Rented Cottage - Water On Light Fittings (x/post DIY)

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

princeofpounds

bulbs are your responsibility.

just another substandard product from our great british landlords.

alas condensation damp is often blamed on your terrible tenant 'lifestyle factors'. horrible things like washing your body or even, god forbid, breathing.

rather than the terrible house design and construction that is the root cause of most cases (as long as you aren't drying clothes on the radiators!)

Edit to add: But SAFETY is your landlord's reponsibility, as long as you are not negligent.

anselld

If you are worried, turn the electric off at the consumer unit before replacing the bulbs.

jjlandlord

I think that this may very well 'just' be condensation.

Clearly the air is damp.
There might not be good insulation in the loft/upstairs ceiling so the metal casing of the spotlights might be cold-ish causing condensation on it.

Regarding the bathroom:
Keep the door closed and run the dehumidifier inside the bathroom.
Remove and clean the mould with bleach as it appears, do not wait.

20RA14

I wouldn't really have an issue with changing the light bulbs if I didn't think they failed due to the water formed around them. If I thought it wouldn't happen again I'd change them myself. It just seems strange how they worked fine for 3 months then water appears around them and they all fail within three weeks.

princeofpounds

I think addressing the source of the water is what matters, not the cost of a few lightbulbs.

20RA14

I don't think the water is actually leaking from above. I believe since the water forms slowly as droplets on the metal (and not around the casing) that the cold metal is causing condensation to form (as "jjlandlord" said).

It really seems like a condensation issue. In other rooms, parts of the walls are literally wet to the touch and the dehumidifier provided is rated for a room of 15 m^2, where the downstairs is open plan (with no door to the stairs and landing), and it cannot cope.

20RA14

Since it is regarding the maintenance of the property, is the landlord responsible for providing more dehumidifiers (and the cost of running them)?