Am I being taken for a ride?

[surreygirl]

My Son is an Electrician, he is renting a property, no EICR it's a case of where can I rent at a good price? I know it's not right, but needs must I'm afraid, and until this excuse for a Government, become part of the real World we are doomed Mr Mainwaring, doomed.

If I was the Landlord I would be worried in case something went wrong. It is difficult to rent I must say, yes and it is not even law to have an EICR! However you have a duty of care me thinks.

 

[telectrix]

me only ever once had any bad tennents. tasted like pi$$ but it was out of date anyway.

 

[Pete999]

me only ever once had any bad tennents. tasted like pi$$ but it was out of date anyway.

Wrong tenant Tel, still you are a Scouser, so lets say no more about it.

 

[telectrix]

lager is a chav's drink anyway ( polish,german and czech lager apart. ). makes me laught with some of these "export" lagers. supposedly danish, but brewed in the UK by carlsberg tetley.

 

[Toneyz]

lager is a chav's drink anyway ( polish,german and czech lager apart. ). makes me laught with some of these "export" lagers. supposedly danish, but brewed in the UK by carlsberg tetley.

In Northampton.

 

[littlespark]

me only ever once had any bad tennents. tasted like pi$$ but it was out of date anyway.

Who put a CCTV camera in my fridge?

 

[Pete999]

In Northampton.

That fact makes it worse Ant

 

[SparkyChick]

You never know what not all but some tenants do.

This is so true, I've been on a call out where someone had deliberately sabotaged the immersion heater circuit by cutting the neutrals in a remote switch. It was either the tenants trying to screw the landlord over or a plumber touting for more work.

With regards to the inspection period, the 5 years or change of occupancy is listed in Guidance Note 3 from the IET.

And on a related but slightly different topic, I think I may have just lost out on an EICR for a property being bought as a rental because the agent quoted the buyers a price of £80 for an EICR. Purchaser did ask why there was such a difference in the price, which I explained was mainly down to the fact that some of us are very diligent and that when we're asked to do an inspection, we don't go in and concoct problems to build a big remedial works bill. Time will tell whether that carries any weight.

It wasn't clear whether that was what the "electrician" would charge £80 or whether the agent would charge that... if the later... how much is the guy doing the inspection going to make?

 

[UNG]

And on a related but slightly different topic, I think I may have just lost out on an EICR for a property being bought as a rental because the agent quoted the buyers a price of £80 for an EICR. Purchaser did ask why there was such a difference in the price, which I explained was mainly down to the fact that some of us are very diligent and that when we're asked to do an inspection, we don't go in and concoct problems to build a big remedial works bill. Time will tell whether that carries any weight.

It wasn't clear whether that was what the "electrician" would charge £80 or whether the agent would charge that... if the later... how much is the guy doing the inspection going to make?

Does the £80 include the agents cut?

 

[SparkyChick]

Does the £80 include the agents cut?

Not a clue, I just know the potential client had been told by the agent that an EICR would cost £80.

 

[RWJ]

It wasn't clear whether that was what the "electrician" would charge £80 or whether the agent would charge that... if the later... how much is the guy doing the inspection going to make?

£80 for an estate agents EICR seems to the "norm" around here. I guy called Jamie seems to do all the estate agents around here. (source: a couple of estate agents who told me we were trying it on with our price!)

 

[Phil Thompson]

I got a call for one last week, I said £200, the guy said the agent had said £120, but with PAT it was £200, I asked how many items to PAT and he said 3 lol

 

[Wilko]

£80 for an estate agents EICR seems to the "norm" around here. I guy called Jamie seems to do all the estate agents around here. (source: a couple of estate agents who told me we were trying it on with our price!)

For that he probably spends an hour - does a few tests, has a walk around, a cup of tea and fills out the forms. Oh look - it's satisfactory !

 

[surreygirl]

Well the Agent charged me 240 pounds for the test which failed.

However I managed to get hold of he original electrician who fitted the underfloor heating and also issued a safety certificate and he is at least going to sort the problem out with the lack of an isolation point and lack of trunking for the wires! and also an electrician recommended by someone on this site is going to look at the cable that he cannot test!

 

[SparkyChick]

Well the Agent charged me 240 pounds for the test which failed.

And how long was the "electrician" there?

 

[surreygirl]

And how long was the "electrician" there?

