Rented Cottage - Water On Light Fittings

20RA14

Hi,

I've been renting a cottage (around 200 years old) for around 4 months now. We were told that it previously had condensation problems, especially over the winter months. We've done everything we can to minimise this happening again including running the dehumidifier (that was provided) and airing out the house whenever possible (less inclined to do this over winter). Despite this, mould is growing rapidly in the bathroom (had no window just a small extractor fan) and more worryingly water droplets have formed on the metal casing of the spotlights in the upstairs corridor. Over the course of three weeks this has caused the three spotlight to fail one by one, the final one giving off a strong yellow light before it went.

My landlord has suggested that I try changing the bulbs and thinks because they were last changed all together then they should fail around the same time as each other. I am hesitant to touch/mess with a light fitting that has water droplets on it and rust forming. What should I do/what is the landlords responsibility?

Thanks

squeekswhenwalking

I'd suggest it is the landlords responsibility. If the property has such an inerrant damp problem. You appear to be doing what you can to prevent condensation.

penguine

I think you're right to be worried. Light fittings in bathrooms have to be to a certain standard because of the risk of water getting into them, so if water is getting into other light fittings because of condensation in the house then like you I would be concerned that this could be dangerous. I would suggest contacting your local council's environmental health department for advice.

Pennylane

get in touch with the landlord and get him to do something about it urgently. It's unhealthy. Maybe he needs to get double glazing, better insulation, more effective heating system. It's not right but it's his problem. He needs someone to put a damp monitor on it for a start.