or residential?

The rent is paid to the company who own the building but I'm not sure is this makes any difference

 

[crystal ball]

Residential

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

However, the guy with a question about whether his insurance is valid would do better asking the insurance company than a random group of pundits on the internet.

 

[JohnW2]

However, the guy with a question about whether his insurance is valid would do better asking the insurance company than a random group of pundits on the internet.

Whilst that's true, isn't is pretty likely that the insurer would tell the electrician whether or not he was insured to do work in a 'commercial' property', without themselves oiffering an opinion as to whether or not the property in question was 'commercial'?

If so, it does not seem unreasonable that, prior to talking to the insurers, he should attempt to ascertain whether or not the property in question would be formally/legally regarded as 'commercial' (which, for what it's worth, I personally would very much doubt).

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

It's a 'dwelling' and subject to Part P which, I presume, is the electrician's normal work that he calls residential.

 

[blup]

Residential is presumably residential, even if an unauthorised use.

Blup

 

[fluorescence]

...My usual electrician is not sure if he is insured to do the work as he only does 'residential'...

There's always the possibility that this translates to 'I don't want to do that job'

 

[crystal ball]

There's always the possibility that this translates to 'I don't want to do that job'

I recall some aerial fitters telling a customer they were not insured to lift floorboards so the co ax had to be surface clipped round the skirting board hmmmm

 

[JohnW2]

I recall some aerial fitters telling a customer they were not insured to lift floorboards so the co ax had to be surface clipped round the skirting board hmmmm

That doesn't surprise me, but I think I would probably respond by pointing out that aerial fitters who were not insured to lift floorboards were not fit to do the job that I wanted done

Kind Regards, John

 

[flameport]

My usual electrician is not sure if he is insured to do the work as he only does 'residential'

What kind of insurance would only cover residential electrical work and specifically exclude other kinds?
Further - what kind of 'electrician' would purchase it even if it did exist?

 

[JohnW2]

What kind of insurance would only cover residential electrical work and specifically exclude other kinds?

One can but speculate, but if insurers perceived (presumably based on a history of claims) that the financial risk to them were greater in the case of non-residential work, then they might well want to charge higher premiums to cover such work.

Further - what kind of 'electrician' would purchase it even if it did exist?

Well, if something like the above were true, then I suppose the kind of electrician who preferred to pay a lower premium for residential-only cover

Kind Regards, John

 

[EFLImpudence]

I need to find someone to install some emergency lighting in a rented flat that sits above a commercial property. The flat is registered as a separate address and has it's own electrical supply. My usual electrician is not sure if he is insured to do the work as he only does 'residential'

Does anyone know if electrical work in a rented residential property is classed as 'commerical'?
Yes. It is not - by definition.

Unless, as said, he is trying to put you off - I think you need a brighter electrician - not least because such work is normally called 'domestic'.

 

[333rocky333]

Could it be tied to the amount covered, i notice when our firm does commercial premises, like shopping centres they demand to see the insurance and usually stipulate minimum cover of millions of pounds