landlord certs

[moony]

can anyome tell me what they look for, currently studying level 3 nvq, apprenticeship im pretty good at most things, but the landlord certs im still new to. im way ahead of the other lads in the class (prob due to me being one of the oldest and just get my head down 30) anyway i know to check the appliances just what set of rules if there are any do any of you follow, my boss is very vague when it comes to doing this (checking the burner pressure? never seen him do this) also what faults can there be. we just seem to be in and out and im sure this is not the way it should be done.

obviously i dont want to question him without knowing everything i need to know first.

any links, tips or whtever else you can offer would be greatly appreciated, or books to get etc, i have the heinemans level 3 book but it does not show me much and as some of the lads on the course are slacking its holding me back a little. especially with my boss being so vague about it all.
cheers

 

[GreenArmy]

Let-by and tightness test first. Check installation pipework i.e is pipework sleeved and sealed where necessary, any corrosion to pipework, is pipework adequately fixed, look for inappropriate fittings, is pipework correctly sized. Is ECV labeled and accessible. First appliance, i.e combi boiler, is flue correct and termination in suitable position, if boiler in compartment does this require ventilation, if so is it correct. Fire up boiler and gas rate and/or burner pressure test, is this correct (if not a service will be required) check case seal, if condensing boiler carry out analyser test as per manufacturers instructions. Does Flame failure devise work correctly. Is appliance safe to use and stable on wall. If open flued appliance i.e fire, check ventilation if required, remove fire and carry out flue test with smoke pellet and check builders opening for correct size and construction, check closure plate for damage, check termination and flue across its length, refix fire, check flame failure device, gas rate and/or burner pressure, carry out spillage test, is appliance safe to use. Clean up, carry out another let-by and tightness test, make out paperwork. Thats just two basic appliances and other tests on other appliances or situations will need similar or other checks, i.e does the room next to the open flued appliance have an extractor fan ect.......ive probably missed some things in this post, but most properties and installations are different and its easier to explain to an apprentice whilst on site, rather than posting on here.

 

[REDSAW]

good post mark,
the real question is,
who honestly does all of this when doing a check?.
i know of one at least who will be in and out within half an hour.

come on be honest lads.

 

[quality]

i know of one at least who will be in and out within half an hour.

I know at least couple more

 

[moony]

excellent mark - thats great cheers.

i know at least one more now too

hes got a portfolio of 70 houses too which is scary but knowing the landlord, he probably wouldnt have the portfolio if he was to thorough.

 

[GreenArmy]

good post mark,
the real question is,
who honestly does all of this when doing a check?.
i know of one at least who will be in and out within half an hour.

come on be honest lads.

Well Red, i have to say i do all this. The difference is i work for a Housing Association, so my work can/could be checked by our Quality Inspector at any time, so even the most minor thing is either corrected/noted or both. With this type of work i want 'no flies on me'. To be fair once youve drummed into yourself everything that is required, you do this without thinking about it.

 

[Rusty]

I do all this to, plus alway's check the heat exchanger to to make sure its clear on a boiler

 

[payney1974]

Let-by and tightness test first. Check installation pipework i.e is pipework sleeved and sealed where necessary, any corrosion to pipework, is pipework adequately fixed, look for inappropriate fittings, is pipework correctly sized. Is ECV labeled and accessible. First appliance, i.e combi boiler, is flue correct and termination in suitable position, if boiler in compartment does this require ventilation, if so is it correct. Fire up boiler and gas rate and/or burner pressure test, is this correct (if not a service will be required) check case seal, if condensing boiler carry out analyser test as per manufacturers instructions. Does Flame failure devise work correctly. Is appliance safe to use and stable on wall. If open flued appliance i.e fire, check ventilation if required, remove fire and carry out flue test with smoke pellet and check builders opening for correct size and construction, check closure plate for damage, check termination and flue across its length, refix fire, check flame failure device, gas rate and/or burner pressure, carry out spillage test, is appliance safe to use. Clean up, carry out another let-by and tightness test, make out paperwork. Thats just two basic appliances and other tests on other appliances or situations will need similar or other checks, i.e does the room next to the open flued appliance have an extractor fan ect.......ive probably missed some things in this post, but most properties and installations are different and its easier to explain to an apprentice whilst on site, rather than posting on here.

How many services do you do a day?

 

[GreenArmy]

Depends payney. As you know all properties are different. What i mentioned in that post is what is required in a Landlords Safety Check. I always service the appliances as ive found through experience that a new tenant will move in and there will be some problem with the boiler, so by doing a full service i know that that the system is working as it should which saves on call backs when the tenant moves in. Could do five a day if everything is good, but you only need one where there is a problem that can mess up your day. (im doing this work in empty properties)

 

[payney1974]

I know where my Mrs works they do 5-6 a day to a good standard (housing association) but the company i work for they expect 12!! I dont actually do the servicing but i have spoken to good service engineers that have just started and some things they find are scary!! ei. builders openings full off dead birds, nests and soot and i heard one engineer found a vertical flue off a combi terminated in the loft!! this was a 3 year old install!!

 

[oldplumber]

Surely a land lord check is just that, ie safe to use or not. If an appliance is in need of a service, it should fail and then the landlord has to pay for a service.

If a land lord asks me to service his boiler, then i am happy for a tenner on top to give him a land lord certificate o/c of the service. otherwise the landlord is getting a free service unless you are charging above nrmal rates for a landlord check?

 

[heating-eng]

Surely a land lord check is just that, ie safe to use or not. If an appliance is in need of a service, it should fail and then the landlord has to pay for a service.

If a land lord asks me to service his boiler, then i am happy for a tenner on top to give him a land lord certificate o/c of the service. otherwise the landlord is getting a free service unless you are charging above nrmal rates for a landlord check?

i think you will find that a landlord check should be as good as it gets in terms of what you need to do.
the gas installation needs testing.
fires need to be taken out and flues checked / burner pressure/flame failure device.
boilers should be fully checked , burner pressure and or gas rate / flues/flame failure device.
pipework should be checked where possible .
the meter should be checked for earth bonding and if it hasnt got it then the customer should be advised.

i have proberly missed something as well . come on lads we all do this on every job dont we .

 

[Deleted member 2053]

No one seems to have mentioned cookers: thing needs to be comparatively clean - i.e. not so covered in grease that it represents a fire risk, burners to to have correct profile and work on simmer without extinguishing. Ovens needs to light on low flame and then pick up unless it has thermocoupled system and should be allowed to heat to prove they respond to the thermostat. Grill needs to have a good flame pattern. Safety devices need to be proven to work correctly. Thing needs to be stabilised (chain etc) and level. Pipe for freestanding unit needs to be of correct type, in good condition and not touching the floor when the cooker is in the normal position. Soundness test should be carried out with the hob cover, if present, in the open position.

I don't have the pressures of working for housing associations so I always encourage the landlords in my portfolio to have boilers serviced as part of the certification. Most of them see the logic. One, who has a maintenance contract with BG gets me to service them anyway as he doesn't believe BG do a proper service.