Repair or replace outside light.

KxMx

Appreciate the advice! 

I only signed tenancy a week ago & it's never worked.

I'm not sure what the exact model is, I'll see when I take more photos if there is a tiny model number anywhere. 

I'm happy enough with a switch operated light rather than a sensor.

My housing officer is back next week so I will see if she knows whose responsibility is. 

If it is as I suspect my responsibility I'll have to submit a form for permission before finding an electrician. 
It's a like for like alteration but involves electrics so best to ask beforehand. 

So with the longer nights approaching it's not an urgent task & can wait until after I've moved in. 

KxMx

More photos as promised:
De

KxMx

Definitely an LED so no bulb to change. Now to find out whose responsibility it is.

Bendy_House

Of course, you don't yet know if it's the light wot's failed, or the wiring...

KxMx

Well colour me embarrassed... Hadn't contacted housing officer yet because so many other things needed my attention. 

However, discovered by accident that the light does work, and is triggered by motion & not the switch as I thought.

I was most surprised at it clicking on this morning. 

Mystery solved! 

Section62

KxMx said:

However, discovered by accident that the light does work, and is triggered by motion & not the switch as I thought.

Thanks for the update, glad to hear you got it sorted.  Yes, the translucent 'dome' on the bottom of the unit is probably the sensor - it might be worth giving it a very gentle clean with damp kitchen roll as the dirt may impair the sensitivity. The plastic is often very brittle, so use the absolute minimum of pressure.

greensalad

Bendy_House said:

What's an LL expected to do - go around the property before the new tenant arrives and remove everything that wasn't there before?

Yes? If a LL chooses to leave an item fitted, then they should make sure to note in the tenancy agreement that it won't be repaired (I had this previously in a student house where my contract stipulated that "furnishing" did not extend to include the television, which a previous tenant had left, but was obviously welcomed by us as we didn't have one).

If I rent a space then I expect the things I see in that space to be kept in good repair. An ingoing tenant has no idea that a light fixture was fitted by a previous tenant and the landlord has decided not to assume responsibility for it. Imagine renting a place with an oven that was left by the previous tenant and then it breaks and you're told "oh well that wasn't mine anyway". 

fenwick458

greensalad said: Imagine renting a place with an oven that was left by the previous tenant and then it breaks and you're told "oh well that wasn't mine anyway". 

Everything should be covered when the new tenant walks round and reads the inventory list and see's what is (or what isn't) supplied and maintained by the landlord. I do all those for my rental properties, and I think it's in the governments "how to rent guide" which all tenants are given and should read.
If a tenant has fitted something to one of my houses and moved out and left it, If it's going to be of use to anyone and it's safe I'll leave it there but not list it in the inventory, and tell the new tenant "this is not mine I am not responsible for maintaining it" and I think thats the best way to do it.
I worked for a housing association many years ago and there method was to just rip out whatever wasn't on the spec at every changeover, even if it was 1) perfectly serviceable and 2)almost new and 3)very useful which just seems wasteful

KxMx

When you rent from the council there is no check in inventory.
You view the property, have a short time to say yes or no then sign a few days later.
There are certain things they are responsible for, covered in the tenancy handbook, and things they aren't responsible for.

Where I currently live, we installed with permission an outside light. The next tenants would be responsible for any repairs to said light and not the council. It is not a council fitting and the council do not provide/maintain outside lighting unless in a communal area.
Should the light that I now have discovered works, become faulty, I would need to seek clarification as to whose responsibility it is to maintain and repair.

In my new flat, the previous tenant had a pelmet as there is a thin board across the top of the window recess. It is now my responsibility to either have it taken off & tidy up the decor, or keep it as it. Nothing to do with my landlord.

Council rentals do differ from private rentals which some posters may not be aware of.