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We have recently vacated a rental property in Sydney. The agent reported the end of lease inspection went really well and everything was clean and in good condition. She said the landlord wanted us to replace a lightbulb or she would get an electrician to do it and charge it to our bond. We went and changed the lightbulb – though it was flickering and the light fitting itself seemed faulty.
Now the landlord says she has got an electrician to replace the lightbulb and it was our fault as we put in the wrong light bulb… She wants to charge us $160
Any thoughts?
I did speak to Department of Fair Trading – they told me lightbulbs are not in the legislation and cannot be taken out of the bond.
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https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/19149b97b052c883be9dc6c0
Fanti v Hargraves [2024] NSWCATCD 15
Landlord claimed bulb replacement in that case.
Landlord got compensated $5.83 for a lightbulb.
(And also 3 heat lamp bulb for$31.19)Bulbs were fair game in this case.
To have an electrician come out and do it is just burning the tenant.If you end up at the tribunal, what is important is the fact that the end of lease condition report was signed off by the agent without listing a problem with the light fitting.
Objectively it is clear that a problem may or may not have arisen after the end of lease inspection. That is, the landlord is trying one on you.
I suggest you do nothing other than refer him to the above mentioned condition report.
I can’t see him able to justify to Fair Trading or the Tribunal your liability after you were cleared of liability via the condition report.
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