My tenant said the bathroom light fitting broke whilst he was changing the bulb. Who pays to replace and install a new one?
What is your relationship with the tenant like? Every single one of my tenants would admit liability, send me an email apologising and ask what they should do. I would fit a new one and they’d pay me for it.
But that might not be what your tenants are like so knowing that would help advise you.
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He is a good tenant and has been with me for over 5 yrs. he did admit that it broke whilst he was changing the bulb. Just not sure what to do.
This being an electrical luminaire in a special zone within a bathroom, it must be removed and a new one fitted properly by a knowledgeable person with due regard to earthing, class of earthing ( 2) and correct IP rating for a bathroom. This means a qualified electrician or a handiman at least used to replacing such light fittings I would suggest. You or they can supply the replacement light/ luminaire.
Either way the tenant should re-imberse you for the labour and materials needed.
Sometimes, I find that the tenant has over egged the description of the damage and its merely come loose from the ceiling and needs better/ longer screws to secure. Ask for a photo across email to clarify whats gone on if a personal visit is not convenient.
A long term happy tenant is a valuable asset and 5 years of rent collection with this perhaps being the first small issue should influence your approach?
And welcome back Karen1 !
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Personally I would not argue. You could say it was his fault, he could say you’d fitted low quality fitting so you should pay.
Just replace fitting at your cost & move on.
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Get tenant to take photo/video and explain.
Might be they broke the cover when trying to remove (if you dont twist the right way or if its been painted over or was fitted wrongly on the thread or just its old and brittle plastic) in which case might be possible to get replacement cover
Does it still work as a light - if not get replaced.
A basic new bathroom light fitting should be no more than 50 quid plus cost of electrician to fit it maybe 70-100 quid as its a simple job
Maybe ask tenant to pay the cost and see what they say? If they complain it was old /brittle and would have broken anyway, maybe ask for half as a compromise. Remember you can claim as a landlord expense in your tax return as well.
For a good tenant small extra costs are worthwhile to keep them happy so not worth a lot of arguing over tho
Good luck
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Agreed. If the damage is accidental then I take it on the chin and fix at my own expense.
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Definitely don’t do this… on a bathroom fitting… or any electrical fitting in my opinion. Why bodge electrics, especially in a damp bathroom.
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Light fittings can become very brittle with the constant heat and can just fall apart when changing a bulb. Have had it happen a few times personally, I certainly wasn’t being heavy handed.
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Thats fair enough.
Another option might be to purchase a replacement cover from the light fitting manufacturer. The point I’m making is we dont know what’s broken exactly and if its an easy (and safe) fix. If it’s longer screws to fix more securely to the ceiling/joists if its become a bit loose you might not need to do anything else…
Generally given costs of these things it’ll likely be easier to replace with new but does depend what the fault is..
Best
I think maybe we just have totally different ways at looking at the world.
The poster asked who pays to replace? I answered simply that I would pay, but you go into an essay of advice about how you might fix, how much a new one costs, even proving a link to some random new fitting, and or getting a sparky in to test it, or providing a new fitting for the tenant to fit, to save the tenant £'s.(I’d never dream of suggesting a tenant do electrical work in my property, especially in a bathroom, where I even suspect that is not allowed… sure a sparky has to do bathroom, & outside work, but I might be wrong on that).
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Clearly, the poster is NOT bothered ! 
as no follow up reply. So rude !
Well maybe. I was just pointing out we dont know what the ‘fault’ I s - if a broken cover maybe easily replaced. If coming loose and a longer screw to fix securely into a ceiling i might do myself after turning everything off at fusebox. But actual electrical work yes of course needs a proper sparky and a replacement fitting will be inexpensive- which is what i said (at too much length i admit)
Think the amount does matter - if a tenant broke an expensive fitting I’d be more likely to ask them to pay for or at least contribute to the replacement or repairs
Best
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Get down there immediately and fit a new light fitting at your expense.
Modern light fitting are notoriously cheaply manufactured and some are also quite difficult to get at the bulb without accidental damage. Did you leave them the fittings access instructions?
It would be a different matter if the tenant had purposely abused it, otherwise stop mithering. I can’t believe this is a serious post…
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Firstly you dont have to use a part p qualified electrician if you are replacing like for like.
Personally i wouldnt want a tenant replacing it so i would fit a new unit. You could ask them if they are happy to just pay for the replacement unit but if not dont make a big fuss and come deposit time you could add it in then or just leave it.
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If he’s a good tenant, why not just buy a similar light fitting and get your electrician to fix it at your cost ? That way you keep a good relationship with your tenant and you’ll know that the work has been done safely.
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Thanks everyone for your mixed replies. All replaced by a qualified electrician at my expense!
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