Electrical certificate – replacing all the sockets?

Reply to the comment left by Jo Cark at 20/04/2023 - 23:59
If I have a tenanted property with a faulty socket-- that would cause a fail.on an EICR. If I fix that socket myself and there is an electric issue-(even if it's not at that socket) the insurance won't pay out, the EIRC won't be valid as I have tampered with the electrics, and I would be investigated for leaving the place unsafe. If I have an electrician to fix it and all I have a receipt- with no minor works certificate I have no proof that the repair is safe. And as I have recently tried to buy a house where the landlord did some works, which were flagged by a surveyor - the landlord produced an invoice for the works- then arranged an EICR for the works so the sale could proceed, the EICR was produced by an unregistered electrician so not worth the paper it was written on, the mortgage company wouldn't even loan on the property due to the electrical work that was not adequate reported. You might say the minor works certificate is not needed on a self repair- but to cover the landlord for unexpected issues/allegations and for a smooth sale the paperwork is needed and my electrician is happy to produce the certification

I have never heard of notifying the council for minor electrical work and certainly haven't done so I had a few minors picked up on an EICR (cracked plug socket; loose socket, light switch in utility area upside down) I'd lived with them for several years but failed in EICR and all rectified for renting. Am I supposed to notify the council about this?

Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 21/04/2023 - 08:51
The new EICR showing that the repairs have been made will be sufficient.

Thanks Chris although as I'd got the electrician there I did make use and added a few more plug sockets in areas I felt needed it plus adding tv points in all bedrooms. I'm concerned about this notifying the council suggestion as I've never heard of that being a requirement plus if that is the case surely qualified registered electricians should take some responsibility in at least bringing this to your attention.

You mentioned that you have aluminium cables. Be carefull that whatever accessories you get changed are suitable for use with aluminim cables. Most standard sockets etc have brass terminals and as aluminium react to zinc you could have serious problems down the line.
Infact your inspecting electrician should have checked your existing terminals were suitable for the aluminium cables that were found. Consequently if they are ok no need to change.

Thought I would clear some of the comments up.
1, As landlord most know you need a regular EIRC, you only need to fix C1 and C2 on your report, C3 are optional. They just mean that you electrics don't aren't upto date standards but did when your last electrics was done.Aslo I could just mean that the inspector noticed that some things are getting old. Like anything they break with age and you are being warned.

Cont'd
2,All electrics carried out must have paper work. Regardless if comes under 'part p' or not.
Part p comes under building regulations and that's why councils are informed. This also applies to your own home.
It's not your job to notify council when comes to part p. That is the responsibility of your electrical contractor. It's your job is to make sure that your contractor gives you the correct paper work and he or she is a member of a 'part p' scheme. If work done comes under part p. Everyone knows about corgi when it comes to gas, its nothing different.

Cont'd
3, having work done without any paper work invalidates your EIRC.if your EIRC is invalid. It gives you insurance company grounds to dismiss any claims if the electrics was a fault. If you get checked by your local council and if your electrics don't match your paper work good luck.
4, Note regardless if its landlord property or a home. They come under the same Electrical regulations. But its landlords that have to prove that there property is regularly checked.

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 20/04/2023 - 18:16
USB type sockets won't be on your EIRC, so it makes it invalid as you have no paperwork to rely on your electrical set up does match your EIRC. Thus makes you liable if any thing happens.
Minor works cert is the basic electrical cert. Any work you have done that remotely changes up electrical step up or it is clearly obvious you have work done. Makes your EIRC invalid if you don't have one.
Part p has nothing to do with it. This is extra and above a minor works cert.

Reply to the comment left by Alan Walton at 22/04/2023 - 07:48
The USB type sockets I mentioned were changed in my own home not in a rented property. I don't need an EIRC for my own home only for properties I rent out. I can do things like add a spur to an existing socket on an existing 32 amp ring main myself. I don't have to use an electrician.
With a rented property I would always use an electrician, even though I could do such work myself. The tenant would not know I have a high level of competence and so for the tenants peace of mind even for a simple job would use an electrician. We never provide moveable electric appliances for our rented properties. We provide major white goods but things like kettles, toasters and microwaves we let tenants supply their own. Otherwise we would have to pay to have them tested on a regular basis.