no lights in hallway and on stairs in flats

stacey4415c

I live in a house that's been converted into seven flats. There are no working lights in the hallway or staircase, there are light fittings, the type with a sort of plate covering, rather than a shade, BUT there are no light switches.

I usually get home from work about 7, sometimes 8 and sometimes 9 and the hallway and staircases are pitch black( my flat is right at the top of the house). It is extremely dark , the stairs are steep and there is one particular stair that i think may be uneven as i regularly trip on the same one.

My question is, should the landlord provide lights? I would like to put new light bulbs in but there is no switch anyway, so really don't think there'd be a point, unless the light would be on constantly? i have no idea really

any advice would be appreciated

thank you

poppysarah

Ring and say you've had an accident in the dark stairs and who do you put on the court papers....

Seriously though: put it in writing.

You could speak to the building control officer at the council as when it was converted they surely would have to consider lighting in communal areas. (although if there is broken lighting that needs reporting to the landlord/letting agent)

In the meantime take a torch to work.

hanwellmike

The torch is a cheap simple excellent suggestion to prevent an accident in the short term. But you should complain writing to the landlord if it really is dangerous. It's possible he is unaware.

tyllwyd

When you say there are no switches, I wonder if they have a sensor on them that should be triggered by movement or when it goes dark? Have you spoken to the other residents - have there ever been working lights in the hallway?

pimento

I have a torch app on my phone.

pararct

Inform the landlord, its probable that the bulbs have gone. Communal hallways lighting it either operating by a light and movement sensor or will be on a timer and operated with a key switch.
These flats (the conversion) sounds like a House Multiple Occupation. On that basis the communal hallways should also have a fire alarm system fitted and all front doors to the flats should be rated to FD30 minimum and be on automatic (hydraulic) closers.

If I lived right at the top of a set of flats like this I would make pretty sure the LL observed the correct regulations as regards fire safety and keeping of a safe escape route.

Am not saying that this is the case here but if this lighting issue has been a long term problem then there may be other issues. For your own safety please check as the communal stairwell is almost certainly your only way out.

Werdnal

I think this could possibly constitute a fire safety hazard. The block where our flat is situated has emergency lighting which comes on should the mains power fail as a result of a fire. This illuminates the stairwells to allow safe exit.

We also have normal lights on time switches - you press the button when you come in, and the light stays on for a certain time to allow you to reach the top/bottom of the stairs.

Outside in the communal areas, there are sensor "dusk to dawn" lights.

Its all very well saying carry a torch, but if your are woken at 2.00am by a fire in the building, thats the last thing on your mind!

Ask the other tenants if the lights have ever worked. ~Does the same LL own/let all the flats? Ask the LL if they would replace the bulbs. My guess is that either they have failed and everyone has learned to live with it, or the LL has left them out (or even turned off the circuit) to save money as they were probably being left on 24/7. Do you know if the flats are leasehold? If so, who looks after the communal stairways - is there a freeholder/management company? Your LL may even be unaware that the lights don't work!

prudryden

Definitely find out the situation with the other flats e.g. are some or all owner occupied? Is there a resident's association if owner occupied? How many are rental flats and is it the same landlord? Who is in charge of maintenance? Who is the freeholder? Can you see any sensors?

sb2_2

When you say there is a plate covering but no switch, are you sure its not a touch sensitive light switch?

G_M

Originally Posted by pimento
I have a torch app on my phone.

Eton_Rifle wrote: »

Suddenly feeling very old....

When you activate the app, a picture of a torch appears on the screen... :rotfl:

pimento

Eton_Rifle wrote: »

Suddenly feeling very old....

That makes me feel a very young at 51!

My teenage son showed me how to do it.