land lord wants me to replace all light bulbs?

She's probably concerned about the energy smart bulbs containing mercury. If I were you, and I bet you already did it, was replace all the light bulbs. Carefully wrap the energy ones and use them at your new place. Its really nothing worth arguing about it, just make sure you took pictures of the place before you left that way she cant say that something is wrong. Also make sure she does put it in writing that you replaced all the bulbs and there is nothing else wrong with the apartment. That way you get all your deposit back.

I think her only complaint would be if the Energy Smart bulbs were dimmer than standard bulbs or were the noisy, ugly white light type. I wouldn't change the bulbs since you've actually made an upgrade.

She is just nit-picking you and may even be upset that she can't charge your deposit for her outrageous cleaning fees. Take plenty of pictures and be prepared to contest anything she charges you for in writing. It sounds like she could either be incompetent or just trying to intimidate you. Stand firm and let her know that you will contest any unreasonable charges in small claims court.

Your landlord is being nitpicky and ridiculous. So save all those nice expensive energy-efficient bulbs for your new place, and give her the cheapest bulbs WalMart has as long as they are the "ordinary" ones she wants.

Make sure she signs off everything on the checklist, and get your deposit back! The dollar or two you spend at Walmart is a small price to pay to get back your deposit, get a good reference for future rentals, etc.

no she is not. These bulbs are dimmer than standard bulbs. She needs to show the space in the best possible light. Plus your bulbs cost more take them with you. You are talking just a few bucks to get your deposit back and you get to keep your bulbs. Pack them up and put them in your new home

Don't know where you live, but California may well BAN THE SALE of "standard" incandescent bulbs by 2012. Your smart bulbs will last at least until then!

Be absolutely sure upon move-out that you have, in writing, her agreement that you left the apartment in good condition and no monies are owed to her out of your security deposit.

You did a good thing putting in the energy-saving bulbs and you spent your own money to do so.

Your landlord is being nit-picky and I would be wary of her.

Use a potato, cram it into the socket and then turn it as you would when taking out a regular bulb.

He's afraid of the cost and liability of the new bulbs. Here's the amazing information from the EPA web site:

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How should I clean up a broken fluorescent bulb?

Because CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:

1. Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room

• Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.

• Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.

• Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

2. Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

• Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.

• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass pieces and powder.

• Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.

• Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

3. Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug:

• Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.

• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.

• If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.

• Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

4. Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding, etc.:

• If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.

• You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.

• If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

5. Disposal of Clean-up Materials

• Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.

• Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.

• Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

6. Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming

• The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.

• Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

I would be FURIOUS if I were you. Check your lease/contract, if there is nothing in there about it she's BEAT. Use the energy smart ones, they are brighter and cost less. Stick it to the man. Just make sure you get rent in on time after that ;-)

It's stupid- but alot of people HATE the curly light bulbs (myself included). But if your deposit depends on it I would do it- not worth fighting over.