Less then an hour as I was there at the same time. It is only a studio so not much to test and as for checking the cable that runs behind the wall I didnt see him take out any box to see the cable or even test the economy 7 it is too far up and needs a step ladder to get to it and he certainly didnt take out the main fuse box in the kitchen. he did note though that the underfloor heating did not have an isolation point which was useful and so the electrician who fitted the underfloor heating is going to put one in and also trunk the grey wires. He knew it was a rental property. He also gave me a safety certificate for his work and all the electrics.

 

[Wilko]

Less then an hour as I was there at the same time ... I didnt see him take out any box to see the cable or even test the economy 7 it is too far up and needs a step ladder to get to it and he certainly didnt take out the main fuse box ...

In belated answer to your thread title - that would be a YES from me in the cheap seats, sorry.

 

[telectrix]

he might just as well have sat in his van and made it up. n EICR in less that 1 hour? bloody joke, and £240 is a complete rip-off for the time he was ther.

 

[surreygirl]

he might just as well have sat in his van and made it up. n EICR in less that 1 hour? bloody joke, and £240 is a complete rip-off for the time he was ther.

That is what I thought but he come through the Agents and when I questioned his suggestions about the cable - from what you guys had told me when he came around again the Agent came along too and told me that no on had every complained about him before! - However 1,600 pounds to run a cable that he was unable to check due to it having a connection seemed on the high side to say the least and that is even if there is a connection to be tested. Because on here you told me he should be able to test the cable the Agent then came back to me and said it was the connection that he couldnt test but that is if there is a connection! and anyway going on the length of the 3 meter rule the connection should only be about 2 feet away so I do not see how he could could no test it and as I said he certainly didnt test the cable whilst I was there.

Anyway a lovely person on this site has recommended a "spark" to me so he is on the case!!

 

[andyb]

Less then an hour as I was there at the same time. It is only a studio so not much to test and as for checking the cable that runs behind the wall I didnt see him take out any box to see the cable or even test the economy 7 it is too far up and needs a step ladder to get to it and he certainly didnt take out the main fuse box in the kitchen. he did note though that the underfloor heating did not have an isolation point which was useful and so the electrician who fitted the underfloor heating is going to put one in and also trunk the grey wires. He knew it was a rental property. He also gave me a safety certificate for his work and all the electrics.

Ditch the electrician and also the letting agent, that's ridiculous.
1 hour, no steps, I can't understand what he means regarding the cable behind the wall and he did not go to the consumer unit if I understand correctly.

 

[surreygirl]

Ditch the electrician and also the letting agent, that's ridiculous.
1 hour, no steps, I can't understand what he means regarding the cable behind the wall and he did not go to the consumer unit if I understand correctly.

He did go to the consumer unit with me because he needed to know where it was and he showed me where the cable would run from but as it is directly behind my lounge/studio wall and the wiring runs directly in a straight line to the economy 7 main fuse box in the lounge and at the top of the cupboard there would be about 11 feet or wiring because my consumer unit, which is about 2 ft along the outside wall, so that takes two feet of off the 12 ft to the kitchen - if you follow my drift - so any connection either end - and it is probably the kitchen end -would only be about 26 inches from either the main meter or the fuse box in the kitchen and as he intends to remove the one in the kitchen there would be a great big hole so I do not know why he would be unable to test the connection. That is, if there is one! And the same for the economy 7 main fuse box in the lounge. If he removes that he could test the connection. Testing the connection is why he has said he needs to put in a new cable. Testing the connection is what came out after a lot of prompting from me from what you guys told me to ask!

But at no time did he test the cable running from the main meter to the flats main fuse box in the kitchen!

Also I agree about ditching the Agent because when I got there all the work which was supposed to have been carried out like a new shower and a cooker hood had not been done and that was supposed to have been done months go and also this fiasco with the electrician.

 

[andyb]

Sorry SG, I can't understand why he needs to re run the economy 7 cable (if that's what you are saying)
Did he take the cover of the consummer unit? did he take any sockets or switches off the wall or inspect any of the lights?

 

[Octopus]

Tony Cable is freelance now according to P.E. mag.

Who would pay to listen to the NICEIC version of the regs?

Not me!

 

[surreygirl]

Sorry SG, I can't understand why he needs to re run the economy 7 cable (if that's what you are saying)
Did he take the cover of the consummer unit? did he take any sockets or switches off the wall or inspect any of the lights?

Well in his report he says "upgrade of eco 7 DB"

He could not really test that as he could reach it you need a step ladder as it is right up the top of the wall and in a cupboard.

