Is a RCD in a rented property a legal requirement?

In short No. Although its strongly advisable to have RCD protection fitted in a rental property as it could save the tenant from a fatal electric shock as well as prevent a fire. Your legal duty of care is to provide a safe and habitable property. To be electrically safe it must be tested every 5 years and reach a "Satisfactory" status. In properties with no RCD protection at the fuseboard, then ideally the socket nearest the garden should have a built in RCD so as to protect the tenants if they use any electrical equipment outdoors. Download a copy of the landlords Electrical safety guide from the electricity safety council website.

The last two sets of electical regualtions have required RCD protection for showers and socket outlets . When carrying out Landlord certs i would expect to see RCD protection for at least the circuits listed above . hope this helps Western electrical inst LTD 07812997791

It all depends on when those circuits where installed as it was not always required. You should find out if he had an electrical inspection carried out as he has to prove that he has taken reasonable precautions to insure the safety of the electrical installtion. An electrical check will ascertain if rcd protection or upgrading to earthing or bonding is required. Contact the niceic or check out the electrical safety council for more information and to know where you stand

I would say this is not acceptable and un satisfactory , you need to have local isolation in the area of the shower in case of emergency. A pull switch for the shower provides a local cut off point . In regards to not having an rcd we would strongly advise this also to be upgraded , however the spec on the circuits, what they control and how they are wired may prove un necessary but in our standards , you can never comprehend when it comes to safety first.