Landlord and broken kitchen light

[LimaLemur]

Hi all,

I moved into my rented flat around a year ago and my flat mates and I have been having problems with our landlord (who I’ve posted about before on here) as the LL takes a long time to do basic repairs in the flat or refuses to do them.

Since I’ve moved in, the following has happened:

1. Things have broken, which we’ve let the LL know about, and they still haven’t been fixed.

The LL promised verbally (and in the written and signed tenancy agreement) to fix things if they were damaged due to wear and tear, yet hasn’t stuck by this.

For example, a toilet won’t flush in one of the bathrooms; a toilet leaks in the other bathroom; there has been a persistent mouse problem in flat (now hopefully sorted, as no mice for a few months now); and, more seriously, a tube light fell down in the kitchen while my flatmate was cooking (LL came in some time after it happened and said ‘this wasn’t an urgent thing to be repaired(!)’

Either the LL ignores our messages asking about these repairs or she refuses to do the repairs.

When we emailed her to complain about these things, she phoned me at 9pm to say ‘we are not a hotel’ and that I could move out if I didn’t like the flat.

The most recent thing is that the main ceiling light in the kitchen has broken (see photo), It broke a week ago and the LL replied the next day, saying she would get someone to fix it and then said that nobody was available to fix it.

As we then heard nothing from her, I emailed the LL yesterday, asking for an update on this. She replied saying that she is arranging for someone to come next week as most workmen are away due to the holidays.

We emailed her back tonight with this:

‘As the kitchen light doesn’t work at all, we are cooking meals in the dark during the evening.

Our rent payments cover essentials, including adequate and safe lighting, which we have now gone without for over a week.

Due to this, we need somebody to come as urgently as possible. Please can you arrange for someone to come this week?’

Who is being U? Is my message fair?

I’d just fix it myself or plug in another lamp so I can get light to cook. It really isn’t that urgent.

Bump.

Is it a fluorescent light? If so your bulb has gone I think. It’s not a faulty light.

Bulbs are consumables to be replaced by tenant.

Is it not the landlord’s responsibility?

To replace a bulb, no.

Replacing a lightbulb? No. Same as your responsibility to replace batteries in smoke alarm, defrost freezer etc

See that dial on the side. My mum's has one went funny like yours. Dad got on a chair and fiddled with that. I suggest you Google and see if it is mendable.

Probably not. Just buy a bulb. If that doesn't work, then refer back to landlord.

Of course it's not the landlords responsibility to replace the lightbulbs. I'd never even consider asking my landlord to do that.

I’d cancel your landlord getting someone out or you will end up with the callout charge

Just change the tube or starter. It's really not the landlord's responsibility.

Toilets yes she should get someone to have a look but the light YABU.

Had it really not occurred to you it was the lightbulb?

I’m kinda giggling at your email that someone needs to come as urgently as possible to replace a lightbulb

You reported this to your LL without changing the bulb to see if it was just a simple fix?

Toilets I’d expect landlord to fix. Mice, you should lay traps; I’d have thought it would only be the landlord’s responsibility if it was clearly a while building issue (eg, if the nest was in a shed or attic only accessible by landlord). Lightbulbs are definitely tenants’ responsibility!

YABU

Just change the damn bulb...

take it to a shop and get a replacement.

If that doesnt fix it then she must come a check if its a faulty light.... I think its your bulb.

Go get your self a new tube and fit it. Not the responsability of your l l to change light bulbs or tubes so get one see if it works and if it doesn't then it's her responsibility

Wow, sorry OP but you sound hard work! Bulbs and mice are your problem to fix. No wonder the LL is getting shirty with you!

The bulb has gone. You can't seriously think this is a landlord's responsibility. So you've been cooking in the dark for a week because you haven't just brought & changed a bulb? 😁

My perennial bulbs did not come up last year in my flowerbed. I was straight on to my land lord who was on it like a rash (not). OP, you need to be realistic about what a landlord can and cannot sort as an emergency. This is just basic household maintenance.

You definitely need to pick your battles- it’s going to be much harder to kick your shitty landlord up the arse about the problems with the toilets if you’re nagging them about a light bulb. Genuine that you’ve been cooking in the dark rather than buying a bulb!

Is this for real? The leaking toilets should have been fixed for sure so I would concentrate on that side of things and replace the lightbulb yourself. It's definitely not the LL's responsibility

Op which part of tube light fell down when your flatmate was cooking?..was it the bulb?...did it fall completely out and hit the floor or just come out a bit at one side?...if it came out a bit just fix it back in and you will have light...if it's fallen out and smashed, just put a new bulb in...if you change the bulb and it's still not working then ask the landlady for help

Bloody hell, did your parents do everything for you? You seriously can't figure out that if a bulb burns out, that you replace it yourself? Fuck me, I don't want to live on this planet anymore.