EICRs From Hell?

EICRs From Hell?

11:34 AM, 20th May 2021, About 3 years ago 30

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I have a rented property with no problems from the electrics over a 10-year period. I had an EICR carried out in December 2011 that was satisfactory. A week ago the electrician EICR checked the house and found some minor problems with the earths plus the need for a new consumer unit and left.

Within 20 minutes my tenant had no ring main. The electrician returned checked the main and left. 10 minutes later the ring main failed.

On the third trip, the electrician identified a neutral open circuit and jury-rigged some extension leads. He quoted £1750 to trace and fix the problem.

In another rented home, I had no problem for 10 years and had a 10-year-old EICR. I again had a recent EICR and a new consumer unit was fitted. I had 4 call-outs due to tripping circuit breakers and was near to buying a new cooker at £650 when the fault went away.

I have one further property that needs an EICR no problems with the electrics at the moment. By next week I would have spent around £3000 on electrics that previously had no problems.

Is this a common landlord problem?

Mike


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Comments

Seething Landlord

12:05 PM, 20th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Sounds like it might be a problem with the electrician, was it the same one in each case?

Paul Shears

21:03 PM, 20th May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 20/05/2021 - 12:05
Agreed.
The only way to deal with a problem like this is to master the matter yourself and that takes time.
It takes little intelligence.
The fact that others "think" otherwise is just conditioning.
You are running blind and just asking for trouble.
Just finding another electrician would be an obvious starting point but you will probably find yourself going round and round in circles with different reports from different process followers.
What you are up against here is not an electrical problem at all.
Rather it is a systemic problem in every sphere of society.
No individual, other than a stupid one, is held responsible for their actions either at all, or without great pain being experienced by the victims (Virtually everyone) of this systemic dysfunctionality.
Old boys clubs just replace one problem with another one. Replacing human judgement with process endlessly.
It never stops and is inherent in the way of life that is accepted by almost all.

Ian Narbeth

10:12 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul Shears at 20/05/2021 - 21:03Sorry Paul but trying to "master" every activity yourself is a fool's errand. The Division of Labour leads to prosperity as people specialise and employ specialists in other fields to do things more effectively than they can do them.
It sounds like Mike's electrician is rather flakey. I would recommend he finds another. Good places to go for a recommendation are a lettings agency and a proper electrical supply shop.

Paul Shears

10:31 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

That's just a social construct that will be the end of all of us.
If you live by blind faith and process society will only go one way.
And it continues to do so at an accelerating rate.
The last places to go are to go for a recommendation are a lettings agency and a proper electrical supply shops.
So we are done here.

Sanjeev Markanday

10:36 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

RCDS on Latest consumer units are very sensitive and will trip. Especially true where electrics and water are concerned, so kitchen and bathrooms tend to be a problem area. Just look at the trips as a safety measure.

Ian Narbeth

10:48 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul Shears at 21/05/2021 - 10:31
Paul, advising the OP to train as an electrician is not very helpful. Going off at a quasi-philosophical tangent won't help Mike fix his electrics. There is nothing wrong with following processes.

The Property Man

10:50 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

Hi Mike,

Let’s keep this plain and simple for you, we own a large portfolio and we haven’t had any problems like this as most have past just paying the fee for the certificate, and we own all different types of houses and different ages.

Don’t get me wrong some have required a little work but not at the expense you are paying and it sounds like your electricians prices are way to high.

I would 100% ditch the electrician and look for a new one who will be fair with his prices and honest with you.

There are a lot of electricians putting up prices at the minute due to demand so just shop around a little and you will find a good electrician out there who is honest and fair with you.

These electricians who are charging way to high at the minute will run out of work one day as it’s the fair electricians who will have Repeat work from clients.

reader

10:55 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

Hi

Your original EICR should have the electricians details on, call him. The new trips are very sensitive but better than frying the tenants.

Obtain several quotes for repair work.

Graham Bowcock

11:01 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by The Property Man at 21/05/2021 - 10:50
Quite right Property Man. My electrics have always been up to date, so we've not had the rush that many people seem to have had. It's staggering to think how many installations were in poor condition previously.

We use a private firm, but they have grown quite large (150 or so staff) and have no issues with the certificates trhey provide or pricing for works.

I have less than a passing interest in the detail; my time is best spent on other things. I rely on experts to give me the advice, but have enough knowledge to know what questions to ask.

I think the OP just needs to get another electrician.

terry sullivan

11:22 AM, 21st May 2021, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Ian Narbeth at 21/05/2021 - 10:12
true--but some knowledge prevents some rip offs

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