no lights in hallway and on stairs in flats

pimento

G_M wrote: »

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

It uses the flash in the camera. Very clever idea.

mustrum_ridcully

Werdnal wrote: »

Ask the other tenants if the lights have every 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? You LL may even be unaware that the lights don't work!

Frankly any LL who doesn't know about time lag switches should perhaps choose another way of making a living...

stacey4415c

Thanks tyllwyd, it's funny you should mention sensors, there is a square with a blue circle light in by the main door, i have no idea what it is for, it may be a sensor but until i change the bulbs i guess i won't know. The landlord and estate agent are particularly bad at being "helpful" and i'm quite sure most of the other tenants really don't give a cr£p about anything considering the state the flat was in when i moved.

Thanks prudryden. There are six other flats in the building, the landlord doesn't live here and i believe the landlord owns all the flats. I don't think there is anyone in charge of maintenance, there is someone the landlord calls a "handyman" but he certainly isn't very handy, he makes a mess of every single job he does. On each floor there is a white plastic square which has a blue or green circle that lights up, not sure if it's a sensor, it could well be and i guess it could be that the bulbs need changing.

At the moment i have put a lamp on the landing outside my flat, which works very well actually once you are on the first floor, although the ground floor is still extremely dark.

stacey4415c

Will contact the estate agent tonight, and as usual they will tell me they will get someone to look into it, but probably not get back to me until i hound them.

Out of interest, is a "handyman" allowed to enter my flat without my permission? When i first moved in i had a problem with my wardrobe and shower, one evening i returned to find they had been 'fixed', as he has a key he just entered without me knowing. Contacted estate agents said i was very unhappy, they said sorry.

Yorkie1

stacey4415c wrote: »

Out of interest, is a "handyman" allowed to enter my flat without my permission? When i first moved in i had a problem with my wardrobe and shower, one evening i returned to find they had been 'fixed', as he has a key he just entered without me knowing. Contacted estate agents said i was very unhappy, they said sorry.

No, not even the LL can enter the flat without your permission (unless it's a genuine emergency).

Follow up your conversation with the EA with a letter. Contents of the letter will depend on what you actually want in the future, and bearing in mind that you don't necessarily want to scupper your relationship with the LL / EA without due need.

Personally I'd thank them for getting the items fixed, but reiterate your concern that you weren't told when the handyman was to attend, which meant that you were not given the opportunity to agree a convenient time and/or for you to be present, and then set out what you want in the future. Some people are happy just to say they do not consent to anyone coming in unless they are present; some people are happy not to be present but want 24h written notice; others refuse all entry altogether (but be prepared for a s.21 notice from an unhappy LL who considers the tenant to be a problem).

And if you suspect it will happen again, change the barrel of the lock (change back at the end).

stacey4415c

Thank you Yorkie1, how easy is it to change the barrel? What tools do i need to change the lock?

Thank you

stacey4415c

I have another problem to add to the list, on the first floor there is a large window which has no lock, a person can fit through as proved when a plumber came round. Is this something the landlord should fix? Also the window on the second floor is locked and cannot be opened, should this be rectified? In case of a fire? Sorry for all the questions, advice much appreciated

stacey4415c

Oh and not only does it not lock but it has no closing mechanism, not sure if that's the best way to describe it but basically it can be pulled open from the outside, and pushed open from the outside-extremely easily

lynzpower

stacey4415c wrote: »

I have another problem to add to the list, on the first floor there is a large window which has no lock, a person can fit through as proved when a plumber came round. Is this something the landlord should fix? Also the window on the second floor is locked and cannot be opened, should this be rectified? In case of a fire? Sorry for all the questions, advice much appreciated

Sounds to me like you might need to call your local Environmental Health team at the council, if you do not get any joy with resolving these issues within another short time frame.

Put all your issues in writing to the LL and the agent, when they do not respond escalate it to your local EHO.

Sounds like there are security and safety risks at the property. I agree there does sound like there are potentially fire escape issues with no lighting this is not good at all. !

dancingfairy

Other options could be to contact the police regarding the dodgy window and then you can go to the landlord and say this is what the police recommend. O.k you'd maybe want to say that they were doing the neighbourhood rounds if you didn't want to antagonise the landlord but it seems this landlord needs to be 'reminded' or his/her duties.
You could also speak to the firebrigade about fire escape routes and whether the house is safe in that respect.
Best of Luck
df