Dangerous electrics in rented house, what can I do?

[Fanon]

Hi,hoping someone knowledgable would be willing to give me some advice.
I moved into a rented house, let but not managed by an agency. I knew the house was quite tatty and was happy to do it up because of a relatively cheap rent. On moving in however it became clear that there were issues with the wiring, for example the power to the utility room was coming through the cooker switch.
I approached the landlord (who Has an office on the same road). He sent round someone who had clearly very little knowledge of the electric wiring. He claimed to be qualified but unwilling to prove it.
Yesterday we paid for an electrician to do a safety check, he found 10 c1and 15 c2/3 issues and said that the whole system dates back to the1940's. he also saw what he thought might be aspestos around an air vent.
We clearly need to move but have no means to do so unless we get our rent in advance and deposit back (it's protected). Landlord seems to be avoiding me today! But am going back to his office in a bit.
I plan to ask him for my money back, but if he says no, it basically leaves us homeless. I really don't want to be at the mercy of the local authority as the chances are we will be miles away from school.
So basically what I need to know is if there is a quick route to getting my money back?

[Cliftonchick]

The Environmental Health Department (part of housing) would have asked the landlord to produce a gas and electrical safety certificate at no cost to you.
I suggest you ring environmental health and ask them to inspect the conditions you are living in.

The landlord will be required to bring the house up to acceptable standards. Good luck.

[2Retts]

Hi Fanon, I agree with Cliftonchick. There is a legal requirement to keep rental properties up to a certain standard as far as gas and electrics are concerned and the landlord is running the risk of falling foul of several authorities in failing to comply.

Is your deposit protected by an insurance based plan or by depositing the money with the protection provider? Have you checked with the relevant provider that it is indeed registered as protected? You should consider writing a letter to them explaining that you will dispute them withholding the deposit in any way for said reasons.

Have a look at the Shelter website and things like that about the rules regarding withholding rent in the meantime (a possible way of building up a deposit for the next property whilst you pursue the legalities with current landlord).

Also, find out if your local authority provide a rent deposit scheme if you're worried about trying to find a new place without sufficient funds.

Take lots of photo's and keep diary entries of the course of events. Take credentials of anybody that visits to inspect (name, company, qualifications etc).

I appreciate this is all very vague but it's a huge subject with many possible avenues...I truly hope you can work something out and that you will see that this is not a hopeless situation.

[Elansofar]

Hi this might fall under sale of goods act. Property has to be fit for purpose by consumer. Have a chat with trading standards at your local authority. Best practise for letting a property is for a landlords electrical safety certificate to be provided to a tenant every 5 years or for every new tenant, but this is not a law, it's just best practise and what an insurer would reasonably require. The law falls under various statutes too numerous to list for a forum but basically the landlord needs to minimise risk of someone being harmed. Hope this helps

[SarahJayne321]

Hi Hun,

Unfortunately it is no longer a requirement that a landlord produces an electrical safety certificate. However if you contact environmental health the will speak to your landlord, and give him an order to get the works done within a strict time limit. If he does not he will be faced with an extremely hefty fine.