Landlord electrical safety certificate

That is a little more complex Simon. If I engage an "electrician", I can reasonably expect a degree of competence, and if he then gives me a professional report it is his duty and risk that it is compliant. This is why most professions and some trades are regulated by external bodies, the FCA for financial advisors, the SRA for solicitors, Gas Safe for gas men etc. It is unfortunate that the electrical clubs do not have a regulatory body, and worse that they clearly do not wish to set a suitable standard themselves. Passing the 18th edition exam is nothing like sufficient competence for inspection, as is endlessly proved by comments on here, and by EICR reports which are basically rubbish. There is no simple redress against incompetent electricians, and there are a great many of them about. Various attempts have been made by various groups to make the 3rd level exams (2391, 2395, 2396) easier because the previous pass rate was quite low, less than 50%. Apparently this dissuades students from taking the exam, but means that many of those who took it are sadly lacking in knowledge and experience. It also means that the more modern versions of these qualifications are worthless, because they no longer prove very much, a multiple-choice exam with a pretty low pass mark is not sufficient to assess competence and knowledge. It is true that many found the older exam (2391) very hard, because it needed full calculations and essay answers, but that is what is required to Inspect an installation. Why not prove it in the exam? Inspection needs understanding and judgment, would you like a Doctor who had only learned a first-aid book? I think not.

It looks like there may be a few electricians who need to do something else, Lyle. Or perhaps mandatory retraining might be on the cards (Like Gas Safe)?

I think that the reality of the situation is that given the Government's advice which JP cited, local authorities will take action on C1, C2, and FI only. That's what matters.

Again, thank you everyone who has had an input. It does make me wonder whether "the Regulations" are actually fit for purpose if you can ask a, supposedly, simple question like is a plastic CU allowable in a rental property and it generates 75 responses and none of them are definitive! If the collective brainpower and experience on this forum can't give an answer then what hope for Joe Average Sparky?

Ultimately we cannot tell you without taking the cover off, if there is signs of overheating in a plastic consumer unit immediate replacement may be required.


Andy B.

Baaah Andy, that wasn't the question as well you know.

I hope you've been on the turps and come to regret such an up-your-*** and generally unhelpful response. Shame on you.

The guidance from NAPIT would be code 3, but forum members don’t like NAPIT Codebreakers and will tell you to make your own mind up.


If it’s a plastic enclosure and the consumer unit is in a non-combustible cupboard then there isn’t an issue.


It’s gone full circle and goes back to my first post, where is it located?


Empty the rubbish out of the cupboard under the stairs and ensure the cupboard meets the description of being non-combustible then, assuming it’s not showing any signs of over heating it complies with the regs and there’s nothing to code.


It it’s showing signs of overheating and in a cupboard being used to store your bottle of turps, then there’s definitely a issue.


Andy B.