Electric Socket Positions

[susanxx]

My friend has sold her house and has had to go into rented accommodation. I myself did this some years ago and know just how much off the inventory can be so I have gone through it today to highlight any snags. Most of the issues are minor but I am concerned about the cooker point and socket. It has been positioned within the kitchen sink carcass so close to the bottom shelf that it is impossible to put a plug into the 3 pin socket(for the washing machine probably). My concern is that this is within what could be a water filled area if the u-bend pipes for example become uncoupled and thus be highly dangerous. Am I overreacting or should I be looking for an electrical safety certificate to ensure compliance of electrical regulations just like gas ones? Thanks in advance

[vulcan42]

If they have mounted a socket so close to the shelf that the plug won't fit I would have the whole system checked, doesn't sound very professional does it?

[chelle7272]

Our electrician at work says 300mm distance but that is horizontally. Your description doesnt sound safe or,as vulcan says, professional to me.

[susanxx]

No it doesn't appear very professional and the fuse box still uses fuse wire, plus there is a double adaptor being used for the boiler and something else I haven't worked out yet.

[douglas9401]

Maybe the kitchen fitters put the shelf too high. Electricians tend to know about heights of switches and sockets and how to read drawings.

[susanxx]

I think it is going to be a long day at the rental agents in the morning, thanks for all your input guys.

[Mamyalynne]

I would certainly think an electric cooker point under a sink to be poor positioning, I don't know the legalities.

[douglas9401]

Now that I read it again I think it may be worth subscribing for a day or two.
DIYer using old stuff lying around for jobs they're not designed for.

I've just deleted a large paragraph but reserve the right to say 'I knew it' as more detail emerges. :-)

[The Builder]

Positioning a socket that way is just silly. As for having the switchgear inside the sink cabinet... nothing technically wrong with that.

As far as a safety certificate is concerned, This will depend on the electrician doing the report. I would guess it might be noted as a minor concern, but not given a "red card" as it were.

[Ryzen]

Section 7:1 of an electrical condition report specifically asks if such isolators are positioned within an obvious place next to the appliance or whether isolation instructions are posted.If a problem with the appliance occurs then any occupier needs to know where the switch is.
The switch/outlet should be suitable for the installed conditions....so if its next to pipes/wastes etc it should be I.P. rated or re-positioned.