Things to look out for

• Obvious signs of damage to socket-outlets, switches, and lights.
• Signs of overheating at socket-outlets.
• How many socket-outlets are there in each room? If there are only one or two, or they are single sockets. It could be an indication that the installation may be quite old.
• The use of extension leads and socket outlet adaptors.
• Are the socket-outlets of the round pin type? If so, the installation is very old.
• Round light switches and braided flex hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches and sockets mounted in skirting boards
• Check the fuse box – just because it looks new doesn’t mean it is – it may have had just a fuse box change, so check the rest of the installation as well.
• Has it got rewirable fuses? These have not been installed in new installations for many years.
• If the fuse box has a wooden back, cast iron switches, or a haphazard mixture of fuses it is likely that it dates back to before the 1960s and will need to be replaced.