Entitled to a reduction on rent? due to building work....

tugboat84

Hey Guys, go easy on me, im new here. Not sure if i have a leg to stand on, or even a valid point, but ill try anyways.

Myself and my partner live in a topfloor 1 bedroom flat in a purpose built block. It is massively overpriced for a 1 bedroom flat in the area, and i would imagine this is because it has a HUGE balcony/ roof terrace. This was the sole selling point of the flat, and we spent pretty much all day everyday out there during the short summer period last year. Our contract is up in the next 2weeks and we are not sure whether to extend.....

Basically since the building was erected there have been drainage problems and multiple problems with the roof. and apparently from 1st June, they will begin building work to practically replace the whole roof. We have been told that it will take a whole month of erecting scaffolding, and then at least 3months to complete the work. Obviously this will mean the roof terrace will be all scaffolded up, and obviously noisy, and i am assuming pretty much unusable. I dont think this is fair, since the only reason we moved into this flat, and pay £750 for Basic rent (excluding all bills) for a small 1 bedroom flat. As far as the surrounding rental market.......i could quite easily get a decent size 2bedroom flat for exactly the same price, but as i say this unusable balcony was the selling point. Our tenancy agreement ends at the end of this month, and we need to decide whether we are going to stay on or not.... of course we would like to, but there is absolutely no point if we are going to have to pay full whack rent, and have no outdoor facility. Not only that but 1 whole wall is floor to ceiling windows/patio doors. and so we will have the delightful view of builders and their bums all through the day:mad:, and they will have the delightful view of me in my shorts with my cereal;) not to mention the fact that i work full shifts which involves a week of nights each month, and so does my partner......... what are your views on the situation? should i be entitled to any rent reduction or anything like this? because as i say, i would rather not have to go through the process of moving, because other than this situation, the flat is great...... any help/views/insight would really be appreciated.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Speak to the landlord. Outline your concerns and highlight that you are happy to re-sign dependant upon the outcome of those negotiations. You need to know what you want before you open discussions. Is it a couple of hundred quid off? Or half rent? Whatever it is, be nice and polite, but know what you expect and be prepared to walk. There are 2 things in your favour which need highlighting...

1. You are a known quantity as a tenant, rent account up to date, property looked after and no agro.

2. He will struggle to re-let with scaffolding and major building work going on so, if you leave, he will probably have a void for at least the duration of the work.

In terms of "entitlement", it could be argued that you are aware of the proposed work prior to re-signing and, in signing, accept that.

tugboat84

Thanks for your response Willy.

Well to me its a strange set-up but i'm sure you have experienced it before..... we pay rent through an estate agents, but they solely care about the money side of things...... anything not money related about they are not interested in. Any actual problems etc we have to go through the landlord directly...

Yeah, we have just about been here 12months and had no issues with paying rent etc, always on time. Well this work has been proposed to have started since 1st march, but no 'definitive' info was given. Now we know that the entire building will be covered in netting and scaffolding. Will certainly contact the estate agents first and see what they say, and then go to the landlord.

You raise a very good point with regards to not being able to rent it whilst that is going on..... i realise its not so much an entitlement, just wanted reassurance that im not being outrageous and expecting too much, but ive never really spoken to anyone in a similar situation.

Wee_Willy_Harris

tugboat84 wrote: »

Thanks for your response Willy.

Well to me its a strange set-up but i'm sure you have experienced it before..... we pay rent through an estate agents, but they solely care about the money side of things...... anything not money related about they are not interested in. Any actual problems etc we have to go through the landlord directly...

Yeah, we have just about been here 12months and had no issues with paying rent etc, always on time. Well this work has been proposed to have started since 1st march, but no 'definitive' info was given. Now we know that the entire building will be covered in netting and scaffolding. Will certainly contact the estate agents first and see what they say, and then go to the landlord.

You raise a very good point with regards to not being able to rent it whilst that is going on..... i realise its not so much an entitlement, just wanted reassurance that im not being outrageous and expecting too much, but ive never really spoken to anyone in a similar situation.

I can't comment on the "outrageous" bit, that's for your LL to decide. You can only ask and take it from there.

Speaking of the LL, I wouldn't waste too much time on the LA. The LL will make the final decision and your argument will be far more persuasive first hand rather than via the LA.

tugboat84

Ill bare that in mind, will give him a call at the weekend i reckon, but thanks for your input its appreciated.

Fire_Fox

I'd deal with this in writing directly with the landlord - you are not contracted to the agent and this is not his decision. If the agent is on a percentage he is not exactly going to want to fight your corner against the landlord is he??