most boxes are plastic so no issue, if u replace it must be metal. fuses can still comply but I had some and simply replaced it to latest ed 18 its no big deal.
you might find your lights have no earth run so make sure you dont have any metal light fittings in place.
as everyone else says get vacant possession and you can get on and sort the house out. you can rewire even if its empty
Only one option - sold with vacant possession. Anything else is unnecessary risk.
I am a fully qualified electrician. I just want to clarify a few misnomers about the EICR. An EICR is required every 5 years, or, when there is a change of tenant. There is no such thing as âan illegal fuseboardâ and there is absolutely no requiremenr to replace it just beause its plastic or is not up to date with latest regulations. So many landlords are getting ripped off by this alarmist nonsense. Firstly, get an EICR carried out and see what RECOMMENDATIONS are generated. You cannot be forced to have a new CU if there is nothing wrong with it ie no damage abd no missing blanking plates. The point about an EICR is check for safety of the wiring not to generate a load of spurious âfailsâ to upgrade everything. Employ a decent experienced spark who knows what they are doing not a young kid who knows nothing.
âwhen there is a change of tenantâ? Can you point us to the law or regulation on that point ?
Yes its in the Wiring Regulations but it is a recommendation. The Law is the Private Rented Sector Regs. where its stipulated no longer than 5 years. However, new tenants must be issued with a copy of the current EICR and any urgent remedial work recommended in it must have been carried out within 28 days of it being issued. This does NOT require a further EICR just confirmation work was done. My reply was really to highlight the misinformation rampant in the trade which in itself can be considerd fraudulent if its the wrong advice. Electricians who carry out these reports should really have professional indemnity insurance and at least 10 years experience in the trade to give correct and meaningful advice. Plastic fuseboards/ consumer units is naive in the extreme as a âfailâ. It is not required to be metal. This was introduced for new CUs purchased for new installations, not to require perfectly safe plastic ones to be ripped out.
yes I have had the plastic ones passed ok as long as there are no gaps where the cables enter and any unused âholesâ. secured with a blind grommet . So we always need to find an electrician who will solidly give the 5 years certificate NOT the change of tenant cert.
No Colin I havenât explained myself. It is recommended by the wiring regulations to have an EICR for a change of tenancy. This is largely to satisfy yourself that there has been no DIY âmeddlingâ or unsafe changes made by the vacating tenant. The 5 year time limit is that required by Law. You can have the EICR specified as being carried out for the Private Rented Sector Regs. and have any number of intermediate ones for other reasons. It would be beneficial to keep all EICRs anyway. As long as there is a gap of no more than 5 years between, thats fine.
got it Explained ok to me Hope all the electricians have got that as well !!
How can I be sure that the work needed to update my EICR is actually needed? I have no way of knowing and do not want to pay someone else to check it. Any ideas please
are you a tenant or landlord?
I am a first time landlord
Well you need an electrician to test and give a certificate. It is tax deductable
I had an electrician check and he failed it. He gave me no certificate to say so [would have been useless anyway ]but a quote for all the work needed.
That was over 1600 pounds and I am not sure if all that work is needed.
That is the question and do I just trust him?
what did it fail on? How much did he charge for the test?
He charged 130 which is fair. The list includes replacing Consumer unit, replace Bathroom downlights, replace kitchen bulb, install cable for Hob surface,install cooker connect and back box. All that might be need to be done but I am not sure.
you can always get another quote.
I thought of that but would have to pay again for all the test to confirm what needs really doing
i Mean a quote for the specified work, to see if it comes in less
I really wish people would understand an EICR is NOT a certificate. IT IS A REPORT. It doesnât certify anything.
Electrical Installation Condition Report. A report on the condition of the electrical installation.