Landlord Building whilst i'm renting

Perfectpeach

If my landlord builds a porch while I am a tenant there, against my wishes, completely disturbing me while it is being done, and that this action had forced me to leave and find accomodation that doesn't cause me this much disturbance and stress,
(I came home from work to find builders, dust and mess all over the inside and outside of my home and on my belongings. Builders were coming in without my permission whilst I went from bedroom to shower. I'm a single full time working mum who always insisted I was present when anyone entered my home. My landlord told me the builders were 'bending over backwards' for Me.)

and that the problem is now - I cannot fit half of my furniture out of my property BECAUSE of the porch, can I sue him for my furniture? I have a back door down a long garden to a small gate and even smaller last gate leading to a river bank, and I have properties either side of me so the front is the only option.

pmlindyloo

What a very strange story.

Presumably, if you cannot get your furniture out then new tenants cannot get their furniture in!

What does your LL say about your predicament? Has he come up with a solution to the problem? Are there any windows large enough for the furniture to go through?

Personally I would be asking the LL to come round and get him to sort it out.

What a numpty! Perhaps he will have to knock the porch down!

Are you sure that your furniture won't go through, even turning it on its head?

Have you asked some furniture removers to come and give you a free quote and see what they suggest?

princeofpounds

No, he cannot do this. You should have chucked the builders out and called the police if they didn't leave.

A court would ask why you did not do this, rather than disappear to a B&B or whatever you did. So getting compensation will not be straightforward, although I can't claim it would be impossible given that you did object and they carried on anyway. Got any evidence of objection?

As for getting the furniture out... well I have never heard of anything like this! But if you are caused loss or damage by the landlord's actions then he is likely to be liable, so maybe you could claim for the removal and re-installation of a window frame to get things out or something.

pmlindyloo

princeofpounds wrote: »

No, he cannot do this. You should have chucked the builders out and called the police if they didn't leave.

A court would ask why you did not do this, rather than disappear to a B&B or whatever you did. So getting compensation will not be straightforward, although I can't claim it would be impossible given that you did object and they carried on anyway. Got any evidence of objection?

As for getting the furniture out... well I have never heard of anything like this! But if you are caused loss or damage by the landlord's actions then he is likely to be liable, so maybe you could claim for the removal and re-installation of a window frame to get things out or something.

I took it to mean that the OP has given notice and found somewhere else to rent not to mean staying elsewhere while the building work was being done.

If this is the case, then, as you say, the OP should have done something about it whilst she was still living there and the building work was going on.

Perfectpeach

Hi All, I have stayed whilst it was being done - I didnt go anywhere.
I didnt know my rights. The landlord is the 'professional' here so I took it that he knew he could do this.
Even so, I did a bit of enquiry with CAB and they said really you could say no to the build but you might be slung out after your lease runs out. (this was only a few months away, and im a single mum). So when landlord approached me he said he was definately going to do this and that etc. Not: Is this ok?..

All the way through the proceedings he's said they wont disturb me and at first was constantly saying it will all be on my terms, when its convenient for me etc. It turned out to be hell, waiting months for planning after a half job, meaning im walking over wooden planks for months with no floor underneath.

I mention issues all the way through, emailing a landlord has entered here, or the dust has settled, with photo proof on the days that occured. All I got was 'sorry, all I can do it appologise'. It turned nasty when after 3 years of him being my landlord and knowing full well I always like to be home on inspections etc, that despite taking three days 'holiday' to accomodate, it wasnt enough, the builders (his mates) were too slow or the work was underestimated, and I ended up being put under pressure to either let them in while I was at work or else give up holiday.

The porch has yet to be finished. The measurements of the door/new corner will not accomodate my sofas. LL doesnt know yet. My move out start date is 20th, lease ending 31st. Im pre-empting to see what my rights are as obviously I didnt at the start of all this.

Quiet enjoyment, I did not have.

He seems to think it is his right to modify and shape as he wishes.

He has had many phone calls from me and emails saying im not happy with the constructing. At one time I said 'im sure this whole thing is illegal to do' and he got angry and scarey and said if I wish He will investigate this (with a tone of, i'm right your wrong'.

The reason im moving is because of the bad treament and lack of respect whilst the bulding has been going on.
My main concern is the furniture.

Turnbull2000

Like you said, there's not a great deal you can do in these circumstances. If you complained, this sort of landlord would have probably evicted you in retaliation anyway.

Perhaps you could come to an agreement for the landlord to buy your furniture?

Zorz_2

Are you still living there or did you move out permanently? You can report this to your council's Environmental Health. They can force the LL to fix this.

Do not call the police, they are worse than useless!

Yorkie1

Was it an unfurnished property?

Is your deposit protected?

I'm not clear whether any damage to your property has been caused by the dust?

Subject to others' comments on this proposed course of action, I would consider writing to your LL to notify him that his builders have constructed a porch which will not enable you to remove your furniture at the end of your tenancy. Depending on your attitude to your furniture, you could then outline any or all of the following options:
- undo sufficient work to enable you to get your furniture out
- provide an alternative exit route for the furniture (e.g. window)
- buy your furniture off you at a price you set
- formal notification that you will start proceedings in the small claims court for replacement furniture given that you will have to destroy it to remove it.

What do others think?

Perfectpeach

In answer to questions,
I am still living here till 31st. I have handed my notice in and got a new place to live mainly due to this porch and the LLs evasive behaviour and lack of care.
The dust was cleanable but took a lot of time and happened on consecutive days after spending hours cleaning after work. More time than anything. I suppose if I dirty something up like that, i'm expected to get it professionally cleaned. All 'he could do was appologise', which is a bit of a back peddle to his first reaction which was, 'we will compensate you in some way'...

I think putting the options to him like the last post would be really good. Yes, what do others think of this?

Perfectpeach

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Was it an unfurnished property?

Is your deposit protected?

Yes unfurnished.
Yes i'm using the DPS scheme. Although that's my money. Wouldn't it be lovely if the landlord had to tuck away some money for being stupid. That and I think references for landlords would be excellent.:T

RAS

Was there a dual signed inventory at the start of the tenancy?

We are assuming you live in England or Wales by the way. Scotland is different.