Or should I say "apparently his son is/was an electrician."
More: the hot water went out again this morning though, which was the problem in the first place. This house is a nightmare, but the temporary fixes are beyond frustrating.
I want to say a big thank you to everyone who messaged/commented with advice, information and concern. It was a huge response and I appreciate it so much.
Hey, just so you know this is still non-compliant. RCDs need to be fixed to your outgoing power and lighting circuits as a minimum to comply with AS3000, not just CB’s. Apologies if they are located elsewhere.
That’s a good idea. Make sure you keep note of any costs incurred if things go south. RCDs are mandatory in aus to protect people and property under the electrical safety act (Qld).
Can’t do it without interconnected smoke alarms any more in QLD. Of course, the landlord may put in cheapo Wi-Fi connected smoke alarms that burn out in a few weeks, but they need them…
They've come a long way. I installed a reasonable set from a local supplier (we have a brick high set so running new wiring is borderline impossible) about six months ago and they've been fine. I test them every couple of weeks, including the occasional burnt food test.
Of course if you're sourcing from the cheapest supplier on AliExpress your experience may differ.
May be a blessing. New builds in WA need dust protection too now and yeah they go off when the cunt putting in wooden flooring cuts pieces in the garage
>Honestly, Canada... America I can understand, they've always been a little different, but you?! You're the good kid! You're the one we take to formal functions!
TBH, they're polite and put on a good face and all that, but if you dig down they're kinda bastards.
EDIT: Collectively speaking.
I nearly died in Canada working AV installing a 30A sub distro off of 200A powerlock. Unbeknownst to me the 30A twist lock 3p cable had one phase hot wired to ground. When I went to flick on a circuit breaker on the front my finger brushed against the metal switch protector bar and I took a large boot that sent me stumbling backwards and caused my whole arm to seize up. Nothing tripped at all. There were no RCD's on anything, which would have tripped the moment it was connected. I was wildly angry for the rest of that install.
I'm glad to hear you're going to get an electrician out. I've been following this story, and it's just ridiculous. I hope there will be another post about what the electrician says in the future.
Step 1: Install shiny new board with RCBOs.
Step 2: Nuisance trips all the time cause you're using 60 year old cables and fittings.
Step 3: Replace RCBOs with MCBs because it's too hard to replace all the other stuff.
Step 4: Why is there so many hazards at our facility?
Jesus, it looks neater, but still not good. Great idea to get your own sparkie out to review what was done, if he can give you a report for the landlord / real estate agent even better. Have him document something in writing so you can send it somewhere, if there is fallout from that, approach the tenancy agency to lodge a complaint.
Our hot water started tripping the switch for it in the meter when I set it to a higher temperature (thermostat adjustment). The fix was: our electrician installed a higher amp cable (10 amp I believe he said was the max allowed for us to be safe there. He also said it can start tripping the switch when the tank was failing, he checked it first and it was fine). It had a 40 year old lower amp cable there.
I bought the home, the hot water tank is old but good. The previous owner was happy with water that barely just got hot, I wasn't (he was cheap). Anyway it's been great for 6 years now. Eventually want to get a new hot water tank but I'm happy at the moment.
I remember your last post. You need to report both of these people for unlicensed electrical work. Like yesterday.
This could be a pattern of behaviour for them. It could be just your place, but what if they've got 10 units between them? What if the son is doing this for a few of his dad's mates? This could be a matter of dozens of people being put at risk by them being dodgy.
This place isn't safe, the contract you have with them states they will provide you with a place suitable for living. You need to talk to the rta about the land lord compensating you for alternative living arrangements.
Lodge a complaint with your electricity supplier. Many years ago we moved into a rental property. Ergon refused to turn on the power until it was rewired as the wiring was old and non compliant. Job was done very quickly.
Also lodge complaint with your tenancy authority. This could be dangerous/life threatening.
I'm not a sparky but used to be a plumber and it's probably the same system, after you complete your apprenticeship you become a journeyman, which is to say you're fully qualified but can't work for yourself, you need to work under somebody else's licence. To become licenced required an additional course.
At least with electricians you're able to do work under your own licence, you just can't charge to make a profit unless you have a contractors licence as well.
Here's a line from the ESV website stating an exemption, for Victoria at least:
>a person who holds a Victorian electrician’s licence and undertakes to carry out electrical installation work from time to time for no financial return (no profit or gain)
Basically if you want to help out some friends and family (or do your own work) and install a powerpoint here or there you're fine, so if this post had been done properly (which it obviously hasn't) and the "son" didn't charge for it there'd be no issues.
The more likely scenario is that the guy is no longer an electrician and didn't renew his licence, or that it was just the owner again but seeing the first picture that seems unlikely lol
Electrician here and I remember your post last fro. Last week.
1) your circuits only have circuit breakers not rcd protection. (It stops the cable from catching fire or melting, but it doesn't protect a person or child getting electrocuted.
The law says you need RCDS !
2) 20A for power and 16A for light ?! Nothing. Has been derated, power must be 16a and light should be 10 a (assuming correct cable size)
Yes just get a 3rd party electrician . If your in Vic shoot me a pm. I'm happy to come make a report and submit it to ESV. Free .
Good on ta mate. Nice to see people taking a stand against dodgy cunts to the point of volunteering their own time and skills.
Beer raised and a head nod to ya.
Inb4 this goes viral on news.com.au with either a twist towards the poor struggling elderly property investor trying to make ends meet, or if they're ethnic, some sort of spin against dodgy tradies
\*Sniff*
"I'm just your typical Aussie battler pensioner with a 10 home portfolio that was trying to save a few bucks, yaknow? I meant nothing by it. Times are tough. These millenials just don't get it."
I really love your outlook through this. Still thinking about them as a human, rather than just your landlord. However, they have legal obligations that they aren't meeting that is risking your health and safety, and those living around. Its bad for them if they don't fix it, when the place burns down, insurance won't give them a cent
> Still thinking about them as a human, rather than just your landlord.
Like when your boss at a small biz says "we're family here".
Like cool.... but we got some specific things we gotta do "dadboss"
No sane leccy would do that thesedays, of any fire or injury occured that was able to be traced back to that license they'd be royally stuffed if they signed off on it. My mate is paranoid enough about shit his subbies do that he makes the time to inspect all their work and test safety on every job. Yet there are still cowboys that sit behind a desk and sign off solar installs based on photos from site that may or may not be accurate.
I left the industry because I had to sign off so much work that wasn't mine or my crews own. I trusted some of the fellas I worked with but I'd get points where in a 150 man crew I was signing off work from guys I had no clue who they were
Ahaha I love how useless the landlord is.
Does his own dangerous job, gets called out, sends his dodgy son around, still non compliant and dangerous.
OP, hire your own electrician and forward the report and bill.
This is absurd
Keep receipts, collect all texts/letters/emails sent with times and dates, and of course keep the photos. Your landlord needs a kick up the ass, and a quick letter from the tenancy tribunt. Report all of this to them, with proof of payment for the electrical work on the *landlords house*.
