UK Metal consumer units

Elvistcb · Jul 17, 2025

Hi, I am a landlord and have just had an electricians report for my rented property. It says that the consumer unit

need replacing as it is plastic and need to be metal as they are in the stairwell and apparently in the fire escape route. They have quoted £1800 which seems very high to me. Its only a 5 switch box! see attached pic.
Their covering letter states ....
"following on from the recent EICR's on the building, this quote is to rectify all c2 observations as highlighted on page 2 of the 3 separate reports, mainly installing new fire rated consumer units and isolators within fire escapes, and also includes replacing the light and time switch on the top floor of the stairwell.
It also includes replacing the mains operated smoke and heat alarms to flat 1 which are out of date.
certificates provided on completion."

Am I being ripped off?

Thanks in advance

Pretty Mouth · Jul 17, 2025

The guidance that I work to has this as a C3 non compliance, so wouldn't need replacing for a satisfactory outcome. It's the last entry on page 23:

Edit: link wouldn't work.

https://tinyurl.com/4tr6rrna

Spoon · Jul 18, 2025

If you are not changing the CU then you could consider adding something like this to it, to make it safer.
Automatic Fire Suppressors

cliffed · Jul 19, 2025

Elvistcb said:
Hi, I am a landlord and have just had an electricians report for my rented property. It says that the consumer unitView attachment 122622 need replacing as it is plastic and need to be metal as they are in the stairwell and apparently in the fire escape route. They have quoted £1800 which seems very high to me. Its only a 5 switch box! see attached pic.
Their covering letter states ....
"following on from the recent EICR's on the building, this quote is to rectify all c2 observations as highlighted on page 2 of the 3 separate reports, mainly installing new fire rated consumer units and isolators within fire escapes, and also includes replacing the light and time switch on the top floor of the stairwell.
It also includes replacing the mains operated smoke and heat alarms to flat 1 which are out of date.
certificates provided on completion."

Am I being ripped off?View attachment 122623
Thanks in advance

It seems wherever a Plastic CU is being used let’s replace it, they are a lot of disagreements about this especially in Landlord’s property.
The outcome really depends on its condition & where it’s located, but yes C3

richy3333 · Jul 19, 2025

I’d be more concerned that the landlord CU has one rcd protecting 5 circuits in the common areas. When that trips everything will go off.

The grey pvc cable between the Henley blocks and isolator is poor. The installer has used tape to cover over single insulated conductors.

brianmoooore · Jul 19, 2025

richy3333 said:
The grey pvc cable between the Henley blocks and isolator is poor. The installer has used tape to cover over single insulated conductors.

Cable between the Henley blocks and isolator is fine. I think you mean the cable between the blocks and the switch/fuse on the right, and between the isolator and switch/fuse on the left.
Difficult to understand why anyone would have done it like this. Much easier with tails, and wouldn't have produced the problem referred to above.

Eandyl · Jul 19, 2025

Elvistcb said:
Hi, I am a landlord and have just had an electricians report for my rented property. It says that the consumer unitView attachment 122622 need replacing as it is plastic and need to be metal as they are in the stairwell and apparently in the fire escape route. They have quoted £1800 which seems very high to me. Its only a 5 switch box! see attached pic.
Their covering letter states ....
"following on from the recent EICR's on the building, this quote is to rectify all c2 observations as highlighted on page 2 of the 3 separate reports, mainly installing new fire rated consumer units and isolators within fire escapes, and also includes replacing the light and time switch on the top floor of the stairwell.
It also includes replacing the mains operated smoke and heat alarms to flat 1 which are out of date.
certificates provided on completion."

Am I being ripped off?View attachment 122623
The full revie is here betbazar Thanks in advance

A split-load board or RCBOs might be worth considering if you're already replacing the CU.

Elvistcb · Jul 23, 2025

Thank you all very much for your word of wisdom. very helpful and much appreciated that you took the time to answer me.

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