Landlord not allowing access after check out so we can change light bulbs!

Marktheshark

Guest101 wrote: »

How is it a con? You failed to replace the lightbulbs. Take some ownership of your mistake

The cost seems reasonable

Would you pay someone £25 to change your lightbulb ?

Cakeguts

I know I am going to regret asking this question but here goes. How can you forget 3 light bulbs have you been sitting in the dark? I though that most people replaced a light bulb when it went out so that they could see. Would these particular light bulbs be special low energy and more expensive than normal to replace?

pinkshoes

Does the check in inventory state that they were working?

G_M

My sympathy here was initially with the landlord. If he has to employ someone (a contractor whatever) to replace the light bulbs it will cost him more than the cost of the bulbs.

He is also within his rights not to allow access post tenancy. I'm sure you'd just collect the keys, pop in, change the bulbs, pop out and return the keys - but sadly there are dodgy tenants (as well as dodgy LLs!) who might take the opportunity to 'borrow' some other items (post check-out report!); or stay the night/week/month or whatever.

The alternative is to get his agent/contractor to accompany you which defeats the object of the excercise as that person's time costs money too.

However, you later said:

when we moved in we had to replace a lot and notified them of that

and that changes things.

You have to leave the place as you found it. If there were lightbulbs missing when you moved in you can leave with missing lightbulbs.

That is your defence to a claim on your deposit.

Marvel1

Cakeguts wrote: »

I know I am going to regret asking this question but here goes. How can you forget 3 light bulbs have you been sitting in the dark?

I do, never changed a lighbulb since living here 9 years ago, I tihnk I have about 3 bulbs that need changing but I don't need them. My TV provides enough light.

Guest101

Marktheshark wrote: »

Would you pay someone £25 to change your lightbulb ?

No but the LL could live many miles away, and therefore travel time and expenses come into it.

A maintenance call out would be atleast £50 + costs

Guest101

ng1412 wrote: »

Oh dear! Take ownership! It's 3 light bulbs!

But yes I guess it was silly of me to think like a reasonable human being and expect her to allow me to walk 2mins from my new house with 3 bulbs and change them and give them the keys back.

A reasonable human being would've changed them before moving out...

dekaspace

Sorry to butt in, but I was thinking I am about to hand in notice for my place, the inventory said there was bulbs in every room when in fact there was just one in kitchen and one in bathroom and rest were mine (no deposit on property though) I didn't know when I move to just take them with me (or just buy cheapest possible ones i.e 2 for £1) and use them as the ones I use cost a bit more as I don't like energy saving.

G_M

dekaspace wrote: »

.......the inventory said there was bulbs in every room when in fact there was just one in kitchen and one in bathroom a........

the time to challenge this and get the inventory amended was at the start.

Since "the inventory said there was bulbs in every room" you'll need to leave bulbs in every room when you leave.

That's the whole point of inventories at the start!

Riggyman

Listen to GM's advice, as ever...