Day: 11 June 2020

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Enjoy another weekly dose of positive news in Crediton!

Fluffy retriever

It’s Friday AGAIN! Where is the time going? Here’s our regular two-minute dose of good news to lift your mood this Feelgood Friday!

Canine companions

A yellow Labrador called K9 Raider is in the running to be named America’s top dog. K9 Raider is a Courtroom Therapy Dog who sits with young victims of serious crime when they give evidence. He provides a calming presence during what can be a traumatic experience. Another frontrunner in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards 2020 is Dolly Pawton, a Labrador who can detect when her owner’s blood pressure or heart rate drop and raise the alarm. Then there’s MacKenzie, a Chihuahua born with a cleft palate who now spends her time cuddling up to young, abandoned animals at a New York shelter.

Cycling surge

The number of Brits cycling has skyrocketed. New official figures reveal a 100% increase in people cycling on weekdays and a whopping 200% rise on weekends during lockdown. The trend has been welcomed by environmentalists, fitness campaigners and bike shops – where sales have gone through the roof. Such is the demand that bike stocks are running low, prompting some to say, “bikes are the new toilet paper”. Not one of our favourite expressions, but we know what they mean.

Toy story

You could be forgiven for thinking the nation’s little people have spent the whole of lockdown glued to screens. But new market analysis from a data collection company called NPD shows strong demand in recent months for old fashioned toys. Demand for puzzles and jigsaws rose by 43%. Meanwhile, outdoor toys, like sandpits and waterslides, were a hit in May when the glorious sunny weather arrived, prompting a 31% spike in sales. Building sets like Lego increased by 17%. (Figures cover January 1 to May 23 this year, compared to the same period in 2019).

Ingenious invention

Two resourceful brothers have invented a mobile handwashing unit to help stop the spread of Covid-19 in Ghana. Richard Kwarteng Aning and his brother Jude Osei built the Solar Wash from an old barrel and items bought at their local market. The nifty solar-powered basin has a sensor-triggered soap dispenser (so no need to touch anything) and an alarm to ensure you wash your hands for 25 seconds before rinsing. Solar Wash units will be rolled out to communities in Ghanaian cities so people with limited access to freshwater can keep their hands clean.

We want our community in Crediton and villages across mid Devon to know we are here to help you as life slowly gets back to normal.

We wish you all a safe, happy, and enjoyable weekend!

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What landlords need to know about new electrical inspection laws

new electrical inspection laws

As if landlords don’t have enough to contend with, new rules on Electrical Inspection Condition Reports (EICR) kick in next month.

Final guidance from the government on this legislation is expected any day now, but here’s an overview.

  • Every fixed electrical installation in a private rental property must be inspected and comply with the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations.
  • This kicks in on July 1, 2020, for new tenancies and April 1, 2021, for existing tenancies.
  • Inspections must be carried out every five years by a “qualified person” (more on that in a minute).
  • If a problem is identified in the EICR, work to remedy it must be done within 28 days (or less if it’s urgent). Landlords need written confirmation that the work has been completed.
  • A copy of the electrical safety report must be supplied to a tenant before they move into the property. If an inspection is carried out during a tenancy, the report should be provided to the tenant within 28 days of its completion.

What does “qualified mean?” we hear you say

This will be clarified in the guidance. But it’s safe to assume that it doesn’t mean a mate’s brother’s ex-flatmate who likes watching DIY SOS. Industry insiders interpret it to mean an electrician with Electrotechnical Assessment Specifications qualifications. So, a professional with an industry recognised apprenticeship or Level 3 Certificates in Installing, Testing and Ensuring Compliance of Electrical Installations in Dwellings.

What if a landlord fails to comply?

It’s going to hurt. Breach the new rules and face a fine of up to £30,000.

This all sounds complicated

Responsible landlords who keep their properties in good condition probably won’t get any nasty surprises. The rogue ones might be in for a shock though.

If it’s too good to be true…

It probably is. If someone offers to inspect for next to nothing, ask yourself: ‘what’s in it for them?’ We have heard of some electricians planning to use the EICR process as a loss leader. What they lose in carrying out the inspection, they plan to make up by diagnosing and carrying out expensive repair works.

Now most electricians are good people and wouldn’t do this. But be aware that the cheapest price doesn’t always represent the best value.

Are they registered?

We recommend going with an electrician registered with a governing body such as the NICEIC. Other organisations to look out for include NAPIT, STROMA and the ECA.

Word of mouth

Ideally, you’re looking for an electrician who is registered with one of the above organisations and has a glowing reputation in your local area. So, seek out word of mouth recommendations.

A good letting agent will have built up business relationships with reliable tradespeople including electricians, so ask them for advice.

Don’t dither

If you already have an existing tenancy agreement, April 1, might seem like a long way off. But as this deadline looms, electricians will be in hot demand, especially good ones.

Also remember that if you need to get remedial works done, this will take time. Give yourself a little bit of breathing space to ensure any last-minute panic and avoid looking like an April Fool next year.

At Helmores we’ll be reviewing all the government guidance on the new safety regs as it comes in and can advise landlords through the new EICR process. If you’d like to know more, get in touch, we’re here to help.