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Original poster

Does anyone have the bathroom extractor fan that never switches off if the light is on?

27 replies

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 24/04/2018 13:46

My landlord recently changed the extractor fan and got rid of the switch that let me turn it off for the night. I use the bathroom frequently at night - the buzzing fully wakes me up and is really unnerving also in the evening when I want to relax, I don’t know, do a face mask, paint my nails, whatever.
If someone else uses the bathroom I can hear it too as I’m a light sleeper, although it’s the the loudest fan.
Would it annoy anyone else or am i being precious? I have no issue keeping it on during the day.

OP posts:
foxykim20 · 24/04/2018 13:52

Me! My light and extractor are connected so can't have one on without the other. I have a LED bathroom cabinet which I leave on overnight and provides enough light if I need to go to the loo in the night. Really wish that I'd thought about it more when I remodelled my bathroom a few years ago as it's super annoying. If I'm having a relaxing bath I generally light candles and just have the cabinet light on.

Thegirlisnotright · 24/04/2018 13:53

Are you sure you don’t have an isolator switch somewhere? Up high somewhere

bonzo77 · 24/04/2018 13:55

Mine. Did my head in. I got the fans disconnected. Probably not so easy if you’re renting. In my old house they had their own isolator switch.

SeeKnievelHitThe17thBus · 24/04/2018 13:58

Yep. It's our house though, rather than shared accommodation so we canjust use the landing light to illuminate the bathroom as night. It gives enough light to pee by!

We tend to shower rather than have soaks in the bath though, and I paint my nails in the living room so it's less of a nuisance than it is perhaps for you.

WhenDoISleep · 24/04/2018 14:07

Yes, it's incredibly loud and annoying. When we had one in previous properties, the isolator switch was above the door and easily. I think the extractor switch for this one is just inside the loft hatch in the ceiling outside the bathroom.

When we eventually sort out remodelling the bathroom (looking likely to be another 18 months away instead of this summer now) one of my major priorities will be ensuring a more efficient, less noisey extractor is installed, and that the isolator switch is in reach.

Original poster
DrinkFeckArseGirls · 24/04/2018 14:15

Thank you for your replies. There was the isolator switch above the door but when the fan was replaced, the switch was taken out and the hole covered with a plastic square thing.
There was a discussion about changing the fan but no one said they'r be getting rid of the switch.

I can paint my nails elsewhere but I do need proper light in the evenings in the bathroom to pluck my beard and moustache, shave, put my acid on or if I get up at night - take my moon cup out.

I do have ADHD and anxiety, which means I can't ignore the sound in the evenings, when it's quiet otherwise - it's really putting me on edge. I have problems winding down so this is really not helping.

I don't want to really divulge about my mental health and personal grooming habits to the property manager - or should I? They apparently don't understand what the problem is and are offering me a timer for the landing light Confused.

OP posts:
PenCobSwan · 24/04/2018 14:18

Our bathroom extractor fan carries on for 8 minutes after we switch the bathroom light off. Not a big deal unless shower right before bed time i.e. can't get to sleep with the sound of the extractor fan running.

We are mindful NOT to switch the bathroom light on in the night as it will make the extractor fan come on too, then we are stuck with the bloody noise until it shuts off automatically. A very long eight minutes.

This is better than when the extractor fan in the bathroom didn't work at all and it was taped over with sticky tape that had become grimy with dust. (It defies belief that the house was rented with this and many other, 'snags' still outstanding.)

PenCobSwan · 24/04/2018 14:25

Just tell the property manager you want the fan shut off switch reinstated please. Simply say, should you wish to, that there are times when you just need the light on and not the fan.

You could just lightheartedly remark, 'if I'm putting on make up, or doing my nails etc.

You could tell them, if you wish to, that you cannot relax or sleep with the sound of the extractor operating. This compromises your quiet enjoyment of the property where you live.

Google, 'quiet enjoyment' you have rights.

This is going to be sexist, but, if the property management only use a bathroom to wash or shave or go to the toilet they will have no concept of why you only want the light on sometimes.

PigletJohn · 24/04/2018 14:30

yes, and it's great.

If you can hear your with the door shut, it is probably old and worn out. That's usually why people grumble about them.

Modern ones, with ball-bearing motors, are typically about 25db (look it up)

Post a photo of yours and I might recognise it.

user1495884620 · 24/04/2018 14:32

Are there any problems with damp? If so, landlord might have linked extractor to light to increase ventilation.

