Electrical

New fire-rated downlights in bathrooms - regulations for existing vs replacement

Anonymous user 23/02/2024 - 2.57 PM

Hi, I have a situation where my neighbour's bathroom is directly over mine with only joists and rhinoboard skimmed & painted ceiling between us. I have for the past 7 years had ordinary recessed sealed downlights in my bathroom ceiling. Recently (about a month ago) and for the third time, she flooded her bath. The third time, it literally rained water from my ceiling and through the downlights, causing two downlights to shift and one lamp to pop out with loose wiring. 1. What type of damage to the fittings can this cause - or is it a matter of simply replacing with new lamps. How can I enforce her to get an electrician's report 2. My question relates to the new regulations. As a home-owner/landlord (property is rented), am I automatically responsible for replacing existing downlights to comply with new 2014 regs, or does this only pertain to renovations, retrofits or replacements? ie. if there was no damage to the ceiling, would my existing downlights be okay? The neighbour thinks that it should be at my cost to replace the fittings and lamps to comply with new regs, as I would be liable for this anyway. Whereas my logic says that since two are damaged, and i can no longer refit non-compliant parts (or can I refit what was there before?), she must pay for replacement of all 4 - and larger cut outs are now necessary I would assume she is accountable for the following: calling out an electrician to write a report and assess whether just the lamps need replacing OR rewiring. replacing all 4 downlights with the new fire-rated ones as per new regulations redecoration to the ceiling Is this a case for insurance assessor or should I call out an electrician - it will be difficult to get her to reimburse me. Thank you.