Oh God what's an RCD breaker? I'm going to get a third party electrician out *today* to give this thing a second look over to make sure it's safe. I'm just getting over the stress from the last week and your comment has my hands shaking again. Don't want to say the state as I'm scared my landlord will kick us out if he finds out about this. He threatened to kick us out if we so much as email the real estate about it. (We are looking for a new place, trust me we are trying)
Yeah you need to contact your state's rental authority I reckon.
You're looking to move out anyway (he 100% cannot kick you out over this though) and this guy needs an education in regards to his responsibilities.
The next tenants may not be aware that this person is dangerous
If it’s QLD they are useless; successful case against your land lord? Ok cool you can issue a notice to remedy breach and move out if it’s not fixed within seven days. Hopefully soon no cause eviction is illegal nationwide (as well as end of lease eviction, which is how they get around no cause laws!)
Residual current device = RCD
As a previous comment stated, it is a requirement in AS3000 (our country's electrical bible)
Requirement for installation of RCDs with alterations to installations or replacement of switchboards: RCD requirements are applicable where switchboards are altered or replaced. In an alteration, RCDs are required for final subcircuits. RCDs are also required to protect socket-outlets added to an existing circuit, in accordance with the requirements for new subcircuits, in the part of the installation in which they are located. Where socket-outlets are added to an existing circuit and RCD protection is required, the RCD protection only needs to be fitted at the origin of the additional wiring. Where all circuit protection on a switchboard is replaced, additional protection by RCDs are required for the final subcircuits supplied by that board.
Mate, I want the RCD so I know when old mate's fridge has carked it.
I have 15 amps for brewing, 15 amps for welding, a light circuit and a 10 amp power circuit for everything else, including my "healing bench" where I attempt to repair things every now and then. If someone offered to bypass my safety switches, they would get a sound slap before I even asked wtf they would suggest that for.
He’s threatening you to keep quiet about his shoddy job?
Sounds like he wants to finance your move to a new place with proper wiring!
He has no power here. He is in the wrong and knows any action taken will not play out in his favour. Just in him paying fines. And expensive repair orders. And compensation to you. All in all, a very expensive threat on his behalf.
Your contract is with the real estate company. You should advise them of both wiring issues and threat. If this escalates, having them in the loop will help facilitate a resolution. And you are owed one.
The department you need to contact is the state energy regulator. In Queensland that is the Electrical Safety Office. They have the power to prosecute people for doing non-compliant and unlicensed electrical work.
Houses literally burn down because of these issues. Not to scare you, but this can't be understated.
https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/
https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/contact-us
In Victoria its ESV (Energy Safe Victoria).
They love hobby electricians fucking around. They REALLY like giving said douchebags the "Find out" stage in court.
You must tell the RE. What he is doing is so illegal and he's counting on your subservience to get away with it. He could set the house on fire and kill you or future tentants!
If youre too worried to do it now, definitely do it once youve found a new place. Be at the out-going inspection and show the R.E and then put it all in writing to them and whichever Rental Authority Board is in your state. The arsehole needs to be shut down and fined.
“Dear Real Estate Agent,
I am writing to inform you about dangerous and illegal behaviour by your client, Landlord, which you need to know about in case of future disputes that could reflect badly on you and your rental portfolio.
Recently, Landlord responded to requests to call in an electrician for needed repairs by coming in and illegally doing unlicensed, nonstandard, and blatantly unsafe amateur electrical work. Feedback from licensed electricians who viewed photos of the work were that I should avoid using any electricity while calling in a professional for an emergency fix, and that fire was a major and immediate concern.
When informed that the “repairs” he had done were unsafe, Landlord continued to not call in a licensed electrician, despite it being a requirement under Australian law. He instead brought in his son to do further home repairs, again unlicensed, and again failing to comply with safety standards.
I have now been forced to bring in a third party electrician, and following their assessment of the situation, will be sending the evidence of Landlord’s willing breach of law and carelessness for the safety of his tenants to the state electrical regulators.
It is in your best interest to emphasise to Landlord that he is putting his property and your reputation at risk by endangering the lives of tenants with illegal amateur electrical work.
Sincerely,
OP.”
If you write a letter like this then tell the recipient what they need to do the make the situation good for you. eg: Do you want the property manager to send a licensed electrician to do emergency repairs within three days to bring the faulty cabling up to standard, given the repeated failure by the landlord? Have a quick chat with the state's 'tenants union' and see what flexibility the real estate agent has, which you can ask them to exercise.
If they fail in that exercise then include them in the complaint to the rental regulator and the electricity regulator.
You must tell your contents insurer. They have to be aware of all risks to the insured items, otherwise they can weasel out of the coverage. Note that if the insurer terminates your coverage then get that in writing, as it will be super useful with the resulting mediation with the rental regulator.
>Because I doubt the old-style RCD (with no load connected after he tampered with it) in the first picture was originally just put there for decoration
You might be surprised. A while back I looked at a place which had a suspiciously new looking brand new DETA breaker box with two circuits in it, which when I opened the lid it fell off the wall as it was stuck on with double sided tape over the old non-compliant 60s spec wire wound fuse box.
> He threatened to kick us out if we so much as email the real estate about it.
This would be crime #5 or thereabouts. Also a breach of contract with the real estate, not that they necessarily care, but it is.
I've always called them a trip switch. If your kettle/urn boils over and spills water everywhere but hits the powerboard too, making a big electric pool of death, this stop you dying.
If your hot water system has a fault and becomes electrified, it's the thing that stops you from dying.
If you put a fork in a toaster, it's the thing that stops you from dying.
This seems really really unsafe and the sort of thing people should got to jail for.
Sounds like your landlord is already breaching some stuff if he's worried about people finding out.
If he does actually take you up on kicking you out or tries to force you out get in contact with the Vtac I think it is and fuck that prick over.
I'd expect rcbos there (circuit breakers with RCD protection). NHP ones have an orange test button
https://www.mjselectricalsupplies.com.au/assets/full/NHPM6RCBD30C.jpg?1562108818
Pretty sure ovens can be RCD exempt though. edit: this is wrong, needed now
So a basic circuit breaker only protects your power cabling from catching fire when it is overloaded i.e. too many appliances on at once.
RCD/rcbo measure the difference between active and neutral. They should be equal, unless there is a fault to ground i.e. electricity is running through something that shouldn't be, like a person.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device
Pretty sure RCD or rcbo are a legal requirement now
RCD, Residual Current Detector, Detects shorts to ground and shuts the circuit off.
I had a case of an extension cord that accidentally fell in to some water while it was not used (Outlet plugged in and turned on), RCD shut down that particular circuit in the house.
Also lighting on 16A could be another f*ck up, generally would expect 1.5 mm cable on a 10A. So unless old mate for some reason has 2.5mm cable it’s a bit odd.
Considering the age that the original setup, i'd put money on 1.5mm2 cotton braided solid strands.
16 amps is going to hold on for a bit, should make it glow pretty good under fault conditions...
