Scaffolding outside my rented flat - reduction in rent?

ally1986

Hi there,

I live in a flat rented from a landlord via a letting agency but the whole block is managed by a property management service company.

About six weeks ago the letting agent got in touch saying the flat above needed to undergo some repairs and that scaffolding would be erected outside our lounge window. She didn't clarify how long the scaffolding would be there for but said it would have minimal impact on me. Six weeks on, there is no sign of any work having commenced and I'm left with a ugly scaffolding outside of my lovely big bay window. I have the following problems...

1) Security - I didn't want to get a ground floor flat so rented this one because none of the windows were accessible - now they are.
2) Privacy - it's right outside my lounge window which is where my dining room table is and where I eat dinner/do my work, so that means I have the blinds down all the time.
3) Gloominess - the flat doesn't get much sunlight as it is, but with this scaffolding there the flat is so dark and gloomy.
4) Aesthetics - obviously it looks horrible and as I spend most of my time in the lounge I can still see it with the blinds down.

I have three months left on my contract and, with no work having even started yet, I can see this scaffolding staying up for the rest of my stay here. I keep asking the letting agency how long it will be there but they say they are getting no reply from the property management services. Does anyone know if I would be eligible for a reduction on my rent because of this? If I'd have known about this before I signed my contract then I most certainly wouldn't have gone for this place.

Any advice is appreciated.

jamie11

1. Maybe you have a point..........lock the windows, then you have at least the same security as the ground floor flats.

2. I can't imagine a workman sitting on the scaffolding and watching you.

3. You have the blinds down, what do you expect?

4. Some people have a view of factory walls, this is temporary and for the benefit of the whole block, I would not be offering any sort of discount unless it directly impacted on your living space.

moromir

Tbh I think you need to sort your arguement out...

In one breath you're saying "there is no sign of any work having commenced" and in the next "I have the blinds down all the time" followed by "the flat is so dark and gloomy".

If I were the agent I would be pointing out the flat is gloomy because the blinds are down, and if there is noone there doing any work why do the blinds need to be down?

Devil's advocate etc.

dodger1

It's a pain in the you know where but that's all it is. It will go in the end simply because someone is paying for it to sit there.

RupertTheCat

As it's not the landlord's fault or issue, I do not imagine they would consider giving you a reduction in rent. I sympathise, but I don't think there's a lot you can do, and I don't think it's reasonable to expect the landlord to give you a reduction in rent. Can you ask the people in the flat upstairs if they know how long the work will take?

BitterAndTwisted

You have absolutely no right to any rent-reduction. Most especially when the works scheduled are not under the control of your landlord. My own landlord has been carrying out works to the development where I live and scaffolding has been up for about six months now.

andy.m_2

You could request of the scaffolder to sheet in or monerflex the scaffold for privacy and security.
I have a roll here is you're local

ognum

Flats like houses need maintenance, scaffolding is sometimes put up before work can proceed so that it can be decided what remedial action is needed.

be pleased your block is being maintained, many are not!

Contact the management group and ask how long it is going to take.

ally1986

Thanks for your replies. I guess I didn't really expect to get a reduction but it is annoying especially when they haven't even started to do any work. I've pestered the letting agency and apparently the work has been delayed because of the weather (heard that one before!) and should be done by the end of next week! If it only takes a week to do it does make me wonder why it has been there for over six!

Just get fed up of seeing a load of scaffolding outside my window, I think being the middle flat makes it worse. I'll stop grumbling now...

R_P_W

Not really a serious problem though is it?

Matt1977

Had the same thing happen where I am, landlord didn't inform me. Never saw any workmen using it, assume they were there when I was at work. Scaffolding went about a week ago, although still evident on other blocks on the estate. Didn't bother me too much - the flat lets !!!!!! all light in at the best of times (no bay window sadly)