Looking at a house arranged as 2 flats. However, there is a single electric supply, split and feeding 3 consumer units (one landlord, the 2 for the flats are on check meters)
This is all probably 10-20 years old from the look of the components. Thing is, all the consumer units are in the communal hallway. I thought the CU's should be in the individual flats?
can anybody enlighten me? could be changed but if OK would be an advantage. I realise I will need to get a full check done if we buy, but forewarned is nice.

TIA
Clive

In Scotland (I think) all consumer units must have ECLB's (earth trips) and the flat must have a wired in smoke alarm. All consumer products must have a current safety checked label. The gas needs a safety certificate. At least my flat has all this stuff to rent it out.

All 3 CU's are fitted with RCD's, looks to be plenty of earth bonding going on too, which I think means it was probably done at 15th or 16th edition?
But I specifically want to know about the position. I thought they were supposed to be inside the flats (presumably to stop others turning them off) but nothing to support my hunch, and google is no help (I gave up after an hour of searching)

I think the only requirement is that the occupier needs a notice telling them where it is located. Also the consumer unit can be in a locked cupboard I guess addressing the security issue. If it is a safety issue then I guess you may be right but I can't think of one.

There should be no problem with the CU being in the hallway from an electrical point of view (all appliances / devices in the flat should have local isolation). If the hallway is a shared means of escape from all flats, you may need to box the CU in, depending on your Fire Risk Assessment (drop me a U2U if you want more info) . You probably want to box them in anyway with a small lock to stop people messing around.

I'd suggest getting a periodic electrical test done before you do anything else though.

Wyn

Sounds good. Yep, if we proceed then all the tests etc will be done. One flat has gas heating and cooker, one doesn't but is small. It has an immersion tank so not a huge draw, however leccy cooker and heating. LL CU just for fire/smoke alarms and communal lighting.

Thank you all for replies.