The further down the report he says

Investigation of supply wiring and condition of main isolator. This is where he said he could not test the main wiring, but then when one of you chaps said he must have the equipment to be able to test it, his reply was that he needs to test the connection, he said there was a 3 meter rule and that the join would be too far in for him to be able to test! and that it was the connection that he needed to test and because he could not get at it he wanted to run new wiring through my lounge up on the top of the lounge wall which I quite categorically do not want. I cannot imagine what a great big cable would look line running along the wall. Not to mention is it necessary!

 

[surreygirl]

Sorry SG, I can't understand why he needs to re run the economy 7 cable (if that's what you are saying)
Did he take the cover of the consummer unit? did he take any sockets or switches off the wall or inspect any of the lights?

He looked at the fuses and told me the underfloor heating had the wrong fuses in and so switched them off and told me that the tenant must not use the underfloor heating until it had all been updated.

 

[Octopus]

A call to trading standards may be appropriate...

 

[andyb]

Well in his report he says "upgrade of eco 7 DB"

He could not really test that as he could reach it you need a step ladder as it is right up the top of the wall and in a cupboard.

You need a lot of equipment to undertake a PIR, steps is just one. you cannot undertake an inspection in most cases, including this case, without a pair. Also, if he could not access the DB how can he say it needs replacing?

Investigation of supply wiring and condition of main isolator. This is where he said he could not test the main wiring, but then when one of you chaps said he must have the equipment to be able to test it, his reply was that he needs to test the connection, he said there was a 3 meter rule and that the join would be too far in for him to be able to test! and that it was the connection that he needed to test and because he could not get at it he wanted to run new wiring through my lounge up on the top of the lounge wall which I quite categorically do not want. I cannot imagine what a great big cable would look line running along the wall. Not to mention is it necessary!

Please do not let him or anyone for that matter run a cable through your lounge. Unless I'm totally misundersting this, he's having a laugh.

I know you've been asked before but could you not scan and post the report?

 

[andyb]

A call to trading standards may be appropriate...

I agree Murdoch, I'd get a reputable sparks in 1st though to confirm what we think.

I'd also be asking for my money back.

 

[telectrix]

Investigation of supply wiring and condition of main isolator. This is where he said he could not test the main wiring, but then when one of you chaps said he must have the equipment to be able to test it, his reply was that he needs to test the connection, he said there was a 3 meter rule and that the join would be too far in for him to be able to test! and that it was the connection that he needed to test and because he could not get at it he wanted to run new wiring through my lounge up on the top of the lounge wall which I quite categorically do not want. I cannot imagine what a great big cable would look line running along the wall. Not to mention is it necessary!

reading that, i gave up after counting 4 Bull Sh1ts. (from the sparks, that is, not you).

as previous posts, bin both the agent and the so-called electrician.

 

[surreygirl]

You need a lot of equipment to undertake a PIR, steps is just one. you cannot undertake an inspection in most cases, including this case, without a pair. Also, if he could not access the DB how can he say it needs replacing?



Please do not let him or anyone for that matter run a cable through your lounge. Unless I'm totally misundersting this, he's having a laugh.

I know you've been asked before but could you not scan and post the report?

Yes I am going to upload his report. Just got to set the printer up because - do not laugh - poetic justice or something!- when I turned on the computer when I got home last night the electrics went and I can only use a few sockets without it tripping! so need an electrician here now. Am just about to sort out the printer so will upload when I get it up and running.

 

[surreygirl]

Investigation of supply wiring and condition of main isolator. This is where he said he could not test the main wiring, but then when one of you chaps said he must have the equipment to be able to test it, his reply was that he needs to test the connection, he said there was a 3 meter rule and that the join would be too far in for him to be able to test! and that it was the connection that he needed to test and because he could not get at it he wanted to run new wiring through my lounge up on the top of the lounge wall which I quite categorically do not want. I cannot imagine what a great big cable would look line running along the wall. Not to mention is it necessary!

reading that, i gave up after counting 4 Bull Sh1ts. (from the sparks, that is, not you).

as previous posts, bin both the agent and the so-called electrician.

I agree. I felt that I was being taken for a ride that is why I posted on this forum to get down to the bottom of it and of course I have lost all confidence in the Agent now and I will be looking into changing them in the near future. I have got a "sparky" going in who was recommended by one of you chaps and as I said the original electrician who put in the underfloor heating is going to put in the "isolator" and trunk the grey wiring.

 

[Octopus]

A call to trading standards may be appropriate...

 

[surreygirl]

Well I can upload the report but it has every ones names and addresses on i! Not sure if I can edit it or not! I am going to try.

 

[andyb]

Just put some paper over the names.

