Checking to see if a property has poor or unsafe electrics could save you money. Before purchasing or renting a property check that there is a current electrical installation certificate. Besides helping you save your life or avoid injury, it could help to reduce the property purchase price or rent. A full re-wire of a standard 3 bedroom house could cost £3500
A structural survey has does not necessarily include an assessment of the condition of the electrics. Equally very few estate agents evaluations take into account the wiring. Identifying that a property has poor or unsafe electrics could reduce the price of a 3-4 bedroom property from between 3-10K. Until new legislation comes into effect the "Home information Pack(HIP) does not require CORGI gas or NICEIC electrical safety certification.
Besides the age of the property, new safety standards like low level voltage in bathrooms, earthing and insulation standards of electrical cables, have all been upgraded. Old electrical installations, even in properties that have been rewired in the last 10 years, may still not meet current safety regulations.
Furthermore, failure to copmply with these regulations may invalidate your insurance.
Landlords
Landlords can no longer let properties without a current test certificate at change of tenancy or change of occupancy; It will, cost you a £5,000.00 pound fine or a 6 month prison sentence for every instance.
Landlords that let properties with appliances must have those appliances PAT tested by law.
No work can be carried out within a domestic property unless you are an Approved Domestic Installer. Or you must notify the local building control services and pay the appropriate fees. (Cheaper to use a domestic approved installer).
Business premises must have current Test certification or they are in breach of Health and Safety.
Business premises must have all appliance tested under the PAT regulation or they are in breach of Health and safety.
Fact - Insurance companies are beginning to refuse to pay claims because of no proof of Certification.
Fact - currently there are a number of cases, totally over £500,000.00 in fines and in some cases the Crown Prosecution Services with the Health and safety executive pushing for murder charges, due to faulty and or bad wiring.
Can you afford to ignore the LAW?
What do you do now?
Ensure you are up to date and in compliance with the latest laws:
Use a domestic approved installer to test and certify your electrical installations.
Use tradesman with PAT testing qualifications to test your Portable Appliances
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