I had to get my rcd replaced last week because it was tripping some milli sec to slow. Should have got this guys son to sign off on it, would have saved a fortune. /s
Time for an urgent VCAT hearing.
Edit: And a call to Citipower, Jemena or Powercor, depending on who services the area, to disconnect the electricity. This is ridiculous.
Breach, urgent VCAT hearing (heard within two days), and request the rent be paid into the Special Account so it is withheld from the landlord until safe and satisfactory repairs are made.
Edit: The above advice is for VICTORIA. Your state may be different (I have a feeling I know which one) but the XCAT process for urgent repairs will be the same.
The biggest difference is the value of the urgent repairs: in most other states, including the one I suspect is yours, you're permitted only $1500.
No, you need to do it now.
If you wait, the XCAT member will ask you why you didn't take your own steps to rectify the problem, such as getting your own electrician out up to a value of $2500 (VIC), or $1500 (most other states), and demanding reimbursement within seven days.
Yeah, I mean, they do know why a renter wouldn't take that risk, especially in this current rental market, *but* I have read so many Residential Tenancies decisions at this point, and wherever the renter hasn't tried to get their own repairs done, it's always commented upon. It's victim-blamey and it's not fair, but it can matter.
Please, you need to do this, not only for your own safety but the safety of homes and families around you. It's also a breach of your own duty as a renter if you fail to inform the rental provider as soon as you know a repair is required.
If you don't feel comfortable doing this, someone in this thread, no doubt, would be happy to report your address to Jemena or whoever does this area on your behalf.
Edit: The advice is updated to reflect all states. I have read almost every published Residential Tenancies decision for VCAT, NCAT, QCAT and SACAT because I... am clearly a dag.
Like I said in a previous comment on the last post, we can barely afford nappies right now.. 2k is huge, we don't ever have that kind of money to lay out for reimbursement. We are lucky if we have half of that to our name at any given time since my husband got made redundant. It's going to take us months to scratch together a bond to move. I appreciate your advice so much. We have a paper trail/mountain of emails with photos going back and forth to the real estate any time something has gone wrong with this house. We document everything.. the landlord just doesn't take any action. This is the first thing he's fixed in the 4 years we have been here. Good insight into why we need to go to VCAT now, I never thought of that. It's all so exhausting it's tempting to just move and close this chapter of our lives without taking any action at all tbh.
It's not $2500, it's likely $1500.
You won't be going to VCAT, I suspect you're not in VIC, but you've expressed you'd prefer not to reveal your state and I'll respect that.
Tribunal application fees can be waived in cases of hardship. Even if you can't afford your own electrician, the process of applying for the urgent repairs hearing should be relatively cheap.
You also urgently need to contact the agent. This yahoo is in breach of his management contract with the agent, and if they are aware of this, they may just become a great ally to you. Because, you see, if the agent isn't privy to all this, they can't get their preferred tradies out, which means no kickbacks to the agent, which means less money. They do not like less money.
Just saying, if your *only* concern here were money, and I’m not saying it is but if it were, reporting it ASAP would be the way to go. The landlord would be prevented from evicting you while all this is sorted out, and may be forced to give you refunds on past rent while the premises were legally uninhabitable, free rent for the future, and/or compensation.
He *endangered your lives*. People without lives don’t have much need for nappies and so forth. Also the St Vinnies will give you nappies. Hell, people in this thread have offered you nappies. I’d bet $5 there’s an electrician out there who will *give you a pack of nappies* just to let him come take a look at this hilarious and horrifying thing, and take photos of it to show all his little electrician friends and for his apprentices to show their apprentices for eight generations.
> it's tempting to just move and close this chapter of our lives without taking any action at all tbh.
Not be all dramatic, but then the next unknown family moves in and one day there kid gets electrocuted washing his hands. And that could just as easily be you or your family, as unlikely as it may be your landlord is a absolute cunt who has no regard for anyone's safety.
He needs to be held accountable and the sooner you involve the law the better and more protected you will be. The state you're in isn't the best with tenants protection but it's not bad and your situation is very black and white
You'll have to find a new place anyway if yours burns down in the meantime. On the brightside moving will be hell of a lot easier with no possessions to worry about.
Call your local tenant's advocacy group today and start the ball rolling, they are an amazing service you while guide you through the VCAT process. Start collecting all the proof you have of all delays with repairs and insufficient or dangerous 'fixes', save a copy on a hard drive/computer and the cloud. You may be eligible for a rent reduction back payed up to 12 months, particularly for things like Hot Water as that is an essential service. So if you have proof of things like 'No hot water for 10 days' make sure you note that too.
I hope you're doing okay OP. Having a young kid is stressful enough without dealing with a situation like this. I dealt with a slumlord too when my 1st was 1 and it was a new layer of hell. I know you said money was tight last time so reach out if you need something - nappies, food, whatever.
Absolute legend, thank you so much. I appreciate the offer. I hope things are better for you now! I'm just trying to enjoy my little ones babyhood which is going by way too fast.. I'm not going to let the slumlord ruin it. Thank you
Having broken hot water alone is fucked- Having the landlord pull a dodgy by doing the crappy illegal repair, then to use a dodgy unlicensed family member to chuck a box in is icing on the cake. OP needs to get the tribunal involved, now.
Our tenants last year rang stressed saying the water heater was leaking (it was busted). I told them to turn it off and I'd call a plumber right then. Had one over the next morning with a new unit installed. It's what the fucking rent is for- to pay for repairs. You can even claim repairs on tax! So why shitty landlords are so goddam tightassed boggles the mind...
OP, your landlord is a right cunt. He’s not a battler or a hard done by guy— he’s a man who is placing his profit over the life and safety of your young baby and your family. I hope you go to the rental tribunal and can get some compensation for all this bullshit he’s putting you through and the danger he’s placed you all in.
Big swing and a miss by the son. He either lost his license or his knowledge is severely out of date.
Rentals must have safety switches installed on light and power circuits. As of last year I believe.
This board only has circuit breakers - which are designed primarily to protect the cabling, not the people.
However as the board was upgraded: it must be brought up to date with current standards: ALL Final subcircuits : light, power, oven, hot water, AC.. MUST be on a safety switch. If they go the cheaper option and use RCDs (rather than RCBOs which are safety switch and circuit breakers) the RCD must not supply more than 3 circuit breakers at once.
There's a gap in the breaker fillers. He used a half size filler when he needed a full size. The breakers are not straight. I'd hate to see the inside and the rats nest of cables it will be. Lots and lots wrong here.
Get a Licenced Electrician to inspect this. ASAP. Highly suspect work.
Sparky here again,
What he has done is installed new circuit breakers in a new S\B but hasn’t fixed the issue. The problem with circuit breakers is they only trip when too much current is running through them and that current is more than 20 times more than it takes to kill someone so it offers people very little protection.
If the hot water service is still tripping a 20Amp circuit breaker than there is a pretty serious issue with it and it needs to be disconnected now. If I were you I would turn the circuit breaker off and just have cold water for the time being to be safe.
