Landlord wants to do building work...

Adasta

Hi,

My landlord has informed me (and my housemates) by txt this evening that building work on a new conservatory will commence tomorrow morning. I don't think I need tell you how irritating this is.

We're students, and we agreed to let this house knowing that the landlord would be building a new bathroom. She said this would take a few weeks. It took 6 months. This new build is not part of our agreed deal and I really don't know what we can do about it. Can we ask for reduced rent? Does anyone have any advice from a legal standpoint?

I'm going to have a look for my contract, but I'm quite certain there isn't a clause which stipulates that she may start building work whenever she pleases.

Thanks for your help

m_13

I'd post on one of the Landlord and Tenant advice forums as they will probably reply faster and know more. Landlordzone's forum are very good.

I've had a quick look and the only post I can find that is similar is one where 5 students have suffered whilst their landlord has taken 6 months to refurbish a bathroom and they have asked for a rent deduction.

ifonlyitwaseasier

i'd have thought that they'd have to give you more notice than that

poppysarah

Speak to shelter on the phone.

Unacceptable imo.

R4D5

I think you pay your rent and you are entitled to 'quiet enjoyment' which can includes not having any visits or inspections unless there is an emergency like the house falling down or gas leak. If the garden forms part of your tenancy then how can you have quiet enjoyment of it. When you rented the place the size and style of the garden may have been a big selling point, do you want a conservatory instead?

I think that shared houses are supposed to have a shard communal space (if the rooms are let individually). If the conservatory is built will the lounge be changed into another bedroom so you get an extra tenant to share the bathroom queue with? The conservatory could become the communal space

Or you might get a nice conservatory put up in 2-3weeks to enjoy (and a rise in your rent?)

Consider that if you object the landlord might not continue the tenancy when the 6 months expires, but theres probably plenty of other pads out there

anotherpaul_2

We moved out of our last place because the landlord wanted to do more and more building work. She came to us on the day we moved in and said the neighbour was doing an extention and could she do hers at the same time, which would take about 14 weeks. We said no, but she kept coming back and eventually gave in in exchange for a small rent reduction.

It was a nightmare! After it was two months overdue for completion and still nowhere finished, with her trying to add extras every other day we told her enough was enough - we were planning to leave and she could do whatever she liked after we were gone but not before.

Never, ever, ever again. It was the most stressful experience ever. I vowed never to be that naive ever again.

You're entitled to quiet enjoyment of the property - the landlord is not free to do building work without your agreement, unless it's critical repairs to prevent damage to the property. Of course, if you're on an AST outstide of the fixed term, you could get given notice if you say no.

anotherpaul_2

Oh, and we had the footings for a conservatory put in at the same time. What we didn't realise that "Digging the footings" meant "spreading the mud from the hole we're going to dig all over the back lawn". Evenly, about an inch deep. We were livid when we got home.

If you do agree, make sure they're taking the spoil AWAY from the site and not just dumping it somewhere else. Ask a lot of specific questions.

If it come to it, you could threaten (verbally and politely) the builders with a trespass action. It's your garden and property during the period of the tenancy.

never_enough

Totally unacceptable, especially at such short notice. Some landlords are such chancers! If you're students she has the whole summer to do building works.

Sharon87

never_enough wrote: »

Totally unacceptable, especially at such short notice. Some landlords are such chancers! If you're students she has the whole summer to do building works.

That's what our LL did. She got the builders to fit new doors and when we moved out she fitted a new kitchen. She asked if she could start the kitchen early, I refused. I let the builders do all the preliminary stuff, things like measuring.etc This was because it might have been dangerous and I wouldn't have anywhere to cook for a few days before I moved out! I'm glad we didn't let her, as she combined the kitchen and the livingroom, which when we went back a few weeks later (before end of tenancy) it looked so unhomely!

I was in the house whilst the builders were fitting the new doors during the summer and it wasn't too bad, a bit noisy though.

Stand your ground. She needs your permission first.

clutton_2

say no - presumably you have exams in the next few months and need to study. if she insists - go to your local council and ask the private sector lettings officer to write to her

she has no legal right at all to do this - as others have said "Quiet enjoyment" means just that - if she forces her way in tomorrow - call the police