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Legal matters

Landlord wanting to do up house during the notice period?

10 replies

Sneezingwakesthebaby · 02/02/2013 09:20

I'm handing in notice on my rental house shortly and the notice period is two months. There are a few issues with the house (little cracks in the ceilings in each room, damp stains in several rooms appearing which LL has said he painted over before we moved in) all of which he says he will sort "in summer maybe" for us as he wants to strip the whole ceilings and repaint.

I'm wondering now what our rights are if he suddenly decides he will do it during our notice period in order to tempt new tenants? Each room he does will be out of action for a couple of days (including the kitchen ) which will make life difficult with a baby. We've also had issues with his behaviour several times when he was doing repairs (using our mugs to drain radiators, using my baby's pram to dump dirty rags on, handling some other household items without asking) and we've also had issues with his friends who he hires for repairs (climbing on the washing machine instead of using ladders and screaming at me when I asked politely if they could stop using our household stuff as equipment). If he does all this work my last two months here will be hell as I will have to watch him like a hawk to ensure he doesn't use or break anything.

Do I have any legal position to refuse any non essential work like this on the grounds of it affecting my quiet enjoyment of the property for the last two months? Or on the basis that he has put off doing this work for us every time we mention it so it would be solely to attract new tenants?

I'm really stressed about it because I don't think I can handle two months of that especially because of how much the other incidents upset me.

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Collaborate · 02/02/2013 10:29

Just say no. You have the right to refuse entry for this. You're worrying about something that probably won't happen.

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FellatioNels0n · 02/02/2013 10:32

Check your tenancy agreement and ask your letting agent if this is normal. I'm sure you have the right to say no, unless it's essential/urgent maintenance. If it's nothing that cannot wait then he should not be entitled to inconvenience you. He can use a void month to do the work.

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Cantbelieveitsnotbutter · 02/02/2013 10:45

It will prevent you from 'quiet enjoyment of the property' most agreements allow viewings. But the work I'd say no to

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DelGirl · 02/02/2013 10:48

Unless he is particularly mean I doubt he would do it. It would be far far easier to do when you've moved out, seriously. But if he does try then yes, you can refuse.

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Sneezingwakesthebaby · 02/02/2013 11:04

Thanks everyone, that's good to know! He doesn't stick to the 24 hours notice for repairs as it is (despite multiple reminders) so i just have this feeling its going to be a tough couple of months. Hopefully he will just do it after we have left.

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Collaborate · 02/02/2013 12:11

Just don't let them in. Redecoration for the next tenant is not a repair.

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pluCaChange · 02/02/2013 12:36

Start taking photos now. Any work he does is going to completely invalidate the inventory (either fixing things he could have charged you for, or breaking things he might try to blame you for, upon checkout), so you need to protect yourselves.

Of course you don't have to let him in, but it sounds as though he's the sort to do it anyway. I agree about involving anyone else you can, from agents right up to police, if he's harassing you and/or damaging things (whether your things or the "property's" things, which you are paying for).

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MousyMouse · 02/02/2013 21:03

you don't have to let anyone into your home if you don't want to.
if you fear that he will just let himself in to start work you may want to change the lock (can be fairly easy and cheap to do if you just change the barrel).

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Sneezingwakesthebaby · 02/02/2013 21:23

Thanks :) I think it may be a case of refusing the work and changing the barrel of the lock. He's one of those who says "ill be round in an hour" and if I'm not in he just says he'll let himself in. Erm, no thanks! I do wonder if its the first rental property he's had so he doesn't quite get it?

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Sunshinewithshowers · 02/02/2013 21:27

I would insist on getting your deposit back early, In case he gets funny.

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