Breach of comfort of home thingy

elisebutt65

Awww - If it's any consolation - I had mine done the year before last and mine too was a shitpit for the better part of a month as well. But they didn't treat as badly as they seem to have done to you. They did break a brand new broom though and I also had to get the gas people out as they hadn't chained the cooker back down. Floor is still at a weird slope as well.

This is the final product - not bad and that's only a quarter of the kitchen.


Bit blurry but they did do a nice job in the end and it was the only time I had clear worktops - LOL

I hope they do come and sort it out for you and a £50 voucher is a bit of a cheek really!!!

clutton_2

When i had to do a similar refurb to one of my houses last year, i asked the national landlords association for advice. ( I had offered the tenants alternative accommodation, but they refused so they virtually lived up stairs for 2 and a half weeks. The NLA advised that i should not charge them rent at all during that time - so i didn't.

i would be tempted to with-hold rent, but, send a recorded delivery letter, explaining why, and informing them that they are

a) not providing you with quiet enjoyment
b) the property is not now as described in the Tenancy Agreement, as it is not habitable, and that thus they are in breach of their obligations.
c) £50 is totally unacceptable as compensation for redecoration, and you expect the property to be returned to the same state of decoration as before the works started.
d) send copies of this letter to your local councillor, environmental health and your MP.

They are trying it on - just because they are the council, don't lose sight of the fact that they are a landlord, like any other.

seven-day-weekend

Oh well, maybe it's me.....I thought EVERYBODY had a mess when work was being done, it's unavoidable.

Try having your house plastered!

lynzpower

clutton wrote:

When i had to do a similar refurb to one of my houses last year, i asked the national landlords association for advice. ( I had offered the tenants alternative accommodation, but they refused so they virtually lived up stairs for 2 and a half weeks. The NLA advised that i should not charge them rent at all during that time - so i didn't.

i would be tempted to with-hold rent, but, send a recorded delivery letter, explaining why, and informing them that they are

a) not providing you with quiet enjoyment
b) the property is not now as described in the Tenancy Agreement, as it is not habitable, and that thus they are in breach of their obligations.
c) £50 is totally unacceptable as compensation for redecoration, and you expect the property to be returned to the same state of decoration as before the works started.
d) send copies of this letter to your local councillor, environmental health and your MP.

They are trying it on - just because they are the council, don't lose sight of the fact that they are a landlord, like any other.

this is excellent advice.

iwanttosave_2

seven-day-weekend wrote:

Maybe what frizzhead is saying is that anyone (whether renting or their own place) has to put up with this when having renovations done.

How do you expect them to get done otherwise?

No, what she is saying, is I am getting if for free (even though my rent has paid for it) so I should shut up, put up and be a mug, let them continue to give substandard work.

I have got the gaffer coming round half an hour ago, so he should be here soon :rolleyes:

The plasterer was here yesterday, and we have to complain about him, it took him 7 hours to do what nelly could have done twice over before dinner, and made a hell of a lot more mess than needed, it seems dust sheets are extinct. Why should I be put out, have things wrecked that I can't afford to replace so they can drag the hours on thinking they are on a nice little earner?

clutton_2

Actually, i need to add that, as a result of my not charging them rent, they were so over the moon, that they offered to redecorate the whole house - i bought the paper and paint (their choice) and they did the work - a real win win situation. I saved on another property being used for them, as they would not move out, and i got a house completely redecorated - everyone happy !!!!

iwanttosave_2

Thank you clutton, you have been a big help.

I am still waiting for the gaffer, who should have been here at 8, the plasterer came at 8, made up his browning mix and has been missing since.

I feel it is only fair that I give the gaffer a chance to explain and to complain to him before I go over his head and go higher.

Idiophreak

OP has clearly paid for this work, so it's not being done for free.

Any landlord factors repairs and renovation into the rent they charge, and as such, rather than spending the *everyso impressive* 30 grand all at once, OP has done it over time.

Furthermore, landlords have a moral (I don't know about legal, so won't comment on that) obligation to carry out works in a way that causes the minimum amount of hassle for the people living there.

This clearly isn't happening in this case, so the OP has every right to be fudged off about it.

clutton_2

""I feel it is only fair that I give the gaffer a chance to explain and to complain to him"

its not up to you to be complaining to the workmen directly or their gaffer, their council supervisor should be on the case, not you - phone up AND write this letter and play merry hell, and let the Council Works Department start the b*llocking which is clearly required - do it NOW!!!!

If you have children, this is totally unacceptable on health and safety grounds alone.

nu1isit?

Hello!

iwanttosave wrote:

Thank you clutton, you have been a big help.

I am still waiting for the gaffer, who should have been here at 8, the plasterer came at 8, made up his browning mix and has been missing since.

I feel it is only fair that I give the gaffer a chance to explain and to complain to him before I go over his head and go higher.

I hope your still managing to keep calm...If it's any consolation we had that happen but it was with a tiler (two tiles in an hour - i'm not joking neither!!!). In fact a lot of the workmen wasted time, even though we had no bathroom, kitchen etc. (however some were great). We complained to the landlord and were virtually ignored...If you don't get any joy from your landlord, I think you should follow some of the good advice given by bionic banjo (head towards the CAB), or get yourself a landlord like clutton.
It is were you live with your family and your entitled to enjoy it - after all you pay for the privilige.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.