Changing a recessed LED light

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Changing a recessed LED light

dwknight

74 posts

Master Geek

#312839 22-May-2024 10:10

One of the recessed LEDs lights in the bathroom of the house I'm renting has started flickering quite badly. Back in the old days of traditional bulbs I'd be more than happy to go buy a replacement and swap it out myself, but I did some research and these recessed light seem to be a lot more complicated (not to mention a lot more expensive).

My questions are:

As a renter is it my responsibility to purchase and change these lights myself?
Is it even appropriate for a normal person to change these bulbs or does it require a certified electrician?
If it is my responsibility and I don't require an electrician, how do I find a matching light? I had a look at Bunnings already and they are all slightly different with no matches to what is currently in the house.

Thanks for any info!

trig42

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#3233379 22-May-2024 10:17

Assuming it's the whole unit that needs replacing, and not an LED halogen replacement, some of the recessed LEDs are just connected to a 3-pin socket in the ceiling (and they come with a 3 pin plug when you buy them).

The rest are just the two/three (if earth included) wires.

Getting them out of the ceiling is the hardest bit (they're clipped into the hole with a spring loaded clip usually) without making the hole bigger by accident.

dwknight

74 posts

Master Geek

#3233380 22-May-2024 10:18

How do you know if it's just a LED halogen replacement that's needed?

trig42

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#3233381 22-May-2024 10:20

Is it a sealed unit, or does it have a bulb you can remove?

dwknight

74 posts

Master Geek

#3233382 22-May-2024 10:21

I managed to get it out of the ceiling (yes it was a challenge!) and it looked pretty sealed to me. I assume that means the whole unit needs replacing, which is around $40.

trig42

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#3233386 22-May-2024 10:26

Yep, that'd be right, but you can get them a lot cheaper than that (depending on hole size):

Search - Bunnings New Zealand

I've used the cheap Mitre10 ones (Number8 brand I think) and they've been fine - they work out to about $12 each, but you gotta buy 4 at a time.

Insanekiwi

592 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3233388 22-May-2024 10:28

I personally think this should be the landlord's responsibility. This is more complex than just switching the bulb, and like you said - he or she may already have some spares or find a way to source the same light source. If I were the landlord - I would prefer to do it for my tenants. (1. to match the lights, 2. not to butcher the ceiling to get it out and replace, 3. if connections are not done properly, who takes the blame for fire risk etc)

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#3233389 22-May-2024 10:29

HPM brand? I ask because we have had 2 now fail prematurely after less than 2 years, same flicking. And I thought I was buying a premium brand..

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timmmay

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#3233390 22-May-2024 10:35

It is probably simplest to call your landlord for a chat about this.

dwknight

74 posts

Master Geek

#3233400 22-May-2024 10:37

Yep I've reached out to them now. Thanks for all the help everyone!

Danite

42 posts

Geek

#3233403 22-May-2024 10:43

Sounds like you made the right call. I’m an electrician and would have no issue changing this but if I was renting would still leave it up to the landlord. Any change to fixed wiring has a fire risk if done incorrectly and you could damage the roof removing the fitting.

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#3233404 22-May-2024 10:49

Danite: Sounds like you made the right call. I’m an electrician and would have no issue changing this but if I was renting would still leave it up to the landlord. Any change to fixed wiring has a fire risk if done incorrectly and you could damage the roof removing the fitting.

Pretty Sure that legally the Landlord needs to get an electrician to replace this,

-The "Own wiring" exemptions don't apply to places you don't live in in personally, and you can't use the exemption as you don't own the place..

SirHumphreyAppleby

2844 posts

Uber Geek

#3233412 22-May-2024 11:15

Just to confirm what other people have stated or suggested. This is the landlords responsibility and the replacement must be carried out by a registered electrician as the homeowner exemption does not apply.

Please, do not buy a light and arrange for an electrician yourself. Some of us won't install cheap rubbish and have electricians we prefer to use.

Jvipers2

213 posts

Master Geek

#3233524 22-May-2024 15:38

Bulb is tenant's responsibility. However, newer LED lights are usually bundled together making "changing the bulb" only near economically impossible and a whole new fitting is installed. So, most probably landlord's cost.

lachlanw

164 posts

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#3234296 24-May-2024 14:03

If I was the landlord I would want it done by a sparky rather than the tenant

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#3234310 24-May-2024 14:32

lachlanw:

If I was the landlord I would want it done by a sparky rather than the tenant

I suspect your insurance company would agree too.... :)