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Can a tenant refuse renovation works?
coffeehound
Posts: 5,742 Forumite
Not sure of my ground here so would appreciate some advice please.
Recently moved into a flat owned by some kind of property organisation, possibly a housing association.
I've been informed that they want to update the bathroom in the new year, requiring access by multiple trades for three weeks. They seem to expect the tenant to be available to let them in and generally be present.
I'm not happy about this on several fronts. I don't want to have to be around for three weeks and indeed will probably be at work. Don't want the general disruption, upheaval and inevitable mess. And I'm not happy about having multiple unsupervised strangers having access to my possessions.
Can I just refuse?
Recently moved into a flat owned by some kind of property organisation, possibly a housing association.
I've been informed that they want to update the bathroom in the new year, requiring access by multiple trades for three weeks. They seem to expect the tenant to be available to let them in and generally be present.
I'm not happy about this on several fronts. I don't want to have to be around for three weeks and indeed will probably be at work. Don't want the general disruption, upheaval and inevitable mess. And I'm not happy about having multiple unsupervised strangers having access to my possessions.
Can I just refuse?
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Comments
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coffeehound wrote: »Not sure of my ground here so would appreciate some advice please.
Recently moved into a flat owned by some kind of property organisation, possibly a housing association.
I've been informed that they want to update the bathroom in the new year, requiring access by multiple trades for three weeks. They seem to expect the tenant to be available to let them in and generally be present.
I'm not happy about this on several fronts. I don't want to have to be around for three weeks and indeed will probably be at work. Don't want the general disruption, upheaval and inevitable mess. And I'm not happy about having multiple unsupervised strangers having access to my possessions.
Can I just refuse?
Who is your landlord? A Housing Association? A.N. Other?
What kind of tenancy do you have?
Has the landlord explicitly said you are expected to be there to allow access?0 -
My bathroom was stripped and replaced completely including decorating in just three days, I can't understand where the three weeks is coming from.It's nothing , not nothink.0
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parkrunner wrote: »My bathroom was stripped and replaced completely including decorating in just three days, I can't understand where the three weeks is coming from.
It'll be the worst case scenario, as it may not be possible for each trade to visit exactly on schedule, given they may also be split between routine jobs (such as this) and emergencies such as burst pipes and what-not.
The reality is that it'll probably take closer to your 3 days rather than the theoretical 3 weeks, but if they promise 3 days and fail to deliver, someone else will complain....
As for refusing, I don't know what the legal position is, but I'm not sure how the OP thinks the work might be done otherwise - a point which applies regardless of whether you own your home or rent it.
Refusing now may push them down the list of priorities for refurbs, so it could be quite some time before the offer is made again, if it's made at all... Councils/HAs aren't known for being massively proactive with their maintenance and updating, so I'm struggling to see the wisdom of being difficult about it simply because it's not particularly convenient right at this moment - another moment might be a very long time coming!0 -
If it's a HA you can refuse, and it will be some time, if ever, that your property gets considered in the next round of renovations. My council has improvement programmes every 10-15 years. Even then not every property is considered.
You can also work with the contracted company to set a schedule that suits you.
When we had our bathroom & kitchen done we negotiated a 4 day working week with them, and a later start date than they initially wanted. We were given the option to be present or leave a key with the tenant liaison officer.0 -
How do you not know if you have moved into social housing?
Or is it a market rental via a housing association. Surely you applied for the property?
It makes no sense to decline but each to their own. They wouldn't have scheduled it unless they felt it was necessary. Just don't moan when the current one falls apart.
Most HAs offer some flexibility but won't revisit if you refuse.0 -
You can have a free new bathroom, in exchange for a bit of minor disruption.
Or you can choose not to.
Your call.0 -
It took three weeks for our bathroom to be renovated. And we had to pay for it ourselves...No longer a spouse, or trailing, but MSE won't allow me to change my username...0
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You can have a free new bathroom, in exchange for a bit of minor disruption.
Or you can choose not to.
Your call.
Many HAs do not allow tenants to refuse refurbishment works.
HAs plan these works years in advance, why should a tenant demand that the plans are changed for them.
I do know of one case where a refurbishment was deferred due to one of the tenants undergoing palliative care at home.
Just out of interest, OP why is this inconvenient to you?
Are you working away from home?
You can always put your valuables somewhere safe and allow the HA full access.0 -
I get the feeling that it's not the work the tenant is disputing but that they have to accommodate it for three weeks. I wouldn't be taking any time off work.0
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trailingspouse wrote: »It took three weeks for our bathroom to be renovated. And we had to pay for it ourselves...
Is that because you own your home and chose when to have it done?0
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