Repair or replace outside light.

KxMx

I recently signed a tenancy and the outside light doesn't work. Generally these are the tenant's responsibility, hence my post.

It is hard wired with a switch inside the property.

I popped the lid off and there is no obvious bulb or element to change (pictured).
Taking off the inner lid just revealed wiring (not pictured).

Before I buy a new light and find an electrician, I wanted to consult more knowledgeable people here.
The outside light where I currently live takes a standard bulb so my experience with these things is narrow.

Section62

KxMx said:

I recently signed a tenancy and the outside light doesn't work. Generally these are the tenant's responsibility, hence my post.

If there is no bulb/lamp to replace then I would have said it is the landlord's responsibility to get the whole luminaire (fitting) replaced.

What does the TA say?

jbainbridge

Agree .. I would have thought this would be the landlord's responsibility?

casper_gutman

Tenants being responsible for changing light bulbs is the classic example of "tenant-like behaviour" expected of them.

I don't know that it's been tested in court, but I definitely would not expect replacing a failed luminaire which doesn't contain a removable bulb to come in the same category.

Many householders would employ an electrician for such a task. As a landlord I would expect to pay for this.

KxMx

It is a council tenancy, generally the council do not provide outside lighting and it's down to the tenants to install/maintain/repair if they want one. 
The fitting is outside my individual flat so not in a communal area. 
It is leftover from the previous tenant and now my responsibility. 

So opinion is leaning towards the fitting not having a removable light source? 

FaceHead

KxMx said:

So opinion is leaning towards the fitting not having a removable light source? 

Yes - very common in outside lights these days as it's easier (cheaper) to make a light waterproof if it doesn't have a replaceable bulb, even if it might be a long term false economy. 

Agree that it's the landlord's responsibility. They could go with, it's not part of the property so I'm not replacing it/am removing it. You'd then be in a fight of 'well it certainly looks like it's part of the property like any other provided furnishing'.

Hopefully there is an accessible junction box or similar inside where the light is hardwired into the mains. If it's been plastered over or something, then replacing it will be a right pain.   

KxMx

I've checked my tenancy agreement, LL responsible for lighting in communal areas (doesn't apply) and not responsible for maintaining tenant installed fixtures and fittings. 

There is trunking from the outside light fitting to the internal switch, obviously I wouldn't do the work myself but get a certified professional. 

However I've taken all the opinions on board, and will contact my housing officer in due course to confirm whether or not it falls under my responsibility. 

Bendy_House

As folk have intimated, if a 'bulb' had blown, then the tenant would be expected to sort it. If the wiring had failed, then it's the LL's responsibility.

This one would appear to be neither! This light was fitted by a previous tenant? What's an LL expected to do - go around the property before the new tenant arrives and remove everything that wasn't there before? Take over responsibility for ex-tenant fitted items?

I suspect, therefore, that this is down to Kx; Mx doesn't NEED this light, they can just leave it broken. Or, if Kx DOES need this light, then they can get it fixed.

Can you show us what it looks like with the cover on, Kx? If it's a readily available fitting, then a swap should be pretty straight-forward. PROVIDED you are clued-up about leccy and what it can do to you if you are careless...

Do folk reckon it's an LED type fitting?

Do you have a mains tester, Mx?

KxMx

I will take more photos tomorrow.
I do need an outside light but certainly won't be attempting to do it myself, as I am not competent when it comes to electrical work. I don't have a mains tester.
As to previous fittings and the LL removing them- the previous tenant had a gas fire which was ripped out by LL, but the strange wooden board in the lounge (which I think was a pelmet cover) has been left and painted over.

I was always intending to have one installed so it's no big deal if it does fall under my responsibility. I expected it to be and it's only seeing so many opinions to the contrary, which has made me think it's worthwhile contacting my housing officer when she is back next week.

FreeBear

KxMx said: As to previous fittings and the LL removing them- the previous tenant had a gas fire which was ripped out by LL

It could be the fire had been condemned during the last gas safety inspection and the LL decided it was cheaper to remove rather than repair/replace.

Bendy_House

KxMx said:

I will take more photos tomorrow.
I do need an outside light but certainly won't be attempting to do it myself, as I am not competent when it comes to electrical work. I don't have a mains tester.
As to previous fittings and the LL removing them- the previous tenant had a gas fire which was ripped out by LL, but the strange wooden board in the lounge (which I think was a pelmet cover) has been left and painted over.

I was always intending to have one installed so it's no big deal if it does fall under my responsibility. I expected it to be and it's only seeing so many opinions to the contrary, which has made me think it's worthwhile contacting my housing officer when she is back next week.

Cool. This will be a simple job for a sparky.

Looking at your fitting, I suspect there's a mains transformer in the casing behind that plate, and only a very low voltage feed comes to the front lamp for the LEDs. Suspect...

There will almost certainly be a mains supply to the actual fitting, so pretty much any light will go there. Give that some thought - do you want the exact same model so's it a bit easier to fit? Or would PIR be a good option? Was that one too bright or not bright enough? Was the angle of light ok, or did it 'blind'?