Paying for Landlords Security Lighting!

chris1973

I'm after some advice, i'm a tenant in a rented property which is basically an Annexe off the landlords main residence, although part of the main house (a large farm) the property is self contained, and has its own private entrance, and seperate (pre-pay) meter which is controlled by N-Power (not a sub-meter)

Recently, (more so as the nights draw in) i've noticed a big spike in my evening consumption, upon checking around my meter i've noticed a wire coming from my distribution board and leading to the control system which feeds the entire security lighting for the grounds.

I've also confirmed this by borrowing a clamp meter from work and measuring the consumption - as soon as the security lights are triggered, my consumption jumps from an average of 330W to 2400W for around the 15 minutes that the lights are running, and then returns to normal when they switch off.

I casually mentioned this to the LL, and they seem to think thats its fair, as I also use, or rather share, the same driveway / parking area and garden as they do and so I also get the use of the lights. My suggestion would be that it would perhaps be fairer to have a fixed service charge to cover this, rather tha have me foot the entire load, but it fell on deaf ears. Either way, I dont think its fair that I should be paying 100% of the cost of running their properties' security lighting!, when I'm possibly the one who makes use of it the least!.

I also must mention that the landlord is a farmer with two dogs, and needless to say, he's out in the grounds Evening and late at night - far more than me, and the dogs are always out running around and setting the lights off, and whilst I may use them once a day for going out to the car, the farmer and his staff are using them for hours at a time.

We aren't just talking about some porce lights, these are 4x 500W halogen floodlights and now its going dark at 5PM, they are on for hours at a time!.

I'm on Pre-Pay and these lights are virtually trebling my daily consumption!

This is fair or legal?. Nothing is mentioned on the agreement.

mustrum_ridcully

Taking the pee a bit really, especially as you're on a prepayment meter. To be honest in situations like this I can't help but wonder what else the LL is taking liberties with.

Does the security light have it's own circuit breaker? If so put it in the off position (switching it on only when you're out and likely to come back when it's dark) and re-negotiate with the LL. However, don't be surprised if LL stomps their feet and threatens you with a S21 notice.

G_M

As you are paying for the elsectricity it should be up to you if, and when, it gets used.

So 1st check if there is a control switch, and just turn it off. Near the meter there should be a fuse box or RCD. If modern, there'll be a main trip switch, and individual ones for each circuit. Flick off the relevant RCD. If old fashioned, there may be fuse cartridges - just remove the relevant cartridge.

Alternative approach (or possibly the approach once the LL complains about the lack of lighting) is to discuss a new arrangement. Suggest that if he wants the lighting, he pay a % or fixed amount towards your electricity bill.

Or write to him suggesting this, and advise him that if he doesn't then you will switch off the lights.

But the key here is finding out how to isolate the lights. You could even consider getting an electrician to install a switch if there isn't one.

dancingfairy

What sort of contract are you on? are you in a fixed contract or periodic? Obviously if you are in a fixed contract that is one thing but if not and you annoy the landlord you could be served with notice. Work out your legal position and think carefully before proceeding.
Whether the electric bill is worth the hassle and additional cost of having to move or not is important.
Fair for you to pay it all?- no, but like I said it depends on your legal position, how much you like the property and how much you can get the landlord to compromise.
df

poppysarah

I'd see if it's on a sep rcd switch. Wouldn't be happy about that at all.

chris1973

Yes, it does extract a lot of urine, especially as the building the Annexe is part of is probably worth £1 million+ and the landlord is a retired local businessman. Its not like he can't afford to run his own damn floodlights.

Ironically, i've stopped using the 2KW convector heater in the flat during the evenings because I can't afford to run it, whilst at the same time i'm footing the bill for the similar load of Floodlights, which ran last night for at least 5 hours solid!. At nearly 19p per KW/H its costing me the best part of 40p per night to light up his yard, whilst I sit in the cold. Says an awful lot about people I guess.

The lights are fed off my 30A ring main in an old black wylex distribution board, so if I pulled the fuse, i'd lose the sockets in the flat. Its just a 3 core cable leading from the 30A fuse to a box on the wall which says 'intelligent floodlight controller'. I can't actually get to the control box or the switch on it as its in the LL garage which is locked, but I can see it through the window, and follow the wire visually to where it comes through his garage wall down to my fusebox. There are then around 6 PIR's fed into it, which are located around the building and stables, as well as a manual waterproof switch in our shared patio area. We aren't just talking about a porch light with energy saving bulbs, this is 2000 watts of floodlights - the same as a 2KW fan heater.

I guess this probably clears up the mystery of why, went I went away for a few weeks in the Summer, the fusebox to my flat had been mysteriously switched back on upon my return, i'm sure he missed his free lights!

I hit my minimum rental term this week, so i'm free to find somewhere else and move on, which is probably what i'm going to do, purely on principle. Its a shame as its an ideal location, with no noise / neighbours / problems etc, but it simply costs too much heat (storage heaters) during the winter, and I certainly can't afford to subsidise a Millionaires' floodlights during the coming dark nights.

G_M

I would discuss this further with the LL. Make clear you are not happy with the arrangement. He may modify his position. Other options:

* plug in your heater, get toasty warm, then pull the fuse disabling the lights and your sockets.
* pull the fuse disabling the lights and your sockets each night when you go to bed.
* pull the fuse disabling the lights and your sockets each day as you leave for work
* change the barrel of the lock to your door (£5). Keep the old one to replace when you leave. I'd be very unhappy about the landlord coming into my home in my absence! (and if he wants his lights back on he should ask!)
* get an electrician friend to install a switch by the "box on the wall which says 'intelligent floodlight controller'"

Doing any of these will soon have the LL talking to you about a compromise so you won't have to continue indefinately!

missile

Is this fuse box inside the property? LL is not entitled to come in without your agreement.

I would switch off the fuse and disconnect the feed to those lights. If he reconnected I would stop paying rent. Let him issue a s21.

I would be looking for another property to rent.

cr1mson

As a short term measure replace the bulbs with lower wattages. You can get energy saving ones now I believe as well.

C

chris1973

Is this fuse box inside the property?

No, its in a enclosed meter box in his open carport. I have the key to it in the Annexe, but as all boxes are keyed alike, he can obviously open my box with his / another meterbox key - and he must have done to switch it back on whilst I was away.

I would switch off the fuse and disconnect the feed to those lights.

That would mean physically opening the fusebox and removing the wires. Given the age of the installation and 'unknown' condition of the wiring within I dont think it would be 100% safe to do this without first pulling the service fuse - which i'm not qualified or legally permitted to do. I do have a background and some experience in Electronics, but i'm not certain as a tenant I have any right to disconnect or modify wiring in the property i'm in. Pulling fuses and switching off main switches is one thing, opening fuseboxes with live incoming mains is another

As a short term measure replace the bulbs with lower wattages. You can get energy saving ones now I believe as well.

These lights are mounted at roof level on a large farm house where the LL also lives - one in each corner, two at the front and two at the back. I think the LL might ask questions when I appear up on a ladder at his bedroom window!.

G_M

Then it looks like you have two options:
* talk to him and reach a compromise
* give notice and leave

Check out alternative property options before talking so that if he is intransigent you are already ahead of the game.

ps - if you DO leave, and you meet any prospective tenants he shows round, make sure you point out what they are getting into!

pps - is he up to any other didgy things? Has he a mortgage with permission to rent? Does he declare the rent for tax (you can tell HMRC here if you leave and feel p*ssed off!).