Building work above rented property

nickyb22

I am renting a garden flat with my friend and when we moved in the property above was empty. Weeks after we moved, building work started on the flat above us, causing us many problems. Although they do not strictly work outside of the legal hours (i.e. 8-6pm M-F and 8-1pm Sat) they are very noisy, dust falls through our light fixtures, the light fixtures themselves have fallen out, a framed picture has fallen off the wall and broken due to the banging upstairs, our flat was increadibly cold as they are repairing the roof and there is no insulation.

Then we were texted by the couple doing the work to say scaffolding was being put up to do the roof, but it wouldn't affect us and would only be up for 2-3 weeks max (it is now in its 3rd week). When we awoke the next day (no warning!) scaffolding was in our garden and blocking the entrance to our flat - after complaining they have slightly moved this.

However we are still angry and upset - it feels like we were rented our property under false circumstances, we should have been warned that building work would be taking place, they probably waited until we had moved in before starting. We are paying a premium to have the garden, but there is scaffolding in there, the constant banging is like chinese water torture and when you work in retail/hospitality you finish late, start later and the 8-6pm law does not protect you.

We have tried getting angry with our property managers, but when the snotty lady came round she was rude, unhelpful and made us feel like we were creating the problem. We feel powerless, constantly unhappy and cannot enjoy living in our property -what can we do!? please help...

Can we demand a reduction in rent? Can we withhold rent until something is done?