CU in Rented Property

[Greeny007]

Hi All,

I hope am in the right place for this question.

We live in a rented property and have recently been having some issues with the downstairs lighting in particular, this has been passed on to the agent but nothing has been done as of yet. I personally don't think it is right and passed on my advice to get a periodic inspection done, as one hasn't been done in at least 3 years, probably more as that is our tenancy and the tenancy before that. Plus when I mentioned this to the agent they said it didn't need to be done, which I understand.

This morning my girlfriend got a shock from the living room light switch, it seemed an earth had popped out.

Question is on looking at the CU I noticed that only certain circuits seem to be RCD protected, I thought 17th Edition stated all circuits need to be RCD protected. I have attached a picture of our CU.

is this correct?

Many Thanks

 

[telectrix]

if that had been installed since 2008, then, yes, twin RCDs or RCBOs. however, if installed prior to 17th., then as long as it's safe for continued use...... a n inspection should be carried out every 5 years or on change of tenancy. however, this is not legally binding. for peace of mind, i'd insist that one was done. as you obviously have some issues .

 

[SJD]

You raise several issues here.

Re CU, there is no requirement to retrospectively upgrade/replace a CU (or fuse box) to comply with the latest regulations (though that might be a recommended improvement).

Re the light switch, you don't elaborate as to why you think "an earth has popped out". Assuming this is a metal light switch, then it should be earthed, but there could be several reasons why it appears to not be, including that an earth has never been connected (often seen on DIY switch changes).

What are the other issues that have not been dealt with? They might suggest it is time a periodic inspection and test was done, but it needs to be done properly by someone properly qualified - all too often I come across these done for a landlord or agent that are worthless because the person ordering the inspection and test has not understood what they are buying and is only interested in the cheapest price.

 

[Simonslimline]

static shock ?

 

[Pete999]

I know it's Christmas, but I can't see any RCDs in your pic

 

[camerabloke]

Have you tried opening your eyes pete

 

[Pete999]

Oh that one?

 

[camerabloke]

Oh that one?

Too much wine?

 

[Pete999]

Probably the best answer yet

 

[telectrix]

pete. it's the one with the 3 yellow buttons on it.:wink_smile:

 

[Pete999]

Yeh Yeh OK lol

 

[Pete999]

That will take some living down, this white wine sure is good, you can have some tomoz camerabloke

 

[telectrix]

we all make mistakes, as the hedgehog said, climbing off the bog brush.

 

[Pete999]

nice one hope you are having a good Christmas

 

[Greeny007]

Thank you for your responses much appreciated. I have very recently passed my level 2 and 17th edition but lack any on site experience hence my questions.

The other issues, it started with the entrance light coming and going off on its own, then the hallway light dimming, brightening at intervals, then the kitchen light which is a 3 way switch, seeming to spark every time the kitchen light way lit (you can see a flash every time it is switched) the other two do not cause a problem, it is this light that has one earth not connected. One of the switches is part of the hallway light and all of the back boxes are metal.

We had a plumber out at the start of week and he had been asked to look at it, did something said it was ok and left, nothing was sorted and all the issues are the same, except for the shock today adding to the list. I have looked and all seems good apart from the earth issue, the agent had told me to not touch as they will sort it and I can't test and inspect anyhow.

I only test certificate I can find is one which was done when they had a dormer loft conversion done in 06 and bar the test results has no other info on at all.

Static shock, I'm not sure the girlfriend described all the pain and more for an electric shock......

Thanks,

Si

 

[camerabloke]

That's if u can find the bottle tomorrow

 

[Pete999]

I'm loggin off had enough

 

[telectrix]

Thank you for your responses much appreciated. I have very recently passed my level 2 and 17th edition but lack any on site experience hence my questions.

The other issues, it started with the entrance light coming and going off on its own, then the hallway light dimming, brightening at intervals, then the kitchen light which is a 3 way switch, seeming to spark every time the kitchen light way lit (you can see a flash every time it is switched) the other two do not cause a problem, it is this light that has one earth not connected. One of the switches is part of the hallway light and all of the back boxes are metal.

We had a plumber out at the start of week and he had been asked to look at it, did something said it was ok and left, nothing was sorted and all the issues are the same, except for the shock today adding to the list. I have looked and all seems good apart from the earth issue, the agent had told me to not touch as they will sort it and I can't test and inspect anyhow.

I only test certificate I can find is one which was done when they had a dormer loft conversion done in 06 and bar the test results has no other info on at all.

Static shock, I'm not sure the girlfriend described all the pain and more for an electric shock......

Thanks,

Si

sounds as though there's a poor connection on the lighting circuit.

 

[camerabloke]

Why did you ask a plumber to look at it? Get an electrician to look at this. We have the correct test equipment and knowledge to resolve this very quickly

 

[Greeny007]

So in this instance should I,

Check the connections and rectify this?

Get the agent to get the landlord the test and inspect and rectify the problem?

I know what I would rather do but I also want to cover my a**e in case what I do would causes problems.