This was sent to me by a customer from their lettings agent:
Dear xxxxxxxx
Further to our electrical contractors visit to xxxxxxxxx please see below his report.
"The consumer unit at the above property has been changed at some point and in itself is compliant. One small issue on the consumer unit is that there is no cover on the spare circuit breaker position. This leaves access to live parts and becomes a Code 1 issue on testing. Further note on the consumer unit is that the cover/ flap that covers the circuit breakers is missing. This has been removed to allow the consumer unit to fit inside the existing wooden cupboard. This would be a Code 3 issue which although not a failure would require improvement.
I also have concerns about the wiring as it is original cabling. From a visual inspection of the lighting circuits the circuit protective conductor (earth cable) doesn’t seem to be continuous to all switches and pendants. Also on removing the kitchen switches, I found the original porcelain screw on joints to be in use, these have long since been outlawed. There should be an original certificate to accompany the consumer unit change and these items should be detailed on this, if possible it would be good to see this."
We are concerned that the rewiring work required to the property will be impossible to carry out whilst tenants are living in the property and it may be better to allow the current tenancy to run onto a periodic tenancy at the end of this term on 1st August and serve notice on the tenants early next year so that this work can be carried out when the house is vacant and before the deadline for this work on 1/4/21.
Do let us know if you have any queries regarding the above and whether you can find the old certificate for the consumer unit in your paperwork for xxxxxxxxxxxxx If so please can you send this over to us.
For the record I don't think this is acceptable practice
Dear xxxxxxxx
Further to our electrical contractors visit to xxxxxxxxx please see below his report.
"The consumer unit at the above property has been changed at some point and in itself is compliant. One small issue on the consumer unit is that there is no cover on the spare circuit breaker position. This leaves access to live parts and becomes a Code 1 issue on testing. Further note on the consumer unit is that the cover/ flap that covers the circuit breakers is missing. This has been removed to allow the consumer unit to fit inside the existing wooden cupboard. This would be a Code 3 issue which although not a failure would require improvement.
I also have concerns about the wiring as it is original cabling. From a visual inspection of the lighting circuits the circuit protective conductor (earth cable) doesn’t seem to be continuous to all switches and pendants. Also on removing the kitchen switches, I found the original porcelain screw on joints to be in use, these have long since been outlawed. There should be an original certificate to accompany the consumer unit change and these items should be detailed on this, if possible it would be good to see this."
We are concerned that the rewiring work required to the property will be impossible to carry out whilst tenants are living in the property and it may be better to allow the current tenancy to run onto a periodic tenancy at the end of this term on 1st August and serve notice on the tenants early next year so that this work can be carried out when the house is vacant and before the deadline for this work on 1/4/21.
Do let us know if you have any queries regarding the above and whether you can find the old certificate for the consumer unit in your paperwork for xxxxxxxxxxxxx If so please can you send this over to us.
For the record I don't think this is acceptable practice
