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AIBU?

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Original poster

Taking light bulbs from old house to new house

325 replies

EasterBun2001 · 05/01/2020 09:46

When we bought our first home we invested in LED lightbulbs throughout which are not cheap but have paid for themselves in ridiculously low energy bills.

Now looking at moving, my sensible head wants to bring the bulbs with me but I feel like this would be unreasonable for anyone moving in.

What would you do?

OP posts:
BanSprouts · 05/01/2020 18:49

Either leave them or get some cheap ones to replace them with. Leaving the new owners with no light bulbs would be a shitty thing to do

stripeypillowcase · 05/01/2020 18:51

if you want full spectrum 'grow' bulbs then you pay a lot more than 17£ for 9.
or if your lampshade/chandelier takes a certain type of bulb shape

EnglishRain · 05/01/2020 18:59

I took the locks when we sold out last house 🤭

In all seriousness we spent a lot of money on expensive locks that all had the same key, and the key had a special code meaning you can't just get one cut from another key. Even though our new house had different types of locks, I still brought them with us just in case they're suitable for any future houses. They cost over £400 for four locks and the keys and the person we sold too was a right pain in the end. I had kept the locks from when we moved in and just swapped them back.

I am sure many people will think I am mad, but we had only been their 18 months.

wonkylegs · 05/01/2020 19:06

@ClappyFlappy ours isn't a hive system, it's a bit fancier and will run with normal valves just not smartly

The thing with LED bulbs if you had them counted as part of your EPC (it's a question in it) they would be similar to the smart radiator valves and would be counted as an energy efficiency measure rather than a straightforward consumable.

youkiddingme · 05/01/2020 19:06

Did you replace the locks with some standard ones englishrain ? I mean you didn't actually leave them with no locks?.....!

1forAll74 · 05/01/2020 19:10

Just leave the bulbs, its a bit crappy to leave a house in darkness.
Myself and family went to live in the USA for three years in the 80's. We rented out our lovely house in a village. The first two renters were great, But another family rented our place for about six months,before we were due back home again, they were waiting for a new house to be finished,that got delayed because of bad weather.

When we arrived back in the UK, they had left, and we went to check on our house. They had taken every single light bulb,it was quite a large house,with many lights. They had also taken six large , good quality heavy ceramic plant pots from the large garden,all with exotic shrubs in them, and also a large ladder from the double garage.

We had had an agent to deal with the house whilst we were away for all that time, And he said he would talk to the last stealing tenants , but we told him not to bother with them, and just put it down to some odd ball people, who needed to light up their new home ha ha,

Bluetrews25 · 05/01/2020 19:11

Are there LEDs in your future home already?
If so, are they leaving them?
Will your bulbs be compatible?

TooManyPaws · 05/01/2020 19:18

Can you actually buy non-LED bulbs anymore?

I know we all have different tastes and I'm probably in the minority but after seeing that hall photo I'd be quite grateful if the previous owners took both the bulbs and the actual light fittings with them to save me a job.

Yes, I'd be ripping that out and replacing it with a better-looking, period-appropriate light. I suspect that that style will date very quickly.

zoobincan · 05/01/2020 20:06

I can see how these things add up (a quick tot in my head and we have 50 odd lightbulbs in fitted lights

Shock

We have 8.

ClappyFlappy · 05/01/2020 20:12

A lot of lights have multiple bulbs though of course @zoobincan we only have a small 3 bed semi but have a lot of litchis with multiple bulbs or spotlights so have probably over 30 bulbs

ClappyFlappy · 05/01/2020 20:13

Wtf is litchis? Lights

zoobincan · 05/01/2020 20:14

lot of lights have multiple bulbs though of course

Erm, I know.

we only have a small 3 bed semi

I didn't mention the size of that persons house.

I simply said we have 8 and that 50 is a lot, because even by your standards (30), 50 is a lot.

24hourshomeedderandcarer · 05/01/2020 20:16

i would take them.
we have hive bulbs every where and they were bloody dear so if we move they are coming with us

same with the thermostat,we got that from hive also so will be taking that off the wall

Rosebel · 05/01/2020 20:18

My sister took hers which were expensive but she did replace them with cheap ones the day she moved. I think it's okay to take them but you should replace them.

ClappyFlappy · 05/01/2020 20:20

You didn’t just say you had 8 though did you, you accompanied with a surprised face emoji. I don’t think 50 is that many, all it would take would be to have a couple more rooms with multi bulb lights than my shithole house. Anyway its a Sunday night and I’m not going to argue or debate flipping light bulbs!

Natsku · 05/01/2020 20:31

Take them and replace with normal ones.

Could be worse, I didn't realise where I live it's normal to take the actual light fixtures with you when you move out of a rental. I moved into my first flat alone after previously living with my ex and there were no lights except for the kitchen and hallway fluorescent ones!

zoobincan · 05/01/2020 20:37

You didn’t just say you had 8 though did you, you accompanied with a surprised face emoji.

What's your problem? Yes I used an emoji. It didn't mean I said anything other than I have 8 and 50 is a lot though!

ClappyFlappy · 05/01/2020 20:38

I don’t have a problem. I have no idea why you’re being so snippy! As I said I have no intention of getting into a fight with a random on the internet about light bulbs, so don’t waste your time replying again.

TowerRavenSeven · 05/01/2020 20:40

Just no!

GlamGiraffe · 05/01/2020 20:44

I'm shocked someone would even consider this.

With all the costs of a new property and associated fees surely the price of "expensive" lightbulbs is pretty insignificant.

I think it's incredibly mean personally.

rumandbiscuits · 05/01/2020 20:45

Take the bulbs and leave cheaper ones?

Or just leave them. It's a bit mean leaving then in the dark.

Threefaries · 05/01/2020 20:49

When we moved house we left all our energy efficient LED bulbs. We were happy knowing that there would be two house full of energy efficient bulbs.

GlamGiraffe · 05/01/2020 20:50

I've just done a quick mental tot up, I've got over 150 bulbs in light fittings here, I would never even think of removing them. Its insanity. IMO they are part of the house.

CameronG · 05/01/2020 20:53

I absolutely fucking love this thread.

LakieLady · 05/01/2020 20:54

@nzborn: When I bought my first house, the sellers asked if I'd mind if they took their bathroom mirror.

I agreed. It was nothing special, just a plain mirror, screwed to the wall, not in a frame or anything.

What they hadn't told me was that they'd put the mirror up before they decorated the bathroom, and had papered round it. For a few months, I had a rectangle of tasteful (not!) purple and turquoise 60s psychedelic wallpaper on one wall. I sort of missed it when I finally got round to decorating.