Kitchen electrics??

[sturose]

Hi, I am concerned about an electrical outlet by my kitchen sink. I have read numerous threads on here concerning this but this has to hazardous.

I am living in rented accomodation and the electrics in my home are at best shoddy and at worst dangerous in my opinion, as I am not a qualified electrician I obviously cannot make that judgement though.

My landlord arranged for an inspection a few months ago and I informed the guy who came round about my concerns but never heard anything since. I am now looking for as much ammunition as possible to force my LL to carry out the neccessary work to make my home safe.

The pictures are of a socket next to my kitchen sink, the spoon is there to give an indication of the height from the work surface. I know there are no actual regulations concerning this but surely judging by the state of the live terminal and the damage to the plug as pictured there should be!!

This is one of many problems including a light fitting which blows bulbs immediately they are replaced (I have unscrewed the cap and there are loose wires inside), a light switch which is secured with only one screw and doesn't appear to work all the time and two double sockets which when items are plugged in work intermittently if the are knocked or touched in any way.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[malcolmsanford]

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/138307.pdf


On the above PDF file look at pages 4 and 5 and you will see that what you have posted comes under your concerns


http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/electrical_safety.htm


As you will see on this site that you do have recourse from the H & S executive and that is who I would be contacting as soon as possible supply them with those pictures and your other problems

 

[Rockingit]

Hi Stu,

in no particular order:

yes, the siting of that socket is less than ideal but doesn't necessarily break any regs as it looks like it's been there a long time. For that reason, you may struggle to justify getting it moved (even though there's not a spark on this site that won't tell you that it should be).

The LL's inspection report would have been sent to him (as the person ordering the work - Reg 634.1) and there is no obligation to provide you with a copy (although it's commonly done as a courtesy).

The burning is most likely to be caused by a poor connection (not tight enough) but that could have occurred either in the plug OR the socket. If it's only just happened since the inspection then it's possible the inspector tested that socket and failed to reconnect properly, but without seeing it in person it's hard to tell.

As for other fixtures and lights, it sounds like the whole property could do with a looking over and a report being made by a qualified sparks. If your LL just doesn't care less, then it might pay you in the long term to fork out for someone to do a periodic inspection yourself, so that you can present the findings to the LL and remind him of his obligations under the Act.

 

[sturose]

Thanks for the replies.

I will have a read through the pdf later as I have to go out now.

Regarding the testing of the socket, the person who came to check the electrics didn't touch that socket, I don't think he even noticed it. The connections in the plug were ok as I had fitted the plug myself and I am always very careful to ensure a safe connection when I wire any plug.

With regards to the location of the socket, I know there are no regs and the socket has without doubt been there a long time but even though I am not an electrician I would NEVER have a socket that close to running water or a sink full of water!

Thanks.

 

[polo1]

Hi,
are you a tenant of a private landlord, a Housing Assoc or a Council? If you have a private landlord, some of the less scrupulous ones will simply try to avoid spending money on repairs and if you create a fuss, look to get you out when the lease ends. If you have tried to get the landlord to do repairs/take your concerns seriously and he/she has not, then contact you local Council - they will have a section which deals with this (might be Environmental Health or a specific team dealing with registration of private landlords).

Sadly, if you do have to contact the Council, then you do run the risk of your landlord ending your lease, seeing you as a trouble-maker.

If you are a tenant of a Housing Association or Council, then complain to their Repairs/Maintenance Manager or if that fails, Director/CEO. You are paying rent and you have a right to safe services. no matter who your landlord is.

Good luck!

 

[sturose]

It is a private landlord and I did think about the trouble it could cause if I start complaining. There is a shortage of rental properties in my area so I would have to tread carefully. Having said that I do value my familys safety rather more than my landlords pride.