Lights in my flat have died - Do I go to letting agent or Landlord

BigCraigJohn

And what is there obligation?

Just come in from a day out, flicked the switch in the lounge and the lights have gone out along with the rest of the flat but the electricity is on.
Checked the switches and they are ok in the fuze box.
I gather that we are not responsible for getting an electrician out, I just wondered do I for the agents or the landlord?
And what should I expect?, ie will it be treated as an emergency or will they just get an appointment, I imagine somewhere there is some sort of insurance in place.

olly300

Have you tried changing the light bulbs to new ones? Do that first.

If that doesn't work then contact the landlord.

However the landlord won't be thrilled if you haven't attempted to change the light bulbs first.

BigCraigJohn

I hadnt actually because its every single room, I will try 1 though.

ReadingTim

Check all the circuit breakers in the consumer unit - if it's anything like mine all the lights are on one circuit and when a bulb blows it can sometimes trip all the lights, but nothing else. Reset any tripped circuits and try the lights again. Replace any blown bulbs and bob's your uncle!

BigCraigJohn

Im gonna have a look in the morning I think, not a lot I can do now.
If still nothing i'll have to get onto the agents and take it from there.

sharpee

Did you try replacing the lightbulbs first?

Like others have said do this first as a blown light bulb can cause the lighting circuit to trip until the bulb is replaced.

As a LL I wouldn't be thrilled to be asked to call out an electrician just to replace a lightbulb and would probably pass the cost onto the Tenanat.

agrinnall

Does nobody actually read what the OP wrote?

BigCraigJohn wrote: »

Checked the switches and they are ok in the fuze box.

Yes, try replacing a light bulb and if it works that's good, but it sounds to me like a more complex issue. If the LA manages repair and maintenance for the property then you should contact them first, but untimately it is the LL's responsibility, so if the LA doesn't fix the problem quickly then get on to the LL. If the LL fails to do anything then I believe Shelter have information on making urgent repairs yourself and witholding the cost of that from the rent.

G_M

I'd be very surprised if the lights have all failed but there is no blown fuse/tripped switch in the fuse box. Is it a modern box? With multiple trips? Or an old fashioned one with fuse wire/cartridges?

If there's an agent 'managing' the property, that's who you call initially. If no response, then call the landlord and follow up in writing.

If it IS just a blown bulb or tripped switch, expect to be charged the electrician's call out fee!

BigCraigJohn

Right, the local agent just came round, did all the same as I did and agreed it needed specialist attention and called it in.
Something we have noticed which the agent agreed seemed dodgy is that the shower seemed to be wired to the same switch as the lighting, given the shower is a pretty heavy load we both agreed it should surely have its own fuse. Incidentally the shower is working fine. Maybe a cut corner when the flat was wired in the late 80s.
Just waiting on a call now from the landlord, my uncle who is a mutual friend and a very experienced electrician has said he's happy to come and fix it but i'll let the landlord deal with that.
Dont really fancy christmas in the dark.
Typical that these things dont happen in the middle of summer when the lights are only on for a couple of hours, I dont think it got light today.

G_M it looks like somewhere in the middle, there is 3 switches and several fuses but they are not normal fuses, shorter and fatter than any ive seen. Anyway give that the shower is working I dont think thats it.

Out of my hands now anyway, if its something silly they can bill the agent.

clutton_2

having a shower on the same circuit as the lights sounds MOST odd to me... what size fuse is there on that circuit ?

G_M

Do you mean like these cartridge fuses here? They'll be like the ones you find in a plug, but fatter. Could well have have blown - you can't tell by looking.

Yes, shower should be on separate circuit, but that doesn't sound like the problem here.

As the agent has been out and the LL is dealing, don't get involved. Just let LL sort the problem.