Tenant Complaint about Light - What Is Reasonable?

lisss on 30/01/2015 - 18:35
Last edited 30/01/2015 - 18:35

My friend has moved into a newly rented apartment and has raised a list of complaints with the agent. Most of them I think are reasonable, but I want to know what others think about this one - he says one of the light fittings is too low, and he bumps his head on it so is demanding that the fitting is changed (will require an electrician).

If I was the owner of the property, I'd probably be a bit annoyed at the request, the previous tenants didn't complain and I don't think it's that hard to avoid walking into a light. Do you think the tenant is being unreasonable, or does the landlord have an obligation to change it for safety reasons?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • shadowarrior on 30/01/2015 - 18:41
    +2

    The tenant inspected the property before signing the rental contract. At signing the rental contract he agreed to get the property as is…. apart from maintenance. So no new modifications etc was put on his special conditions from him. If he didn't think it was a problem then or didn't notice it then, then too bad. If the noticed it, why did he sign the rental contract?

    He is free to terminate the contract, bear the costs from that action, and find a property which suits his need better.

    • lisss on 30/01/2015 - 18:44

      Good point, unless he can argue that it's a safety issue.

      The other issues he has raised are maintenance related such as the oven door not closing, blinds being broken, air conditioning not working properly etc.

      Totally agree that he should have noticed this stuff (including maintenance related) when he inspected the property before he signed the lease agreement and been aware that he would need to let people in to have it fixed.

      • shadowarrior on 30/01/2015 - 18:57

        Rest of them are fine and should also be included in Property Condition Report which he should have submitted within 24-48 hours of moving into the property.
        And ask him to take pictures and keep them for any problems noted in Property Condition report. This will come handy when vacating premises.

        If the light fitting is in a position where it hinders normal daily activity, then yeah raise it. Provided your friend isn't 7feet 2 or something. Because then it doesn't count in towards normal use, but rather special condition. :|

  • toomuchdogfur on 30/01/2015 - 19:15

    What kind of light fitting is this? Ceiling or wall lamp, how high from the ground?

    • lisss on 30/01/2015 - 19:23

      From the ceiling, not sure exactly how high but he's 6"1 and walks into it.

  • fersea on 30/01/2015 - 20:56

    I don't think it is reasonable. I would be surprised if he is running into it at 6.1 unless it is in a position where one would reasonably have something under it, say in the middle of a dining room or bedroom.

  • scatman00 on 30/01/2015 - 23:06
    +2

    Should the landlord be responsible to widen the doorway if i am too fat?

    You can't expect a landlord to move a light fitting, because it's inconvenient, if it was that way when it was inspected.

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 31/01/2015 - 01:16

    Are you sure an electrician would be required to raise it? It sounds to me like it's been lowered to an unusually low level (perhaps by the previous tenant, or at their request). Raising it up again may simply be a matter of adjusting some mechanism in the ceiling-space. I'm not suggesting that he should go poking around at the electrical works in the ceiling, I'm just saying maybe an electrician is not required to raise it; it may not involve any actual re-wiring.

    • lisss on 03/02/2015 - 17:38

      Possibly, if you actually climbed into the ceiling you might be able to pull the cord up from inside.

  • anna10 on 01/02/2015 - 07:15
    +1

    Is the light fitting over where a dining table might be? Some people lower them to create an intimate dining experience.

    • lisss on 03/02/2015 - 17:37

      Good point, that's probably why it's low.

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