When a property is going back onto the rental market, the electrical installation needs proper attention.
We recently carried out inspection, testing and a consumer unit upgrade at a property near Eggar Field in Bentley. The property had been rented to the previous tenant for a number of years, and the customer wanted the installation checked before it was rented out again.
The existing fuse board was a rewireable type with no RCD protection.
That did not mean we could recommend a replacement without looking at the rest of the installation. A consumer unit is only one part of the electrical system. The circuits connected to it still need to be inspected and tested before any upgrade is planned.
We completed an EICR first, then advised on the work needed to bring the installation into a better condition for the next tenancy.
Why did the customer arrange inspection and testing?
The customer arranged inspection and testing because the property was due to be rented again.
Where a property has been occupied for several years, the landlord may not have a clear picture of how the installation has performed, whether any faults have developed, or whether any alterations have been made during the tenancy.
An EICR helps identify the condition of the electrical installation at the time of inspection.
At this Bentley property, the customer wanted the property inspected, tested and improved before the next tenant moved in. That included looking at the existing fuse board, testing the circuits and dealing with any faults found during the inspection.
What did we find at the consumer unit?
We found a rewireable fuse board with no RCD protection.
Rewireable fuse boards were common in older installations. Many have worked for years without obvious problems, but they do not provide the same type of protection or convenience as a modern consumer unit fitted with RCBOs and surge protection.
The lack of RCD protection was an important consideration, especially with the property being prepared for rental use.
The condition of the connected circuits still mattered. Fitting a new consumer unit without inspecting the installation first can uncover problems halfway through the job. That is why the EICR came before the upgrade.
Why complete an EICR before changing the fuse board?
An EICR gives a clearer picture of the installation before the consumer unit is changed.
During the inspection and test, we looked at the existing circuits and checked the condition of the installation. The testing included a visual inspection and testing that is carried out using equipment designed to help us understand any hidden faults.
That information helped us plan the upgrade properly.
A modern consumer unit fitted with RCBOs can highlight existing faults that may not have been obvious with the older arrangement. Finding those issues before or during the EICR allows the customer to understand what needs attention.
At this Bentley property, the inspection identified a fault with some two-way switching.
That fault needed repairing as part of the remedial work.
What was the issue with the two-way switching?
The EICR identified a fault with the two-way switching.
Two-way switching is often used on stairs, landings and hallways, where one light can be operated from more than one switch position. When a fault develops, the light may behave incorrectly, fail to switch as expected, or indicate a wiring issue that needs investigation.
At this property, the fault was linked to the landing lighting.
We repaired the two-way switching fault and changed the landing light as requested.
Small faults like this matter during rental preparation. A tenant should be able to use the lighting normally, and the landlord needs confidence that identified issues have been dealt with properly.
What did we recommend?
We recommended upgrading the old rewireable fuse board to a metal-clad consumer unit with surge protection and individual RCBOs for each circuit.
We also recommended replacing the meter tails as part of the work.
This gave the property a more modern protective arrangement and made each circuit easier to manage. With individual RCBO protection, a fault on one circuit is less likely to remove power from unrelated circuits elsewhere in the property.
Surge protection was included as part of the new consumer unit specification. This helps reduce the risk of damage from transient overvoltages affecting electrical and electronic equipment within the property.
The recommendation was based on the EICR findings, the existing fuse board, the lack of RCD protection and the property being prepared for rental use.
What work did Wessex Electrical Services complete?
We changed the old fuse board for a new metal-clad consumer unit.
The new consumer unit included surge protection and RCBOs for each circuit. We also dealt with the meter tails as part of the upgrade.
Alongside the consumer unit replacement, we completed the remedial work identified during the inspection. This included repairing the two-way switching fault and changing the landing light as requested.
That meant the job was not only a board change. It was a planned piece of rental-property electrical work, starting with inspection and testing, followed by an upgrade, remedial repairs and final certification.
Why does final testing matter after a consumer unit upgrade?
Final testing matters because the work needs to be checked before the installation is handed over.
After the fuse board upgrade, we inspected and tested the installation again. We then issued the Electrical Installation Certificate and building control certificate.
That paperwork is important.
It gives the customer a record of the work completed and confirms that the new consumer unit installation has been inspected and tested.
For a rental property, clear paperwork also helps the landlord keep proper records for the property.
What was the final result?
The final result was that the customer could rent the property out again.
The old rewireable fuse board had been replaced with a metal-clad consumer unit with surge protection and RCBOs. The two-way switching fault had been repaired, the landing light had been changed, and the installation had been inspected, tested and certified after the upgrade.
The customer had a clearer picture of the electrical installation and the completed certification needed following the consumer unit work.
Why rental properties need a careful approach
Rental properties need a careful approach because electrical issues affect both the landlord and the tenant.
A landlord may know the property well, but if it has been rented for several years, small faults or changes can go unnoticed. A tenant may have lived with an issue without reporting it, or previous alterations may not be obvious until testing is carried out.
That is why inspection and testing should come before assumptions.
At the Bentley property, the EICR allowed us to identify the old fuse board, lack of RCD protection and the two-way switching fault before completing the upgrade and remedial work.
This gave the customer a planned route from inspection to completion.
Consumer unit upgrades in Bentley
Wessex Electrical Services carries out consumer unit upgrades, fuse board replacements, EICRs and electrical remedial work in Bentley, Alton and the surrounding Hampshire area.
We help homeowners, landlords and property owners understand the condition of their electrical installation before recommending the next step.
If a property has an older fuse board, repeated electrical issues, no RCD protection or is being prepared for rental, we can inspect and test the installation, explain what we find and carry out the necessary work.
Speak to Wessex Electrical Services
If you are preparing a rental property in Bentley or the surrounding area, Wessex Electrical Services can help with inspection, testing, consumer unit upgrades and remedial electrical work.
We can complete an EICR, assess the existing fuse board, repair identified faults and issue the appropriate certification after completed installation work.
For consumer unit upgrades in Bentley, call Wessex Electrical Services Ltd on 01420 384247.
FAQs: Consumer Unit Upgrade Bentley
Does an old rewireable fuse board need replacing?
An old rewireable fuse board should be assessed as part of the wider installation. Age alone is not the only factor, but lack of RCD protection, condition, planned use and EICR findings may support replacement.
Why complete an EICR before changing a consumer unit?
An EICR helps identify the condition of the existing installation before the new consumer unit is fitted. It can reveal faults that need repair before or during the upgrade.
What is the benefit of RCBOs?
RCBOs provide individual protection for each circuit. This can reduce disruption because a fault on one circuit is less likely to affect unrelated circuits.
Why include surge protection?
Surge protection helps reduce the risk of damage from transient overvoltage's affecting electrical and electronic equipment in the property.
Do you issue certification after a consumer unit upgrade?
Yes. After the consumer unit upgrade, the installation is inspected and tested, and the appropriate electrical certification is issued.
Do you carry out consumer unit upgrades in Bentley?
Yes. Wessex Electrical Services carries out consumer unit upgrades, EICRs and remedial electrical work in Bentley and the surrounding Hampshire area.