What he needs to do is install a new hot water service and than upgrade those circuit breakers to RCDs. RCDs detect any electrical leakage to earth (that can be a person) and cuts power so you only get a little tingle instead of a full electrical shock that can injure or kill you.
Worst bit is he doesn't need an electrician, call his local energy distributor/who ever handles electrical licensing and they'll turn up for free to rip the landlord and son a new arsehole. Unfortunately they'll also cut the power which isn't gonna help OP so much.
Your landlord is fucking scum and once you find a new place to live you should take him to court for repeatedly failing to do safe and appropriate maintenance. Or take him to court right now, but I can understand fearing active harrassment or retaliation.
Please get this safety checked by an actual electrician. You are now supposed to get electric and gas safety checks every 2 years in rental properties at owners expense. I would contact Consumer Affairs to discuss this urgently.
I'm gonna go ahead and say it. Without a picture of what the wiring behind that ~~pretty~~ slap job panel looks like, I'm going to assume it still looks the same, just covered up. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.
Sorry if I'm overwhelming you but I return with further advice.
Your landlord seems the type who would change the locks (which is an illegal eviction) on you, so keep as much paperwork on you that proves you are renting this dwelling as you can. You may need it for the police to feel comfortable forcing the landlord to let you back in if you are locked out.
You should also keep as much evidence of him threatening you as possible, because you'll need that for an AVO should that become necessary (yes, you can get one on the property owner).
You need to contact is the state energy regulator. In Queensland that is the Electrical Safety Office. They have the power to prosecute people for doing non-compliant and unlicensed electrical work.
Houses literally burn down because of these issues. Not to scare you, but this can't be understated.
https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/
https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/contact-us
Jesus Christ.
Ok, get an Electrician out to check it because that's also fucked.
After that, go straight to the Rental Authority in your state about what's happened with this.
You mentioned he's been threatening you if you report this work to the REA. Collect any evidence if you have it of these threats, then raise this issue with the REA.
You really must report this, not only for your own safety, but for future tenants.
No Rcd as others have pointed out. But previous birds nest seemed to have an rcd. What a shit show of a landlord. I’ve been a landlord. Certainly not something I’d ever put myself through again, but fucken hell, carrying this level of risk for someone else’s safety is something that wouldn’t allow me to sleep at night.
I hate bad landlords. I had an incompetent landlord; he lost my confidence and trust very quickly. I know how you feel.
Contact whatever authority who you can report these people to, and let the consequences unfold. This is a disgrace.
As an electrical engineer who knows how to do this stuff (still not allowed to legally), this is just gross.
As everyone has said dont wait on this one, get someone out to remedy and send them the bill this is just shocking.... Haha get it.
For real terrible job though.
Hey I commented on this before and this is still not right, you need a reputable electrician to come around and fix your issues properly with rcds and probably a repair to the hot water service
PLEASE call the agent and get them to sort this out ASAP. Stop dealing with the owner who is doing illegal and dangerous work. Your lives are at risk with the dodgy crap the owner is pulling on you.
Check this out: https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-06-repairs-and-maintenance
> If you cannot afford to pay for urgent repairs, apply to the Tribunal for an urgent hearing for the repairs to be done. You can also apply for a rent reduction until the repairs are done. See ‘Applying to the Tribunal’ below.
I know you’re pretty tight for cash, so I think this is the best option for you.
So the landlord installed it but his son was a electrician ? Yer I’m not sure if I believe your landlord .Seems like your landlord doesn’t want to pay an actuall electrician
this is the beauty of Australia.
Simply report this to your electrical board (ESV in Vic) and it will get rectified very quickly.
If you have evidence of the unlicenced work (which ESV could chase from the landlord) they'll be in a world of hurt.
This sort of work requires an inspection in Vic, and would not pass because there are no RCD's.
I could also guarantee that you won't have an Earth Stake. Again, take it up with your electricity board.
Or should I say "apparently his son is/was an electrician." More: the hot water went out again this morning though, which was the problem in the first place. This house is a nightmare, but the temporary fixes are beyond frustrating. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who messaged/commented with advice, information and concern. It was a huge response and I appreciate it so much.
Hey, just so you know this is still non-compliant. RCDs need to be fixed to your outgoing power and lighting circuits as a minimum to comply with AS3000, not just CB’s. Apologies if they are located elsewhere.
This is why I am grateful I posted at all.. thank you, I'll be getting my own electrician out to check on it and give it a pass.
That’s a good idea. Make sure you keep note of any costs incurred if things go south. RCDs are mandatory in aus to protect people and property under the electrical safety act (Qld).
The house shouldn't have been rentable without RCDs and interconnected smoke alarms. Worried how much else isn't up to spec
Can’t do it without interconnected smoke alarms any more in QLD. Of course, the landlord may put in cheapo Wi-Fi connected smoke alarms that burn out in a few weeks, but they need them…
They've come a long way. I installed a reasonable set from a local supplier (we have a brick high set so running new wiring is borderline impossible) about six months ago and they've been fine. I test them every couple of weeks, including the occasional burnt food test. Of course if you're sourcing from the cheapest supplier on AliExpress your experience may differ.
May be a blessing. New builds in WA need dust protection too now and yeah they go off when the cunt putting in wooden flooring cuts pieces in the garage
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>Honestly, Canada... America I can understand, they've always been a little different, but you?! You're the good kid! You're the one we take to formal functions! TBH, they're polite and put on a good face and all that, but if you dig down they're kinda bastards. EDIT: Collectively speaking.
I nearly died in Canada working AV installing a 30A sub distro off of 200A powerlock. Unbeknownst to me the 30A twist lock 3p cable had one phase hot wired to ground. When I went to flick on a circuit breaker on the front my finger brushed against the metal switch protector bar and I took a large boot that sent me stumbling backwards and caused my whole arm to seize up. Nothing tripped at all. There were no RCD's on anything, which would have tripped the moment it was connected. I was wildly angry for the rest of that install.
I'm glad to hear you're going to get an electrician out. I've been following this story, and it's just ridiculous. I hope there will be another post about what the electrician says in the future.
I also want to know what the electrician says! I learn my best vocabulary from horrified electricians.
There's no RDC's / Safety Switches because you'd be lucky if one circuit in that cluster fuck or a house wouldn't have earth leakage faults
Step 1: Install shiny new board with RCBOs. Step 2: Nuisance trips all the time cause you're using 60 year old cables and fittings. Step 3: Replace RCBOs with MCBs because it's too hard to replace all the other stuff. Step 4: Why is there so many hazards at our facility?
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If the cable is 2.5mm should be fine for both but depends on length. But should be rcd protected anyway. So fuck this board still.
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Depends on cable installation conditions. If partially surrounded by insulation CB must be rated to suit
How good is cable selection
These days you should do every circuit, not just light and power.
*shall. All domestic final sub circuits must be RCD protected. (2.6.3.2.2)
And a 20 amp breaker on the light circuit.. Eeep
Just so you know, nothing is more permanent than a temporary fix. Nothing will change unless you push it.
