Electrical inspections on rented properties

[down2earth]

Hi all,

Chum at work is about to try and rent out his property, does anyone know if a) an electrical inspection is mandatory before renting and what does it cover? and b) does the property need to conform to 17th edition.
I gather the most of the wiring dates back several years so he may be in for a shock (no pun intended)

Thanks for any help

Down2earth

 

[Mark.W]

It is advisable to have a PIR done on the property however it is not mandatory!

Regards
Mark

 

[Steve1412]

Not big into this field but if you rent out your property do you then become a landlord and have all the responsibilities of one?? gas checks etc??

 

[Mark.W]

I used to rent out a small 1 bed house, and used an agency to do it. All that was required is that I had a gas safety certificate done and that all electrical equipment (such as washing machine, fridge etc) get PAT tested.

There was no formal requirement to have the electrics inspected and tested!

This was nearly 3 years ago and might have changed now, but as far as I am aware, there is still no requirment to have a PIR done when renting out the propery.

I have also heard that the electrics need inspecting and testing at every change of occupancy to a premises, but according to the local estate agents in my area, that is not necessary.

Regards
Mark

 

[ian.settle1]

Hi all,

Chum at work is about to try and rent out his property, does anyone know if a) an electrical inspection is mandatory before renting and what does it cover? and b) does the property need to conform to 17th edition.
I gather the most of the wiring dates back several years so he may be in for a shock (no pun intended)

Thanks for any help

Down2earth

Check with the local council as I think you need a certificate of registration from them saying it is OK or something.

See below

Letting your property : Directgov - Home and community

 

[roukel01]

Guidance Note 3 states that:

A landlord is required to provide a tenant with an electrical installation in good condition and repair.

Its all part of the electricity at work act, one way of conforming to this is to have the installation inpected and tested on a regular basis (The recomendation is every 5 years or change of occupancy in a rented house).

You'll probably get away with not having one done, however the problems occur if anything goes wrong, i.e a fire or a tenant gets a nasty shock.

 

[ohmeelectrical]

In todays litigation society you would be mad not to have regular inspections on the electrics or it is only a matter of time before you are sued. I found this a useful guide to various laws and their interpretations regarding landlords
Electrical Safety in Rental Property - LandlordZONE

 

[BillR3]

Rental properties should have periodic inspections carried out at change of tenancy.
BillR3

 

[Spudnik]

Indeed.

Im only just repeating whats already been posted, but at the moment, there is no legal requirement for PIR to be carried out on rental properties, however, the landlord has a 'duty of care' and can be prosecuted if he fails to maintain a safe installation.

 

[ohmeelectrical]

Spot on Jason S

 

[down2earth]

Thanks for all the really useful replies, as ever you have come up trumps

Down2earth