Disruptions from Landlord carrying out works

tanjatucker

Hi everyone. I'm sure I've seen a thread about this kind of thing before, but can't find it through the search.

Our landlord has called us recently to say that all the windows in our rented house will be replaced in about 3 weeks time. Apparently it will be a slow process, with one or two windows being replaced per day. At that rate, we will have builders in the house for up to two weeks and I presume it will be fairly messy, too! He said he'll ring us with more details, but I'm just a bit worried that it'll be a nightmare if it's going to take this long. Is it reasonable for us to ask if it can be done more quickly, or will we just have to put up with it until it's all done? I don't want to seem ungrateful as the windows do need replacing and it should reduce our heating costs quite considerably, too. Any thoughts appreciated!

beaujolais-nouveau

tanjatucker wrote: »

Our landlord has called us recently to say that all the windows in our rented house will be replaced in about 3 weeks time. Apparently it will be a slow process, with one or two windows being replaced per day. At that rate, we will have builders in the house for up to two weeks ... Is it reasonable for us to ask if it can be done more quickly, or will we just have to put up with it until it's all done?

This will affect your home contents insurance cover. You will have to tell the insurer, and they may either suspend it entirely for the duration of the works or exclude theft of cash. Hope that gives you some leverage with your landlord.

ncooper1974

ts_aly2000 wrote: »

I'll tell you now, EVERYTHING in your house is going to be covered in a very fine layer of brick dust. And it's HIGHLY abrasive!!

You DO NOT have to put up with this level of disruption. It's major works.

Not true!
I had the windows changed during a tenancy last year - 2 double door onto a balcony, 2 large windows, and 2 small windows. No mess. no fuss. Certainly not any abrasive brick dust.
I also used the same company to change the windows in our house a few months ago.
You will get some dust, but if you use a reputable company, and the trademen are any decent (like ours were) then apart from a quick dust once they've left, you shouldn't have any other disruption.

DawnW

I had this done as well, all windows and doors in a 3 bed semi. It took a couple of days and there was virtually no mess at all. If you are intending to stay in the house it will be a big advantage, as the house will be warmer and your bills will be lower. Have you complained to the LL about old / inefficient windows, because if you have, he / she is doing their (expensive) best to put it right!

tanjatucker

ncooper1974 wrote: »

Not true!
I had the windows changed during a tenancy last year - 2 double door onto a balcony, 2 large windows, and 2 small windows. No mess. no fuss. Certainly not any abrasive brick dust.
I also used the same company to change the windows in our house a few months ago.
You will get some dust, but if you use a reputable company, and the trademen are any decent (like ours were) then apart from a quick dust once they've left, you shouldn't have any other disruption.

That sounds a lot friendlier than the previous post :eek:, but unfortunately we are at the mercy of our landlord in terms of the company that will carry out the works, we have no choice over the matter. I am worried if we do have to move out all our stuff, landlord is not great at communicating these things and he is bound to ring the night before they're due to come in before letting us know any details. I really hope it will be like you said "a quick dust once they've left".

ncooper1974

You LL has to give you 24 hours notice before a visit, so shouldn't really call you the night before.
Its a shame you dont have a decent relationship with your LL as this would probably worry you less. Like you say, it does depend on the builders/fitters that he chooses.
Good luck with it. I hope there is little mess for you. I had a full rewire done the other month, and even with dust sheets down the house was a tip. it was like this for 2 weeks while we were living there. Id put up with changing windows any day of the week!

PasturesNew

I had a team in my house for a whole week replacing windows. Two sets were 6' high 4' wide bay window sets. Overnight they left some of the windows half in (gaps around/wind whistling through, so not air/water tight). The mess was everywhere - and trodden into the carpet.

elljay

I had 5 windows replaced last week (took the landlords 8 yrs to get round to it!) and really the disruption was minimal. Like you I thought it would be major chaos. I was asked by the builders to remove ornaments etc from window areas as well as take down curtains before the event. Then when they arrived they checked to see if anything else needed moving and they put dustsheets over desk etc. Then all the work was done and dusted (literally) within the day. There's a little bit of dust in one room as the wind was blowing that way so it spread dust around, but a bit of a damp cloth and a hoover soon dealt with that. There were 2 men working on it and I was very impressed. I had to go out a couple of times during the day and also ensured dog wasn't trying to help all the time and it went really well. I was dreading it!

Can't help re contents insurance as I don't have any. Can't see how it would be affected though if you put a cover over your expensive tv etc beforehand.

Don't worry, - like you I'm looking forward to a draught free winter, we should compare notes next January!!

tanjatucker

DawnW wrote: »

I had this done as well, all windows and doors in a 3 bed semi. It took a couple of days and there was virtually no mess at all. If you are intending to stay in the house it will be a big advantage, as the house will be warmer and your bills will be lower. Have you complained to the LL about old / inefficient windows, because if you have, he / she is doing their (expensive) best to put it right!

Yes, we have pointed out that the windows are basically falling apart, which is why I am not inclined to kick up a fuss now that he is actually doing something about it! But if I need to move things out of the house I will need some notice. Reports here from different people seem to be contradicting in terms of the mess it will make but thanks anyhow to all for the input so far.

clutton_2

landlords really cannot win can they ?

you complain about old inefficient windows - the LL gets them replaced

tenant still moans



.........................

Geenie

clutton wrote: »

landlords really cannot win can they ?

you complain about old inefficient windows - the LL gets them replaced

tenant still moans



.........................

Agree with Clutton. You state that your windows need replacing, but then moan when the LL is doing so!!:rolleyes:

Just be grateful you have a LL who is upgrading your property. What ever discomfort you experience would be the same whether renting or owning. It is the nature of having windows replaced.