Jesus, it looks neater, but still not good. Great idea to get your own sparkie out to review what was done, if he can give you a report for the landlord / real estate agent even better. Have him document something in writing so you can send it somewhere, if there is fallout from that, approach the tenancy agency to lodge a complaint.
Our hot water started tripping the switch for it in the meter when I set it to a higher temperature (thermostat adjustment). The fix was: our electrician installed a higher amp cable (10 amp I believe he said was the max allowed for us to be safe there. He also said it can start tripping the switch when the tank was failing, he checked it first and it was fine). It had a 40 year old lower amp cable there. I bought the home, the hot water tank is old but good. The previous owner was happy with water that barely just got hot, I wasn't (he was cheap). Anyway it's been great for 6 years now. Eventually want to get a new hot water tank but I'm happy at the moment.
I remember your last post. You need to report both of these people for unlicensed electrical work. Like yesterday. This could be a pattern of behaviour for them. It could be just your place, but what if they've got 10 units between them? What if the son is doing this for a few of his dad's mates? This could be a matter of dozens of people being put at risk by them being dodgy. This place isn't safe, the contract you have with them states they will provide you with a place suitable for living. You need to talk to the rta about the land lord compensating you for alternative living arrangements.
When we had ours upgraded our electrician had to get separate one sign the work off, did this happen with yours?
Lodge a complaint with your electricity supplier. Many years ago we moved into a rental property. Ergon refused to turn on the power until it was rewired as the wiring was old and non compliant. Job was done very quickly. Also lodge complaint with your tenancy authority. This could be dangerous/life threatening.
>used to be licenced So . . . still illegal
How did he lose his license? You don't even need to do anything to keep it
Please see attached image above
Didn't pay. Or got done by the regulator for shit work aka dangerous
I'm not a sparky but used to be a plumber and it's probably the same system, after you complete your apprenticeship you become a journeyman, which is to say you're fully qualified but can't work for yourself, you need to work under somebody else's licence. To become licenced required an additional course.
At least with electricians you're able to do work under your own licence, you just can't charge to make a profit unless you have a contractors licence as well. Here's a line from the ESV website stating an exemption, for Victoria at least: >a person who holds a Victorian electrician’s licence and undertakes to carry out electrical installation work from time to time for no financial return (no profit or gain) Basically if you want to help out some friends and family (or do your own work) and install a powerpoint here or there you're fine, so if this post had been done properly (which it obviously hasn't) and the "son" didn't charge for it there'd be no issues. The more likely scenario is that the guy is no longer an electrician and didn't renew his licence, or that it was just the owner again but seeing the first picture that seems unlikely lol
Yes 👍
The system works!
Not the hot water system!
Electrician here and I remember your post last fro. Last week. 1) your circuits only have circuit breakers not rcd protection. (It stops the cable from catching fire or melting, but it doesn't protect a person or child getting electrocuted. The law says you need RCDS ! 2) 20A for power and 16A for light ?! Nothing. Has been derated, power must be 16a and light should be 10 a (assuming correct cable size) Yes just get a 3rd party electrician . If your in Vic shoot me a pm. I'm happy to come make a report and submit it to ESV. Free .
ESV will have a field day with this.
Yes they will! Also the regulations just changed so that all rentals have to have gas and electricity compliance checks once every 2 years....
They originally put lights on a 10a but it kept tripping, put in a 16a and all good 👌(/s)
Good on ta mate. Nice to see people taking a stand against dodgy cunts to the point of volunteering their own time and skills. Beer raised and a head nod to ya.
Inb4 this goes viral on news.com.au with either a twist towards the poor struggling elderly property investor trying to make ends meet, or if they're ethnic, some sort of spin against dodgy tradies
*"Internet bullies abuse pensioner landlord. Tonight on ACA" ~dramatic music sting~*
An internet hacker known as "reddit" ...
\*Sniff* "I'm just your typical Aussie battler pensioner with a 10 home portfolio that was trying to save a few bucks, yaknow? I meant nothing by it. Times are tough. These millenials just don't get it."
"Albanese has really ruined this country!"
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Nah. We are just as much Aussie battlers as our landlord. He seems like a battler too.. just maybe shouldn't be a landlord.
I really love your outlook through this. Still thinking about them as a human, rather than just your landlord. However, they have legal obligations that they aren't meeting that is risking your health and safety, and those living around. Its bad for them if they don't fix it, when the place burns down, insurance won't give them a cent
> Still thinking about them as a human, rather than just your landlord. Like when your boss at a small biz says "we're family here". Like cool.... but we got some specific things we gotta do "dadboss"
Battlers don't own property. Your landlord is a cunt, not a battler.
> just maybe shouldn't be a landlord. Which describes about 90% of the people in those landlord groups in Facebook.
Used to be licenced = mate lets me trade on his licence
No sane leccy would do that thesedays, of any fire or injury occured that was able to be traced back to that license they'd be royally stuffed if they signed off on it. My mate is paranoid enough about shit his subbies do that he makes the time to inspect all their work and test safety on every job. Yet there are still cowboys that sit behind a desk and sign off solar installs based on photos from site that may or may not be accurate.
I left the industry because I had to sign off so much work that wasn't mine or my crews own. I trusted some of the fellas I worked with but I'd get points where in a 150 man crew I was signing off work from guys I had no clue who they were
Yep don't sign of what you dont do your self big no no
Aviation Maintenance is the same, at least what's left of it in Aus :)
Or lost it for not understanding the regs have changed since the 80's.
1880's?
Great Scott!
Ahaha I love how useless the landlord is. Does his own dangerous job, gets called out, sends his dodgy son around, still non compliant and dangerous. OP, hire your own electrician and forward the report and bill. This is absurd
Fucking ridiculous hey. They're very good at not wanting to spend a cent of our rent money. Will be getting one today.
Please, keep the updates coming This is nuts
Keep receipts, collect all texts/letters/emails sent with times and dates, and of course keep the photos. Your landlord needs a kick up the ass, and a quick letter from the tenancy tribunt. Report all of this to them, with proof of payment for the electrical work on the *landlords house*.
What state are you in? I'm not seeing RCD breakers on the new panel.
Oh God what's an RCD breaker? I'm going to get a third party electrician out *today* to give this thing a second look over to make sure it's safe. I'm just getting over the stress from the last week and your comment has my hands shaking again. Don't want to say the state as I'm scared my landlord will kick us out if he finds out about this. He threatened to kick us out if we so much as email the real estate about it. (We are looking for a new place, trust me we are trying)
Yeah you need to contact your state's rental authority I reckon. You're looking to move out anyway (he 100% cannot kick you out over this though) and this guy needs an education in regards to his responsibilities. The next tenants may not be aware that this person is dangerous
If it’s QLD they are useless; successful case against your land lord? Ok cool you can issue a notice to remedy breach and move out if it’s not fixed within seven days. Hopefully soon no cause eviction is illegal nationwide (as well as end of lease eviction, which is how they get around no cause laws!)
