How would you fix the install of this 2 gang socket?

[cjc1867]

Hi
I noticed a 2 gang socket that was broken in half in one of my Landlord's properties that I was getting ready for the next tenants.

I bought a new one and wired it and then attempted to screw it to the back box. It was a tight fit and I couldn't get the front of the socket to sit flush with the wall.

I ended up leaving it and carried on with another job. I went back to it the other day and had another go. I unravelled the wires and was amazed how long they were so no wonder I had trouble fitting it.

I can't screw the back box in properly as you can see from the photo attached. It only had 1 screw in place and that was cockeyed.

Whoever has done this job has made a right botched job of this and I don't know what to do to repair it.

If you came face to face with this problem, what would you do to fix it?

Cheers

Colin

 

[LukeD]

Give me the percentages of bad/good landlords, and then the same for bad/good tenants. Please quote sources.

The bad tenant thing is not the issue been discussed .... The facts remain, a customer needs to be kept up to speed if any issues that might mean extra costs . They tend to hate paying real rates ! And 40 years based around London has given me the right to say most landlords tend to really want to skimp when they can and cut legal corners if possible .

 

[nicebutdim]

The bad tenant thing is not the issue been discussed .... The facts remain, a customer needs to be kept up to speed if any issues that might mean extra costs . They tend to hate paying real rates ! And 40 years based around London has given me the right to say most landlords tend to really want to skimp when they can and cut legal corners if possible .

Considering the number of landlords in London, it does nothing of the sort. Your experience is just that and no one is denying that there are many landlords who are far from responsible.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The bad tenant thing is not the issue been discussed .... The facts remain, a customer needs to be kept up to speed if any issues that might mean extra costs . They tend to hate paying real rates ! And 40 years based around London has given me the right to say most landlords tend to really want to skimp when they can and cut legal corners if possible .

You obviously work at the lower end of the market, in my experience in London, the vast majority of Landlords want a legal job and want their lets to be compliant.

 

[cjc1867]

Well done for spotting the short. Yes I caused a short trying to tighten the socket. These wires look way too long and hence the reason why it won't tighten up...

I think the Live might be too short now but I will check.

There's another socket further down the room like for each side of the bed.

I replaced a light fitting by the doorway and the wiring doesn't look right. There was no ceiling rose and the 2 wires for the brass light were connected to a choc box and no earth attached to the metal casing. This light is not on a two way switch either as the light is positioned on the ground floor and the flat is on the next floor up.

So it looks like some corners have been cut and maybe by the landlord and yes he does like cheap jobs being done.

I on the other hand would like to do the job properly but I'm lacking a bit of knowledge, hence the reason for asking advice.

Colin

 

[DPG]

Well done for spotting the short. Yes I caused a short trying to tighten the socket. These wires look way too long and hence the reason why it won't tighten up...

I think the Live might be too short now but I will check.

There's another socket further down the room like for each side of the bed.

I replaced a light fitting by the doorway and the wiring doesn't look right. There was no ceiling rose and the 2 wires for the brass light were connected to a choc box and no earth attached to the metal casing. This light is not on a two way switch either as the light is positioned on the ground floor and the flat is on the next floor up.

So it looks like some corners have been cut and maybe by the landlord and yes he does like cheap jobs being done.

I on the other hand would like to do the job properly but I'm lacking a bit of knowledge, hence the reason for asking advice.

Colin

Has the landlord had an EICR carried out for the property? And is there RCD protection to these circuits?

Just worried that if anything goes wrong in the future (eg tenant receives electric shock etc), you're the one who touched the electrics last.

 

[littlespark]

You shouldn’t be touching the electrics.

Your landlord is legally obliged to make sure his accommodation is safe.

 

[DPG]

You shouldn’t be touching the electrics.

Your landlord is legally obliged to make sure his accommodation is safe.

I reckon the OP is a handyman and just going as far as like for like replacements normally. Be interesting to see if any EICR has been done

 

[cjc1867]

2 x 2 gang sockets were broken, I replaced the other one with no problems so this one should have been the same but it wasn't.

I will ask about the EICR when I see him later.

Simple socket changing isn't a problem for me, it's the other side of the socket is where I am struggling with.

Colin

 

[DPG]

2 x 2 gang sockets were broken, I replaced the other one with no problems so this one should have been the same but it wasn't.

I will ask about the EICR when I see him later.

Simple socket changing isn't a problem for me, it's the other side of the socket is where I am struggling with.

Colin

When you sort the lamp which isn't earthed, how will you test it?

I'd be wary of doing any work at this property, even like-for-like swaps until you know if it has had an EICR.