 

[surreygirl]

Just put some paper over the names.

It is in Pfd form at the moment. I am trying to upload to the computer as electrics went last night along with my tower so am just sorting out the lap top and the printen and the I can upload my copy with names blocked out.

I will get that done as soon as I can.

You are all lovely xx

 

[surreygirl]

I have managed at last to upload the report from the original electrician. It took a while because my electrics here kept tripping and the computer stopped working, but I have managed to sort it out using my lap top!

I would be interested in your comments.

 

[SparkyChick]

I'll kick it off... how can he make the statement "Inconsistent resistance values for ring final circuits" when he doesn't appear to have actually tested/recorded them?

Given it's a studio flat, are there too many points of utilisation for him to count and record?

It's unlikely you'll get identical results for the various insulation resistance tests as he has recorded, unless you max your meter out (so I very often write >999 in all IR test results).

Max disconnection time for the shower circuit... it's a final circuit so it's max disconnect time should be 0.4s, not 5.

Can't see what's wrong with the fusing of the under floor heating... the breaker is 16A and it's wired in 2.5mm... nothing wrong with that. And at the other end I wouldn't expect anything else, just a connection to the under floor heating controller.

The rest of it, difficult to say without seeing the installation, but I stand by what I've said already... he's a chancer, trying to extract as much money from you as possible and I suspect he's in cahoots with the agent. Ditch them both.

 

[Pete999]

I'll kick it off... how can he make the statement "Inconsistent resistance values for ring final circuits" when he doesn't appear to have actually tested/recorded them?

Given it's a studio flat, are there too many points of utilisation for him to count and record?

It's unlikely you'll get identical results for the various insulation resistance tests as he has recorded, unless you max your meter out (so I very often write >999 in all IR test results).

Max disconnection time for the shower circuit... it's a final circuit so it's max disconnect time should be 0.4s, not 5.

Can't see what's wrong with the fusing of the under floor heating... the breaker is 16A and it's wired in 2.5mm... nothing wrong with that. And at the other end I wouldn't expect anything else, just a connection to the under floor heating controller.

The rest of it, difficult to say without seeing the installation, but I stand by what I've said already... he's a chancer, trying to extract as much money from you as possible and I suspect he's in cahoots with the agent. Ditch them both.

Rather than spending time writing it all out again, I will just say I agree with everything SparkyChick has said.

 

[surreygirl]

I'll kick it off... how can he make the statement "Inconsistent resistance values for ring final circuits" when he doesn't appear to have actually tested/recorded them?

Given it's a studio flat, are there too many points of utilisation for him to count and record?

It's unlikely you'll get identical results for the various insulation resistance tests as he has recorded, unless you max your meter out (so I very often write >999 in all IR test results).

Max disconnection time for the shower circuit... it's a final circuit so it's max disconnect time should be 0.4s, not 5.

Can't see what's wrong with the fusing of the under floor heating... the breaker is 16A and it's wired in 2.5mm... nothing wrong with that. And at the other end I wouldn't expect anything else, just a connection to the under floor heating controller.

The rest of it, difficult to say without seeing the installation, but I stand by what I've said already... he's a chancer, trying to extract as much money from you as possible and I suspect he's in cahoots with the agent. Ditch them both.

Well that is what I thought. I had my suspicions especially when his response that they - meaning the Agents - "just" take the money out of the rent. With the emphasis on "Just"! That made me sit up and think.

Thank you for taking the time to read the report. I have some one going in to look at the electrics for me, next week hopefully! Someone on here gave me the details of an electrician near to me, so that is a relief.

I also think that the Agents are dodgy as there have been a few things on a smaller scale that I have questioned and then the strange answers to questions I have put to them which you all kindly told me to ask!

Such as not being able to test the cable and then when I questioned that on what you have said they then come back to me and said it was the connection that he couldn't test etc etc etc!!

 

[Pete999]

Well that is what I thought. I had my suspicions especially when his response that they - meaning the Agents - "just" take the money out of the rent. With the emphasis on "Just"! That made me sit up and think.

Thank you for taking the time to read the report. I have some one going in to look at the electrics for me, next week hopefully! Someone on here gave me the details of an electrician near to me, so that is a relief.

I also think that the Agents are dodgy as there have been a few things on a smaller scale that I have questioned and then the strange answers to questions I have put to them which you all kindly told me to ask!

Such as not being able to test the cable and then when I questioned that on what you have said they then come back to me and said it was the connection that he couldn't test etc etc etc!!

Rock on surreygirl