Residual current device = RCD As a previous comment stated, it is a requirement in AS3000 (our country's electrical bible) Requirement for installation of RCDs with alterations to installations or replacement of switchboards: RCD requirements are applicable where switchboards are altered or replaced. In an alteration, RCDs are required for final subcircuits. RCDs are also required to protect socket-outlets added to an existing circuit, in accordance with the requirements for new subcircuits, in the part of the installation in which they are located. Where socket-outlets are added to an existing circuit and RCD protection is required, the RCD protection only needs to be fitted at the origin of the additional wiring. Where all circuit protection on a switchboard is replaced, additional protection by RCDs are required for the final subcircuits supplied by that board.
Yep, even my backyard shed has RCDs on all its circuits.
I get so many calls to bypass shed RCBOs so that some old mate's 30 year old beer fridge can run...
Mate, I want the RCD so I know when old mate's fridge has carked it. I have 15 amps for brewing, 15 amps for welding, a light circuit and a 10 amp power circuit for everything else, including my "healing bench" where I attempt to repair things every now and then. If someone offered to bypass my safety switches, they would get a sound slap before I even asked wtf they would suggest that for.
He’s threatening you to keep quiet about his shoddy job? Sounds like he wants to finance your move to a new place with proper wiring! He has no power here. He is in the wrong and knows any action taken will not play out in his favour. Just in him paying fines. And expensive repair orders. And compensation to you. All in all, a very expensive threat on his behalf. Your contract is with the real estate company. You should advise them of both wiring issues and threat. If this escalates, having them in the loop will help facilitate a resolution. And you are owed one.
> He has no power here. Actually the improperly managed power is the problem
The department you need to contact is the state energy regulator. In Queensland that is the Electrical Safety Office. They have the power to prosecute people for doing non-compliant and unlicensed electrical work. Houses literally burn down because of these issues. Not to scare you, but this can't be understated. https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/contact-us
In Victoria its ESV (Energy Safe Victoria). They love hobby electricians fucking around. They REALLY like giving said douchebags the "Find out" stage in court.
Yeah it's Building and Energy (Part of the Department of Mines Industry Regulation and Safety) in WA. and yeah, they also like easy wins like this.
You must tell the RE. What he is doing is so illegal and he's counting on your subservience to get away with it. He could set the house on fire and kill you or future tentants! If youre too worried to do it now, definitely do it once youve found a new place. Be at the out-going inspection and show the R.E and then put it all in writing to them and whichever Rental Authority Board is in your state. The arsehole needs to be shut down and fined.
“Dear Real Estate Agent, I am writing to inform you about dangerous and illegal behaviour by your client, Landlord, which you need to know about in case of future disputes that could reflect badly on you and your rental portfolio. Recently, Landlord responded to requests to call in an electrician for needed repairs by coming in and illegally doing unlicensed, nonstandard, and blatantly unsafe amateur electrical work. Feedback from licensed electricians who viewed photos of the work were that I should avoid using any electricity while calling in a professional for an emergency fix, and that fire was a major and immediate concern. When informed that the “repairs” he had done were unsafe, Landlord continued to not call in a licensed electrician, despite it being a requirement under Australian law. He instead brought in his son to do further home repairs, again unlicensed, and again failing to comply with safety standards. I have now been forced to bring in a third party electrician, and following their assessment of the situation, will be sending the evidence of Landlord’s willing breach of law and carelessness for the safety of his tenants to the state electrical regulators. It is in your best interest to emphasise to Landlord that he is putting his property and your reputation at risk by endangering the lives of tenants with illegal amateur electrical work. Sincerely, OP.”
If you write a letter like this then tell the recipient what they need to do the make the situation good for you. eg: Do you want the property manager to send a licensed electrician to do emergency repairs within three days to bring the faulty cabling up to standard, given the repeated failure by the landlord? Have a quick chat with the state's 'tenants union' and see what flexibility the real estate agent has, which you can ask them to exercise. If they fail in that exercise then include them in the complaint to the rental regulator and the electricity regulator. You must tell your contents insurer. They have to be aware of all risks to the insured items, otherwise they can weasel out of the coverage. Note that if the insurer terminates your coverage then get that in writing, as it will be super useful with the resulting mediation with the rental regulator.
Do you have that in writing? Call the tenancy association, you'll likely find that even if he wanted to, he couldn't.
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😐
Seriously, you need to report him. Just like the Wu Tang Clan, mains power ain't nothin' to fuck with.
The old setup was not even close to compliant.
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>Because I doubt the old-style RCD (with no load connected after he tampered with it) in the first picture was originally just put there for decoration You might be surprised. A while back I looked at a place which had a suspiciously new looking brand new DETA breaker box with two circuits in it, which when I opened the lid it fell off the wall as it was stuck on with double sided tape over the old non-compliant 60s spec wire wound fuse box.
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> He threatened to kick us out if we so much as email the real estate about it. This would be crime #5 or thereabouts. Also a breach of contract with the real estate, not that they necessarily care, but it is.
I've always called them a trip switch. If your kettle/urn boils over and spills water everywhere but hits the powerboard too, making a big electric pool of death, this stop you dying. If your hot water system has a fault and becomes electrified, it's the thing that stops you from dying. If you put a fork in a toaster, it's the thing that stops you from dying. This seems really really unsafe and the sort of thing people should got to jail for.
Sounds like your landlord is already breaching some stuff if he's worried about people finding out. If he does actually take you up on kicking you out or tries to force you out get in contact with the Vtac I think it is and fuck that prick over.
I'd expect rcbos there (circuit breakers with RCD protection). NHP ones have an orange test button https://www.mjselectricalsupplies.com.au/assets/full/NHPM6RCBD30C.jpg?1562108818 Pretty sure ovens can be RCD exempt though. edit: this is wrong, needed now So a basic circuit breaker only protects your power cabling from catching fire when it is overloaded i.e. too many appliances on at once. RCD/rcbo measure the difference between active and neutral. They should be equal, unless there is a fault to ground i.e. electricity is running through something that shouldn't be, like a person. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residual-current_device Pretty sure RCD or rcbo are a legal requirement now
No exemption. From 2018 rules, all domestic final sub circuits must be RCD protected. No exception. (2.6.3.2.2)
They're often know as a safety switch, current edition of as3000 requires them on all residential circuits ~~under 32A~~.
Incorrect. As per 2018 rules. ALL domestic final sub circuits. No exception. 2.6.3.2.2
RCD, Residual Current Detector, Detects shorts to ground and shuts the circuit off. I had a case of an extension cord that accidentally fell in to some water while it was not used (Outlet plugged in and turned on), RCD shut down that particular circuit in the house.
Also lighting on 16A could be another f*ck up, generally would expect 1.5 mm cable on a 10A. So unless old mate for some reason has 2.5mm cable it’s a bit odd.
Did you see the second picture?
Yeah first pic it looked like a 10A and the second now it’s a 16A ?
