Should I be worried about this feature of our current holiday home?

[tessmcgill]

I'm no electrician but are there any out there who could take a look at the light fitting in our holiday home (Airbnb) that I'm a bit worried about? We are in the UK and the gap from light fitting to shower enclosure at its smallest is approx 1inch.

Thank you - posted here for traffic....

Is it a holiday home you own or one you are renting?

We have rented a whole house on Airbnb

It's just the cover which is a bit loose. Nothing is exposed? What are you worried about - is it because it's in a bathroom?

It looks like it has just popped out of the fitting-I would contact your host.

I'm just a bit worried because it's a bare bulb, an inch from a shower enclosure - every bathroom I have been in has those enclosed light fittings in the ceiling - this just doesn't look right. But as I said I'm not an electrician so this could be totally acceptable.

"terrible, shouldn't be like that. It's breaking the law" is the opinion of my electrician partner

Bs7671 wiring regs

I’d report it asap for safety and you don’t want them putting the blame your way as they might not have noticed it.

Thank you all. I will get in touch with them. Thanks.

DH (builder and electrician) - " don't touch it - it wouldn't comply with Uk regulations" but where are you? Rules are different in other countries.

I'm in the UK!

It isn’t right. I think if you avoid touching it or sticking your fingers in to it you will probably be ok.

Can you tell if it’s real metal or fake plastic metal without touching it?

I'm amazed somebody could be quite that stupid

I've seen something similar from Ikea (daughter has one)
Same sort of lousy arrangement.

You don't really need an electrician to fix it, but you do need to make sure the electricity is off.

The usual problem is that the excess cable is coiled up inside the 'cup' part of the light (the bit that's hanging off the ceiling). This will be causing the issue.

Turn off the electrics for that light and you should be able to rearrange the excess cable inside that cup. Turn off the electrics at the consumer unit (the box that 'trips' when you blow a fuse). Although not strictly a fuse, this is what most people will understand.

Nope... even if the cover wasn't loose that is not an acceptable bathroom light.

That looks lethal/dangerous. Don't use the shower and contact Airbnb as well as the owner.

Looks like copper and doesn't appear to be a plastic replica. Definitely a metal of some sort.

It's safe but not really connected properly. From very trusted and experienced spark.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/lighting/ceiling-lights/sl%C3%A4ttbo-pendant-lamp-copper-colour-art-00322901/

It's an approved UK light. The design is poor. The excess length of cable is coiled into the 'cup' part in order for you to tailor the length as you like.
It needs to be coiled up tightly before the cup is put on, or it can fall off (as seen)

DP (builder) said "oh my giddy aunt, very naughty, people just don't think". When I said it was in a holiday house, he then said "gawd".

Hope you get it sorted. Be careful, tess.

Ah right sorry it's because it's in a bathroom.

TBH it looks totally normal to me, just badly fitted but the plastic part which is hanging off is only a cosmetic cover, it doesn't have any safety function. Most of our lights look like this because we're in Germany and you have to install your own - and on cheap light fittings, the fixture to make the plastic wire cover stay flush to the ceiling is never really fit for purpose. But as said, it's a cosmetic issue, not a safety one.

However if it's because it's not a watertight light fitting then that's a separate concern.

Do you have anyone in your party that is likely to stick their fingers in it whilst showering?

From www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/

Lights
Enclosed ceiling lights are preferable to the ones that hang down.

All light fittings, that are not enclosed, should be out of reach of someone using, or still wet from using, the bath or shower.

Everyday light switches are a danger because of dampness and wet hands. A ceiling-mounted pull-cord switch is the safest option.

This is important -
www.thelightingsuperstore.co.uk/bathroom-lighting-zones

It will help you to understand where a light can and CANNOT be in your bathroom, what voltage and what level of protection is needed (IP rating for water and moisture)

We had an ikea light like that in our house - where the casing slipped down, but all the wires/connection were still fine. It was literally the outside plastic cover that slipped loose. But I won't contradict all those that say it's unsafe - probably not worth the risk.