Baxdream · 24/04/2018 14:37

We had one that was so loud! Same as you I'd wake up if anyone used the bathroom at night, drove me crazy!
We've changed it to a quiet one now thankfully

Original poster
DrinkFeckArseGirls · 24/04/2018 14:43

pen - thanks, I will send a succinct email - I have a draft that is way too emotional, but it was good to get it out.

There was a bit of condensation, yes user but it was because it turned out that the previous fan didn't have any, erm, suction (?) at all. It was making a jarring noise but that's it. I always had it on during the day and if i had a steamy shower I would shove my dehumidifier in the bathroom to get rid of the steam. There is nothing steam/ moisture generating that I do there late evenings/ at night. Well, apart form the steam coming out of my ears...

OP posts:
Original poster
DrinkFeckArseGirls · 24/04/2018 14:45

piglet it doesnt have any company name on it.

Does anyone have the bathroom extractor fan that never switches off if the light is on?
OP posts:
user1495884620 · 24/04/2018 14:46

Perhaps a helpful argument might be that if you are taking a shower now the mornings are lighter, it would also be useful to switch the extractor on when the lights aren't being used.

user1495884620 · 24/04/2018 14:47

Assuming it has a window for light of course!

PigletJohn · 24/04/2018 16:46

'mmmm, I don't recognise it.

But if it is noisy it is presumably a cheap one.

You can get a noisy fan for less than a tenner, a quiet one costs £50 or so. Is the landlord frugal?

Jon66 · 24/04/2018 17:24

PenCobSwan 'quiet enjoyment' has nothing to do with noise! Ok it's a bit of a minefield replacing these fans, having just done ours in a rented flat. You can change the length of time they run on. If you were my tenant I would be fine reinstating the isolator switch. Just speak to the landlord. If they are awkward offer to pay. Wouldn't be more than 80 quid, unless you are in London, in which case double it.

ImaginaryCat · 24/04/2018 17:27

I'm in the process of revamping an inherited property to rent out and was advised by both the letting agent and the bathroom fitter to wire it up so the extractor fan automatically comes on with the light, with no shut off option. I'm afraid it's so I don't have to rely on the tenant to do the right thing and protect my property.

As someone who's rented for 20 years and finally been able to buy, I'm afraid I can see the logic. I'm precious about avoiding damp in my owned property in a way that I simply never was as a tenant (and I really don't think I was a bad tenant!)

Troels · 24/04/2018 17:30

We have a noisy one on the ceiling in the family bath. Runs 8 mins after the light is out.
Dh put a night light in each bathroom for night visits it's in the shaver outlet and also one in the hall.

Whywonttheyletmeusemyusername · 24/04/2018 17:32

Exact same problem here...many thanks to the pp who mentioned there was a shut off switch... Grin

PigletJohn · 24/04/2018 17:44

if only more people would buy quiet ones!

specialsubject · 24/04/2018 18:31

this was the subject of much discussion when revamping my rental. However in a world where people take twenty minute showers and don't open windows, and then complain about condensation, landlords fit fans that tenants can't over-ride.

if you are just nipping to the bathroom during the night, the timer on the landing seems quite reasonable to me. If the fan is too loud, that's the problem.

Pinkyblinder · 24/04/2018 18:36

Think yourself lucky that you don't have a DS who won't switch off the bathroom light (or other lights). As a result the light and fan can stay on all day and night. Drove me mad at the cost of it all and safety issues.

He is away so I not a problem at moment.

As for visits to the loo at night, which unfortunately can be quite a few times for me, I get up and sleepwalk in the dark across the landing the loo, wash hands and get back to bed all without turning on any lights. Last thing I need is lighting of any kind to wake me up any further.

PigletJohn · 24/04/2018 19:25

"cost"

A typical, quiet, modern extractor will run for 120 hours on 14p worth of electricity.

To be fair, an energy-saving or LED lamp costs about the same.

PenCobSwan · 25/04/2018 13:33

Jon 66 -

Quiet enjoyment is a right to the undisturbed use and enjoyment of real property by a tenant or landowner.

Undisturbed by noisy bathroom fan in this case.

Why should the tennant pay to replace a noisy extractor fan ? Tennants aren't there to pay for improvements to the property on behalf of the owner.

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