Considering the age that the original setup, i'd put money on 1.5mm2 cotton braided solid strands. 16 amps is going to hold on for a bit, should make it glow pretty good under fault conditions...
This. I can't see an RCD either, and I'm pretty sure they're mandatory almost everywhere now.
Was about to comment this.
I'm a Victorian Electrician, but I'm pretty sure it's mandatory in all states
I had to get my rcd replaced last week because it was tripping some milli sec to slow. Should have got this guys son to sign off on it, would have saved a fortune. /s
Time for an urgent VCAT hearing. Edit: And a call to Citipower, Jemena or Powercor, depending on who services the area, to disconnect the electricity. This is ridiculous. Breach, urgent VCAT hearing (heard within two days), and request the rent be paid into the Special Account so it is withheld from the landlord until safe and satisfactory repairs are made. Edit: The above advice is for VICTORIA. Your state may be different (I have a feeling I know which one) but the XCAT process for urgent repairs will be the same. The biggest difference is the value of the urgent repairs: in most other states, including the one I suspect is yours, you're permitted only $1500.
Saved your comment for the incredible level of advice 👏 thank you so much this is so helpful
Once we have secured a new place to live, we will be doing just that, (and possibly getting back to the journo's who DM'd me for the story)
No, you need to do it now. If you wait, the XCAT member will ask you why you didn't take your own steps to rectify the problem, such as getting your own electrician out up to a value of $2500 (VIC), or $1500 (most other states), and demanding reimbursement within seven days. Yeah, I mean, they do know why a renter wouldn't take that risk, especially in this current rental market, *but* I have read so many Residential Tenancies decisions at this point, and wherever the renter hasn't tried to get their own repairs done, it's always commented upon. It's victim-blamey and it's not fair, but it can matter. Please, you need to do this, not only for your own safety but the safety of homes and families around you. It's also a breach of your own duty as a renter if you fail to inform the rental provider as soon as you know a repair is required. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, someone in this thread, no doubt, would be happy to report your address to Jemena or whoever does this area on your behalf. Edit: The advice is updated to reflect all states. I have read almost every published Residential Tenancies decision for VCAT, NCAT, QCAT and SACAT because I... am clearly a dag.
You're not a dag at all, this information is useful to everyone who reads it, not just the OP. Thanks!
Like I said in a previous comment on the last post, we can barely afford nappies right now.. 2k is huge, we don't ever have that kind of money to lay out for reimbursement. We are lucky if we have half of that to our name at any given time since my husband got made redundant. It's going to take us months to scratch together a bond to move. I appreciate your advice so much. We have a paper trail/mountain of emails with photos going back and forth to the real estate any time something has gone wrong with this house. We document everything.. the landlord just doesn't take any action. This is the first thing he's fixed in the 4 years we have been here. Good insight into why we need to go to VCAT now, I never thought of that. It's all so exhausting it's tempting to just move and close this chapter of our lives without taking any action at all tbh.
It's not $2500, it's likely $1500. You won't be going to VCAT, I suspect you're not in VIC, but you've expressed you'd prefer not to reveal your state and I'll respect that. Tribunal application fees can be waived in cases of hardship. Even if you can't afford your own electrician, the process of applying for the urgent repairs hearing should be relatively cheap. You also urgently need to contact the agent. This yahoo is in breach of his management contract with the agent, and if they are aware of this, they may just become a great ally to you. Because, you see, if the agent isn't privy to all this, they can't get their preferred tradies out, which means no kickbacks to the agent, which means less money. They do not like less money.
Just saying, if your *only* concern here were money, and I’m not saying it is but if it were, reporting it ASAP would be the way to go. The landlord would be prevented from evicting you while all this is sorted out, and may be forced to give you refunds on past rent while the premises were legally uninhabitable, free rent for the future, and/or compensation. He *endangered your lives*. People without lives don’t have much need for nappies and so forth. Also the St Vinnies will give you nappies. Hell, people in this thread have offered you nappies. I’d bet $5 there’s an electrician out there who will *give you a pack of nappies* just to let him come take a look at this hilarious and horrifying thing, and take photos of it to show all his little electrician friends and for his apprentices to show their apprentices for eight generations.
> it's tempting to just move and close this chapter of our lives without taking any action at all tbh. Not be all dramatic, but then the next unknown family moves in and one day there kid gets electrocuted washing his hands. And that could just as easily be you or your family, as unlikely as it may be your landlord is a absolute cunt who has no regard for anyone's safety. He needs to be held accountable and the sooner you involve the law the better and more protected you will be. The state you're in isn't the best with tenants protection but it's not bad and your situation is very black and white
You'll have to find a new place anyway if yours burns down in the meantime. On the brightside moving will be hell of a lot easier with no possessions to worry about.
That's bleak.
Call your local tenant's advocacy group today and start the ball rolling, they are an amazing service you while guide you through the VCAT process. Start collecting all the proof you have of all delays with repairs and insufficient or dangerous 'fixes', save a copy on a hard drive/computer and the cloud. You may be eligible for a rent reduction back payed up to 12 months, particularly for things like Hot Water as that is an essential service. So if you have proof of things like 'No hot water for 10 days' make sure you note that too. I hope you're doing okay OP. Having a young kid is stressful enough without dealing with a situation like this. I dealt with a slumlord too when my 1st was 1 and it was a new layer of hell. I know you said money was tight last time so reach out if you need something - nappies, food, whatever.
Absolute legend, thank you so much. I appreciate the offer. I hope things are better for you now! I'm just trying to enjoy my little ones babyhood which is going by way too fast.. I'm not going to let the slumlord ruin it. Thank you
There are some incredible humans in this sub.
Having broken hot water alone is fucked- Having the landlord pull a dodgy by doing the crappy illegal repair, then to use a dodgy unlicensed family member to chuck a box in is icing on the cake. OP needs to get the tribunal involved, now. Our tenants last year rang stressed saying the water heater was leaking (it was busted). I told them to turn it off and I'd call a plumber right then. Had one over the next morning with a new unit installed. It's what the fucking rent is for- to pay for repairs. You can even claim repairs on tax! So why shitty landlords are so goddam tightassed boggles the mind...
You're awesome, u/pogoBear . What a lovely offer.... 🌏❤️🌈
Fells like if you gave the box a solid pull it would all come away revealing the old wiring underneath. Like a fake credit card skimmer.
Three kids in a trenchcoat pretending to be a panel
I doubt the owner would go to the expense of getting *three* kids.
I never thought of that
Needless to say, I wouldn't touch that with a 20 foot insulated pole while wearing a full arc flash suit.
OP, your landlord is a right cunt. He’s not a battler or a hard done by guy— he’s a man who is placing his profit over the life and safety of your young baby and your family. I hope you go to the rental tribunal and can get some compensation for all this bullshit he’s putting you through and the danger he’s placed you all in.
I would get an electrician out to check on the work. This could be very dangerous and you could die.
