UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi, I would urgently need advices on the below, and I really hope someone could be of help.

- My flat does not use gas.
- The hot water is being supplied from a hot water cylinder and the hot water cylinder is being plugged onto an electricity socket (without switches) to get hot water. I think this is called an immersion heater.
- As for heating, my flat is a small studio and I provided my tenant with a protable electrical radiator.

I have to replace my old immersion heater with a new one. It is used only for hot water supply. The organization that will replace it says it will be done like-for-like.

My questions are :

1)  How do I know if they really replace it like-for-like ?

2) What should I be aware of ?

3) What should I watch out for ?

4) Do I need any kind of certificates / reports for the replacement ?

5) The immersion heater was already in my flat when I got the flat. I am not sure of the regulations here. Do we have to register such item ? If yes, I am not sure if the old owner has already register it ? If he has not, do I have to register it with the replacement - even when it is like for like ? How do I go about this ?

Looking forward to kind feedback.

Thank you.

No,you don't have to do anything.This is a very common repair,just keep the receipt for tax records and the guarantee.You don't have to have electrical safety checks by law,but it is considered good practice to do so every few years.Some LA's request that landlords provide them.There is not much price difference as far as I know with basic immersion heaters,so can't imagine why they would not use the same type again.

Thank you, Heavykarma. Much appreciate feedback. I didn't know we don't have to have electrical safety checks by law - I thought it is compulsory with every change of tenancy ? An electrician I have used sometime back told me that and I ensure I have an EICR done with each change of tenancy.

The Electrician may be lying to you in an effort to get more business?

It is never necessary to have an EICR done on a normal - typical - property that is let. Electricians would, surely, this like to change... and it might.