Where does my responsibility lie?

[Marie-Claire]

I was asked to look at a property today for an opinion, the property is owned by a landlord and has tennants currently living there, it has not had a periodic for many years. The consumer unit is an old re-wireable fuse one. I found a lot of things in the property that didn't comply, no earth bonding on the pipes, the cooker socket was spured off a double socket that wasn't easily accessible and looked bodged, there is a leak in the bathroom which runs through one of the kitchen lights, there is arking in all of the upstairs lights, the shower pull cord was hanging off and the tennant claimed she had a few mild shocks off the livingroom sockets (brass plated) and it never tripped. The re-wireable fuse box had no earth to which the tennant called out her supplier and they put in an earth. These examples were amongst other things that didnt comply I had a word with the landlord and told him a full test and inspection was needed and i'd reccommend a re-wire as the wiring was in poor condition. The landlord was not happy that i suggested this and claims that he cant afford to have the work done. The tennant has young children and insists that the landlord will not take necessary action. I fear that the tennants safety are at risk. Is there anything i need to do, i can't stop worrying about the children

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Install main bonding before undertaking ANY OTHER WORK here wont you marie-claire.........

 

[telectrix]

i'd issue him with a danger notice . give the tenant a copy and advise her to contact the local council.

 

[topquark]

Always a difficult one. There are things obviously not right there. I would try to convince him to have the full test and then use the results as evidence to try to convince him to have any 1's and 2's sorted. You could also then politely point out that his insurance would probably not pay up if there was a fault/fire given the condition.

Just don't be talked into doing any work there unless they're having the defects corrected, as an unscrupulous landlord could try to blame you.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Is there an earth on the lighting? I suspect not and as such those brass fronts really should be replaced with plastic ones.....as should any class 1 (metal) light fittings.........

 

[Marie-Claire]

he has not asked me to carry out any work, it needs a lot doing which he seems unwilling to have done by myself or anyone else due to 'costs'

 

[topquark]

If you consider it dangerous (with leaking water around it probably is, unless he's getting that fixed) then do as Tel suggests.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Yes I'd start off with informing the Landlord, that the installation is dangerous, and that if anything happened to the tennant or her children, that he would likely to be taken to court.
If he still quibbles, then I'd issue a danger notice, and issue it to the tennant, perhaps two copies.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

You mentioned about the cooker socket being spurred off another socket marie-claire......dont forget cookers over 2KW need their own circuit......

 

[Marie-Claire]

Is there an earth on the lighting? I suspect not and as such those brass fronts really should be replaced with plastic ones.....as should any class 1 (metal) light fittings.........

i changed the brass socket to a plastic one, and rectified an hazzard for the safety of the tennants

 

[Guest123]

Issue a danger warning notification certificate that both of you sign.

Other than that there isn't a lot more you can do. Do the tennants have any kind of tennancy agreement via a letting agent perhaps???

 

[GLENNSPARK]

he has not asked me to carry out any work, it needs a lot doing which he seems unwilling to have done by myself or anyone else due to 'costs'

Was it the landlord (if you could call him that) who requested you look at this install as it seems he`s happy just to sweep it all under the carpet.............

 

[Marie-Claire]

You mentioned about the cooker socket being spurred off another socket marie-claire......dont forget cookers over 2KW need their own circuit......

i know this, the consumer unit needs upgrading, i know all that should be done and what the regulations are, i just need to know what to do if the landlord doesn't get the work carried out and leaves the tennants at risk

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i changed the brass socket to a plastic one, and rectified an hazzard for the safety of the tennants

Nice one marie-:biggrin:claire

 

[Deleted member 26818]

To be honest with you, all you can do is leave it in the hands of the tennant to sort out.
If you provide her with a copy of the danger notice, then she will at least have some amunition.
She may even be able to get the local Council to step in and help.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i know this, the consumer unit needs upgrading, i know all that should be done and what the regulations are, i just need to know what to do if the landlord doesn't get the work carried out and leaves the tennants at risk

Well legally you cant force him to do anything about it....just issue it with a danger notice and inform the council,...you could try the morality card with him though (his duties and responsibilities n all that) but if he wont play ball then as tel , lenny etc

 

[RexT]

Hi,
I would agree with the comments above and would suggest that you put it in writing to the landlord and the tenant.
The cost of putting it right is the landlords problem and you should consider ensuring that your views are correctly recorded so that at a later date no misunderstandings can arise on what was said.
Best wishes
Rex

 

[Marie-Claire]

Yes I'd start off with informing the Landlord, that the installation is dangerous, and that if anything happened to the tennant or her children, that he would likely to be taken to court.
If he still quibbles, then I'd issue a danger notice, and issue it to the tennant, perhaps two copies.

I told him that the electrics was dangerous and i fear it could result in a death to which he would be prosecuted for. I'm hoping he will have a consience and do the right thing. How do i issue a danger notice?

 

[Marie-Claire]

To be honest with you, all you can do is leave it in the hands of the tennant to sort out.
If you provide her with a copy of the danger notice, then she will at least have some amunition.
She may even be able to get the local Council to step in and help.

The tennant seemed to know i was going to confirm to the landlord what she had been telling him all along, she said she knew her rights and was going to get the enviromental health involved. Naturally i did not want to be in the middle of the dispute but i felt it was only right to inform the tennant that the installation didn't comply with the required safety standards

 

[Marie-Claire]

the landlord informed me it was a private tennancy agreement amonst themselves to cut out costs