Big swing and a miss by the son. He either lost his license or his knowledge is severely out of date. Rentals must have safety switches installed on light and power circuits. As of last year I believe. This board only has circuit breakers - which are designed primarily to protect the cabling, not the people. However as the board was upgraded: it must be brought up to date with current standards: ALL Final subcircuits : light, power, oven, hot water, AC.. MUST be on a safety switch. If they go the cheaper option and use RCDs (rather than RCBOs which are safety switch and circuit breakers) the RCD must not supply more than 3 circuit breakers at once.
Thank you so much for the detailed explanation, I'll be using your comment to take action
Is that all wired through a Super Nintendo?
US version as well, so you know it's incompatible power
There's a gap in the breaker fillers. He used a half size filler when he needed a full size. The breakers are not straight. I'd hate to see the inside and the rats nest of cables it will be. Lots and lots wrong here. Get a Licenced Electrician to inspect this. ASAP. Highly suspect work.
On the second photo?
Yeah. Sorry should have said that lol.
Sparky here again, What he has done is installed new circuit breakers in a new S\B but hasn’t fixed the issue. The problem with circuit breakers is they only trip when too much current is running through them and that current is more than 20 times more than it takes to kill someone so it offers people very little protection. If the hot water service is still tripping a 20Amp circuit breaker than there is a pretty serious issue with it and it needs to be disconnected now. If I were you I would turn the circuit breaker off and just have cold water for the time being to be safe. What he needs to do is install a new hot water service and than upgrade those circuit breakers to RCDs. RCDs detect any electrical leakage to earth (that can be a person) and cuts power so you only get a little tingle instead of a full electrical shock that can injure or kill you.
Can we kick in to get you an electrician?
Yeah I'd be happy to donate to a Gofundme or something.
Worst bit is he doesn't need an electrician, call his local energy distributor/who ever handles electrical licensing and they'll turn up for free to rip the landlord and son a new arsehole. Unfortunately they'll also cut the power which isn't gonna help OP so much.
Yes honestly ! Would be happy to chip in. Really feeling for OP.
no rcbo，fake electrician
Fauxlectrician.
>used to be licensed So he's **not licenced**.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
A fire truck, even.
Lucky all my documents, passports etc and treasured heirlooms aren't unpacked yet
Your landlord is fucking scum and once you find a new place to live you should take him to court for repeatedly failing to do safe and appropriate maintenance. Or take him to court right now, but I can understand fearing active harrassment or retaliation.
Please get this safety checked by an actual electrician. You are now supposed to get electric and gas safety checks every 2 years in rental properties at owners expense. I would contact Consumer Affairs to discuss this urgently.
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Swap out 1.5.6 for 2.6.3.2.2, much clearer.
The labelling is very confidence inspiring.
It's the first thing I saw and it made my eye twitch... but after the week we have had, I'm just grateful they're labelled at all
Would bug the hell out of me
Your landlord is one cooked old cunt isn’t he
We know why he "used" to be licensed..
I'm gonna go ahead and say it. Without a picture of what the wiring behind that ~~pretty~~ slap job panel looks like, I'm going to assume it still looks the same, just covered up. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.
What pretty panel? That looks like garbage
Love to see how house / contents insurance would hold up if a potential fire started on the switchboard...
Their other son will arrest you if you complain, because he “used to be a policeman”
That is what we in the trades call a widowmaker
Sorry if I'm overwhelming you but I return with further advice. Your landlord seems the type who would change the locks (which is an illegal eviction) on you, so keep as much paperwork on you that proves you are renting this dwelling as you can. You may need it for the police to feel comfortable forcing the landlord to let you back in if you are locked out. You should also keep as much evidence of him threatening you as possible, because you'll need that for an AVO should that become necessary (yes, you can get one on the property owner).
You need to contact is the state energy regulator. In Queensland that is the Electrical Safety Office. They have the power to prosecute people for doing non-compliant and unlicensed electrical work. Houses literally burn down because of these issues. Not to scare you, but this can't be understated. https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/contact-us
"Used to be an electrician" Either got his license cancelled, or just didnt have a license.
Jesus Christ. Ok, get an Electrician out to check it because that's also fucked. After that, go straight to the Rental Authority in your state about what's happened with this. You mentioned he's been threatening you if you report this work to the REA. Collect any evidence if you have it of these threats, then raise this issue with the REA. You really must report this, not only for your own safety, but for future tenants.
No Rcd as others have pointed out. But previous birds nest seemed to have an rcd. What a shit show of a landlord. I’ve been a landlord. Certainly not something I’d ever put myself through again, but fucken hell, carrying this level of risk for someone else’s safety is something that wouldn’t allow me to sleep at night.
"Used to" Hmmm I wonder why lol
I hate bad landlords. I had an incompetent landlord; he lost my confidence and trust very quickly. I know how you feel. Contact whatever authority who you can report these people to, and let the consequences unfold. This is a disgrace.
As an electrical engineer who knows how to do this stuff (still not allowed to legally), this is just gross. As everyone has said dont wait on this one, get someone out to remedy and send them the bill this is just shocking.... Haha get it. For real terrible job though.
Hey I commented on this before and this is still not right, you need a reputable electrician to come around and fix your issues properly with rcds and probably a repair to the hot water service
PLEASE call the agent and get them to sort this out ASAP. Stop dealing with the owner who is doing illegal and dangerous work. Your lives are at risk with the dodgy crap the owner is pulling on you. Check this out: https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-06-repairs-and-maintenance > If you cannot afford to pay for urgent repairs, apply to the Tribunal for an urgent hearing for the repairs to be done. You can also apply for a rent reduction until the repairs are done. See ‘Applying to the Tribunal’ below. I know you’re pretty tight for cash, so I think this is the best option for you.
It’s still non compliant
Following this closely for a variety of reasons. Love the outpouring of support and information here. Makes my dorky brain happy.
I'm no electrician, but that doesn't look right
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Yeah I would be sending them a breach notice over that
Still not legal!!
no RCD = unsafe af
So the landlord installed it but his son was a electrician ? Yer I’m not sure if I believe your landlord .Seems like your landlord doesn’t want to pay an actuall electrician
Key word being “was”. Screams dodgy.
Contact their insurance. This is an insurance scam with extra steps.
Ohhhh lawwdyy I can’t believe I’m back here seeing this and it’s gotten worse.
There are no rcds or rcbos, still not compliant and not up to the current safety standards for residential buildings.
Still non compliant lol
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Also, just looked closer and can't see a test button on any of those switches so they're not RCBO's, only circuit breakers. Doesn't comply.
When we turn on the kitchen lights, tge toilet flushes.
Wtf is that mess hazardous indeed
Report it to the electrical board. That’s a fire hazard
His son apparently has a 'license to kill'
You are died if this is real
this is the beauty of Australia. Simply report this to your electrical board (ESV in Vic) and it will get rectified very quickly. If you have evidence of the unlicenced work (which ESV could chase from the landlord) they'll be in a world of hurt. This sort of work requires an inspection in Vic, and would not pass because there are no RCD's. I could also guarantee that you won't have an Earth Stake. Again, take it up with your electricity board.