UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all. I am new to all this so please be gentle! I'm an accidental landlord. I moved in with my elderly mother during the first lockdown and having realised I wouldn't be able to return home for a long time I let my house. I have just had the electrical report carried out and it needs re wiring. I was made redundant last year too and I just can not afford the work but I'm worried where I stand legally. If I give my tenant notice, it could take her 6 months to find a new place and I'm assuming that if there was a problem with the electrics during this time I wouldn't be covered on the insurance etc? I'm at a loss and do not know what options I have. Any advice appreciated! Thanks!

No,I don't believe you would be covered.It might be worth getting a second opinion,maybe only part rewiring could be possible? Have you discussed this with the tenant? She might be prepared to move earlier,but it's unlikely.Did you protect the deposit? 

Prior to this...

Unless you already see, understand and accept the rationale for a full rewire...

I would contemplate engaging another Electrician... explaining off-the-bat that you've had someone recommend a full rewire... and you're (I expect) unconvinced of the need... and, as not all Electricians are the same, the next one might come out with a different result. Wires are wires. What can you think of that might require a full rewire? Different colours? No. No Earth? Maybe if there's metal light fittings etc., but there may be an easier way around that. Gradual degradation of the wires in the wall? I dunno. How old is the property? What is the reason you've been given? Do you understand it and accept it?

If you cannot do this, get a report with more minor remedial work or just advisories, then you must follow-through on the remediation work... and soon. You cannot ignore it.

My general stance is that many Electricians are pricing-in whatever they think will fly. I've had 4 EICRs done so far, 2 are waiting until May due to Tenants being difficult (others didn't need doing) and before I engaged an Electrician I spoke to a few and sounded them out... my remedial work so far has been £70, one issue in one property. Another Electrician I spoke to resulted in us disagreeing about the validity of an existing EICR upon Tenant change... and I could sense a desire within him to [recommend the] swap-out [of] any non-metal Consumer Board he came across.

Thanks for your reply HeavyKarma Yes, I did protect the deposit and no, I've not discussed it yet with the tenant yet. I plan on doing so tomorrow.  Thanks

Hippogriff. Thanks. Do you mean getting another EICR carried out? I did consider this but the tenant was being difficult about this one as they both work. I am still waiting for the report from the electrician which is annoying as it's been a few days now. He text me saying "needs a re wire" and that was it! May be worth spending another 185 if it could possible save me a few Grand!

Forgot to say,property is 1960s. Ex authority, probably original wiring I guess?

Quote from: Neb1 on April 22, 2021, 07:13:53 PMHe text me saying "needs a re wire" and that was it!

Maybe you have jumped the gun? Why not wait for the report and discuss it with him and / or another Electrician..? And then decide next steps...

He should have issued you with a certificate saying it FAILED.
Then the work has to be done and then a new certificate issued.
If its such an old house probably does need a full rewire.
I had a fuse board put in 10 years ago and the electrician failed it, cost £700 to get a new modern one.
Its certainly not cheap but required by law and lasts for five years before it has to be done again.  Gas has to be done yearly.

He should give you a detailed certificate with all the faults and his recommendations.
That will need to be given to the tenant.
I had 2 done last year