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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be uneasy about being out of the house in this situation

28 replies

GetSquiggling · 03/02/2021 15:55

Hi

Wasn't sure where to post this, so popping it here for traffic because I'm not sure whether or not I am being silly.

I have an anxiety related mental health disorder, so I know I can be a bit neurotic - but I've always valued my privacy and don't like the idea of people I don't know having unfettered access to my home when I'm not there.

My landlord rang me today to say he needs to set up a time for an electricity check of my house (apparently this is mandatory now?) and it legally needs to be done by next month.

Apparently, because of the pandemic, I would have to vacate the house for 2 hours whilst the electricity people are round.

I questioned this, as I thought if work people were in a house you just had to be in a different room in terms of Covid risk (I wouldn't want to be putting anyone at risk and have endeavoured to follow the rules up until now). He said it was because one electrician would be in one part of the house and another in another part of the house when the checks were being made.

I really don't feel comfortable about people I don't know alone in my home for 2 hours. It's not that I think I'm particularly interesting or have anything particularly valuable knocking around. It just makes me feel really uncomfortable and anxious.

(Add to that, my landlord is suddenly talking about doing a load of jobs in the house that have needed doing for years - he's said before that he's not planning on selling the house, but I'm feeling a bit distrustful).

Am I being unreasonable not to want to do this, or is this just a standard thing that I'm being a bit silly about?

Thanks

OP posts:
RuthW · 03/02/2021 16:04

I wouldn't be leaving my house for two hours.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 03/02/2021 16:27

Electrical safety checks are mandatory - but that doesn't mean being absent from your home is.

I'd respond that of course you will allow the electrician access to your home, but you will not be vacating the premises.

IMNOTSHOUTING · 03/02/2021 16:28

I should have thought being in a seperate room and properly ventilating the house should be sufficient. If it's raining I'm not even sure where you could possibly go for two hours anyway.

addler · 03/02/2021 16:36

We had ours done a couple of weeks ago, we stayed in the flat the entire time.

Thepilotlightsgoneout · 03/02/2021 16:40

Do you have a garden? Or could you sit in a room with the windows open?

I think I’d be a bit suspicious as I don’t think these are the rules with regard to tradesman in your home so why is the LL so insistent?

TheUnquestionedAnswer · 03/02/2021 16:46

Can anyone send me a link about the mandatory checks. I'm a bit concerned about the electrics in my flat...recently had a burnt out wiring situation which had not triggered the cut out on fuse box. thanks

SpaceRaiders · 03/02/2021 16:55

As others have said sit in a separate room with the windows open. Then once they’re done air the house. Or at worst sit in your car on the drive? They can’t insist you to leave the house for two hours during lock down, where do they expect you go?

Original poster
GetSquiggling · 03/02/2021 17:08

I'm part of a bubble being a single mum - so I could go round there - it's just the idea of people I don't know being in my house without me there that's making me feel uneasy.

OP posts:
TheUnquestionedAnswer · 03/02/2021 17:25

I found it

here

KindnessCrusader · 03/02/2021 20:24

How strange that you've posted this, I've just come on to post similar!
I agreed to an electric test on the understanding it was an in and out job looking at the fuse box and that they would wear a mask (as would I!) The guy turned up this morning and told me it will take 2.5-3 hours and he needs to unplug and plug back every appliance in the house. So not only will he be here with our family if 6 for potentially 3 hours, he'll be touching everything. In a pandemic. I've not met my Niece and Nephew that have both been born in the last 3 months, so I'm certainly not allowing this. I thought it was absolutely bizarre that the usually very sensible agents would even consider it?! When I phoned they said it would need to be done by April.

KindnessCrusader · 03/02/2021 20:26

Apologies for mistakes-sausage fingers!

WouldstrokeTomHardy · 03/02/2021 20:31

@kindness. Not sure if this helps but we have to have one before April too. I've said no. The landlord cannot get into trouble if they can prove they have made many attempts to do the work. My landlord has accepted written confirmation from me that I refuse this during covid

Mus1cMan1a · 03/02/2021 21:02

It's an electrical safety check

The new rules are every 5 years

Gas safety checks are once per year

underneaththeash · 03/02/2021 21:23

I'm a landlord and I'd get it done. We have 4 rental properties that had to have electrical checks in the last 6 months. The all came back with either okay or something that can wait until after lockdown (I understand that the regs changed 18 mo ago) apart from one that was actually dangerous. We obviously changed the fuse board immediately.

The point being - they're done for a reason.

Notnt · 03/02/2021 21:30

YANBU, I'd tell them you have nowhere to go for 2 hours, it shouldn't be a problem if you're in a different room.

KindnessCrusader · 03/02/2021 22:03

@WouldstrokeTomHardy oh I'm glad it's not just me! I just think we've been so careful-we haven't attended family funerals, or seen our parents, Grandparents or new family members. Doing this would be a silly risk for us.
Thanks for replying!

lookingsusbro · 04/02/2021 16:12

I understand that it has to be done and it's for the tenant's safety but where are you supposed to go for two hours in a pandemic?

I'd agree to the check beinrg done but tell the landlord you'll be staying in the house for the duration.

Reinventinganna · 04/02/2021 17:02

We just had one. We opened all of the windows and sat upstairs when they were downstairs and then swapped.
Definitely get it done but speak to the electricians about how you can manage the risk.

Rainbowx · 04/02/2021 17:36

I had mine last year I stayed in flat windows open made sure he was masked up etc etc dettol sprayed him and my flat !

FossilisedFanny · 04/02/2021 17:41

I would be wondering why he wants you out of the house- could he be getting an estate agent round to value the property?

Angelofdeath · 04/02/2021 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Alwaysandforeverhere · 04/02/2021 17:52

We are due ours soon I’m awaiting the call from the man booked to do it. No mention of leaving the house and frankly the landlord knows we won’t because I’m got children expected to be online for live lessons. I even checked the power won’t be off at all due to the live lessons.

Gonegrey31 · 04/02/2021 17:53

It is a legal requirement and the new check is much more thorough than previous ones. You should be helpful in getting it done. My flat (small) took about an hour, a few things needed fixing as a result. Landlords are potentially in trouble if this is not carried out promptly.

BlueTimes · 04/02/2021 17:55

The test is mandatory but I don’t see why you can’t stay in. Tell your landlord you have nowhere to go and if needs be, they will have to work around you and be there for much longer.

DaveMinion · 04/02/2021 18:02

Had mine done the other day. It took about 15 mins.

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