How do I remove a light switch that I no longer need?

Question

I live in an apartment complex where my place is on the top floor. The last set of stairs only lead to my place, and there is a light switch for those stairs both right outside my door and on the stairway landing a floor below. Some people who live before sometimes turn 'my' stairway lights off, leaving me blind and in the dark to go down the stairs (there are no windows in my section of stairway). The landlord said I could disable that light switch so that only my switch outside my door will work, so I'm wondering how to safely do that...or if I'm better off just duct taping the one that i don't want used in the 'on' position. There are many many tenants so telling them all of this problem is not an option. Thanks!!

Answer 1

You will need to cut power to this switch. Then, unscrew the plate take out the switch and disconnect the wires. Cap the wires and put the switch back in and you will have a dead switch. You will also need to disconnect the common on the switch you will be keeping active because it is a 3-way switch. That's how both operate one light.

Answer 2

The switches in the stairwell should be 3 way (  or more ) and You should be able to switch from either end. I would strongly suggest that the landlord hire someone qualified to repair the problem!

Answer 3

u use a ax or a hammer!!! what else...:D

Answer 4

Well duct tapeing would be the easiest. But taking it out is also no big deal. Its a 3 way right (1 light can be switched by 2 switches) If so then:: When you remove the switch you will have to twist and cap the power supply lead to one of the travelers and cap(with a red twisty)  the other one.The only problem I see is that you may leave with the light off and come back in the dark and not have a switch at the bottom of the stairs.

Answer 5

Well, first answerer has answered this.  But if there are two switches, up and down the stairs, how can you be left in the dark?