Changing out chandelier in rental

Yes, ridiculously easy. A 7-year-old with access to circuit breakers can do it. You might have some unpainted ceiling showing, though.

I like brass Indian filigree type lanterns; otherwise I wouldn't be able to bear what you're probably describing. Especially if it has perma-polished (polyurethaned) brass. Ugh.

Do not let your child do it. Alan, I bet some people would take you up on it.

KStiles, Changng the lights in a rental is always a good idea. Different fixtures can do a world of good and yes you can change them yourself

Question: When you're changing these fixtures, is it enough to just shut the switch OFF or must you shut off at the circuit breaker? Me, I make sure the whole block is shut off before I begin.

Depending on how the hot/neutral is wired, you could become the switch if you don't shut down the breaker first. And even if you shut off at the breaker AND the switch, pretend everything's live as you work.

Knowledge is knowing the street is one way.
Wisdom is looking both ways anyway.

:)

goddamned delivery bikes

While I'm sympathetic to the view that you should pretend that everything is live as you work, I prefer to measure to determine if the power is actually off or remains on: http://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-GT-11-Non-Contact-Voltage-Detector/dp/B000FCINXE