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Property/DIY

Electric and Gas Safety Checks

6 replies

Redhound · 31/03/2016 19:29

Just had my new buy to let property gas and electric-safety checked. I was shocked to find that the gas fire was a carbon monozide hazard and the immersion heater had been disconnected and left with a live wire! All being sorted now, but this is a little 2-bed, mid 90s semi-detached, so one wouldn't particularly expect these sort of problems. So, just a warning really- that it's always vital to get these checks done before a tenant moves in- it crossed my mind that it's lucky it was for rental as a private buyer might well not have had these checks carried out :(

OP posts:
specialsubject · 01/04/2016 13:21

yes, that's why it is illegal to rent out a property without a current gas safe certificate. While an electrical check isn't mandatory, you'd be stupid not to go over the place thoroughly.

Buy to own people are allowed to suffocate or fry, that's their call. Although you would hope most would get things checked or have a look. A mid 90s house is 20 years old and that's plenty of time for tinkering. Although I'd trust a new build even less!

As this place has evidently had dodgy stuff done, you'd better check EVERYTHING before your tenant moves in. Probably loads more to uncover.

Redhound · 01/04/2016 17:11

Surely a new build would have the higher latest standards though?!
What else is there to check then, do you reckon, other than the above and a survey? I don't think there is anything left to check!

OP posts:
Redhound · 01/04/2016 17:12

Oh legionella of course, thats been done too

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specialsubject · 01/04/2016 17:34

Some examples of what we discovered in our rental after purchase during our refit, following the survey:

  • washing machine plumbing leaking
  • main stopcock jammed solid
  • TRVs not working (they have a limited life, no survey will spot this but your tenant will notice if they don't work)
  • bath not properly supported. Toilet overflow going INSIDE property. (we replaced the entire bathroom which is how we found these shockers)
  • sink plug leaking into cupboard below when sink filled (surveyors don't fill sinks but inhabitants do)
  • no accessible stop valve for the shower (given that showers are consumables so you need to be able to turn them off in a hurry if they fail)
  • wobbly steps in garden
  • wobbly fence panel
  • front door not closing without a big push.


(gas system was fine. Electrical check was also well worth doing as threw up some nasties)

....and that's just what I remember. All fixed and all to be expected when you take on a property - but you really need to go over a rental with a fine toothcomb before letting it. When you live somewhere, you find all this out - tenants are not to be used as testers as you appreciate.

new builds? Done in a hurry with the cheapest materials and no-one has lived in them to sort it out. No thanks!
Redhound · 01/04/2016 18:03

That's useful, thanks. I previously let out a flat and had a few of these kinds of issues.
Its certainly a worry that many of these could not be discovered unless the place was ripped apart.
I wanted to have time to do the place up slowly, but the tenant wants/needs to move in very soon so I will do my best, I cannot think of any other safety issues anyway. I am having the smoke detectors wired in too, as during property inspections for other people I have been surprised at how often the tenants have not checked/replaced the batteries. Any other suggestions always gratefully accepted, there is always something new to learn.
Oh and which landlord's association do you recommend please?

OP posts:
Redhound · 01/04/2016 18:06

Oh and a builder friend hates the new builds with a passion, he reckons they are not going to last unlike traditionally built property. I recently saw new builds going up with fake plastic chimneys, apparently thats normal now Hmm

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