AIBU to refuse temporary accommodation for external work to our home?

allowaccess · 2026-06-03T07:52:03+00:00

Recently we were informed of exterior work to be done to our home (LA property). Nothing inside the house at all. No access needed to complete any of the external work other than access to the garden which is via a side gate not through the property. We were instructed that for the duration of the work (no specific timeframe just ‘might be a few weeks’ ) that we would be placed in alternative accommodation that was miles away from where we are now and would cause significant issues for us with school as we have two children one with severe SEN. We also didn’t want to leave the house as it would be overwhelming for him to be away from familiarity for no real reason as it’s external work?? So we refused and set out in writing why. We were told no we have to vacate on a certain day. The only reason given when we pushed was ‘it will be noisy’. I said I’m fine to put up with some noise especially as it will only be between 8 am and-6pm. Again they said we need to vacate on the day and provide keys so they have access ??? They dont need access to inside. The day has come and gone and we have stayed. My housing officer called on day 2 and said we need to allow access to the house while the work is ongoing. I said no as theres no need the work is external. They have said we need to allow access if needed to the team working. I told them again no the said they may need access to facilities! I said in that case they need to get portaloos if that’s the issue. I then had an email giving another date to vacate for the work and a different address for temporary accommodation? Again I’ve said no. Can they actually force this or is it unreasonable as it’s not interior work ??? It hasn’t even been that noisy at all??

Hangingcrystal · 05/06/2026 11:41

Well done.
They wanted to use your house.
Unbelievable.
Who would take responsibility for a bunch of men using your home?
No one.
Can you imagine the likely state of it afterwards?

Whoopiedooo · 04/06/2026 23:23

Well done for standing firm, you have a win.

Original poster

allowaccess · 04/06/2026 21:09

helpfulperson · 04/06/2026 20:30

Will insurance not be through the HA anyway? It normally is.

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Our contents insurance was arranged privately. The council insured the actual building

OP posts:

Besidemyselfwithworry · 04/06/2026 20:34

allowaccess · 03/06/2026 09:04

It’s removing and repairing the exterior because of damp issues , replacing guttering and some work to the roof

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They might want to get in the loft space if it’s to do with the roof

are they expected you to empty the house and put your stuff In storage/ take it with you ??

What does your tenancy agreement say?

helpfulperson · 04/06/2026 20:30

Nearly50omg · 03/06/2026 19:40

They need to explain to your insurance company how they are going to be covering any theft or damage to tie property then as insurance won’t be valid in this situation if you leave the keys to your house to a load of random workers!!

Will insurance not be through the HA anyway? It normally is.

Original poster

allowaccess · 04/06/2026 16:18

BrownTroutBluesAgain · 04/06/2026 16:12

Ask them to cover the scaffolding to protect your property and garden from dirt and stuff falling

Ensure the waiver to sign is just concerning you accessing the scaffold and does not cover them breaking g stuff during erection and use
They must protect your property

It seems clear as they didn’t answer your question about facilities that they wanted to use your toilet. Perhaps the kitchen too and for a sit down when it rains 🤣🤣

Edited

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I think it was that as we are on a main road there’s not really anywhere else for them to go and even parking is difficult so their vans could be quite far down the road. I’m assuming they just wanted the house to use as a base ?

OP posts:

BrownTroutBluesAgain · 04/06/2026 16:12

allowaccess · 04/06/2026 16:09

They didn’t answer my questions but have said we can stay here but at certain points we will not be permitted to use the garden at all due to scaffolding. They said I will have to sign something to say I accept the risks and that we won’t access the scaffolding at any point.

Ask them to cover the scaffolding to protect your property and garden from dirt and stuff falling

Ensure the waiver to sign is just concerning you accessing the scaffold and does not cover them breaking g stuff during erection and use
They must protect your property

It seems clear as they didn’t answer your question about facilities that they wanted to use your toilet. Perhaps the kitchen too and for a sit down when it rains 🤣🤣

Original poster

allowaccess · 04/06/2026 16:09

They didn’t answer my questions but have said we can stay here but at certain points we will not be permitted to use the garden at all due to scaffolding. They said I will have to sign something to say I accept the risks and that we won’t access the scaffolding at any point.

OP posts:

sueelleker · 04/06/2026 09:45

Elleherd · 03/06/2026 19:23

@Dancingintherain09 and @BrownTroutBluesAgain I hear you.

I guess it comes down to what they mean by facilities. You're both right that it does seem to mean the loo.
Here they expanded it to mean water supplies, the 32amp kitchen ring mains, and the easiest straight access route to the back of the property, rather than specifically just the loo.

(Assumption by LL's was we had to cover the power and water used, at least if we wouldn't vacate)

If they really mean just the loo, expecting her to vacate is beyond ridiculous.

I did wonder if they were planning on using her electricity too.

Blondeshavemorefun · 04/06/2026 00:49

Seems very strange they would go for extra cost to move a family while work is being done rather then hire a portaloo or use their toilet

I wouldn’t have an issue with workman using my toilet or to use kettle and make a cuppa

JenniferBooth · 03/06/2026 20:46

allowaccess · 03/06/2026 16:03

I’ve emailed my housing officer. Declined the new offer of temporary accommodation and explained again why. I’ve also asked for clarification about noise levels and reasons for wanting me to vacate and asked about what they mean by ‘facilities’.
They only worked on the house for 2 hours today so I can see why it will take ‘weeks’

My late neighbour had this shit pulled on him NINE MONTHS to fit his kitchen. They would come in for couple of hours do a bit then piss off

rwalker · 03/06/2026 19:51

I doubt it’s for the toilet a portable toilet or even a welfare cabin would be far cheaper

JenniferBooth · 03/06/2026 19:47

And thats another reason why it wouldnt work with flats Random workmen with loads of different sets of keys

JenniferBooth · 03/06/2026 19:45

Nearly50omg · 03/06/2026 19:40

They need to explain to your insurance company how they are going to be covering any theft or damage to tie property then as insurance won’t be valid in this situation if you leave the keys to your house to a load of random workers!!

Exactly thats what the hard of thinking on this thread dont seem to understand or more likely dont want to understand

Nearly50omg · 03/06/2026 19:40

They need to explain to your insurance company how they are going to be covering any theft or damage to tie property then as insurance won’t be valid in this situation if you leave the keys to your house to a load of random workers!!

JenniferBooth · 03/06/2026 19:39

Dancingintherain09 · 03/06/2026 16:10

But if they want access to go inside tge house that she pays for to use the 'facilities' then it should not be expected.
She says for the water snd utilities it not for the LA to then say other random contractors have a right to use that. If you rent somewhere should your Landlord then have the right to come in and use your toilet because it's theirs?

Contractors have no right to enter the house, while you are not there.
You don't know who these contractors are they could be going through your belongings, personal items or stealing stuff.

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On ITV News a couple of years ago there was an item about a SH tenant who set up a camera to see why work was taking so long The camera caught the Peabody contractor going through her knicker drawer

Elleherd · 03/06/2026 19:23

@Dancingintherain09 and @BrownTroutBluesAgain I hear you.

I guess it comes down to what they mean by facilities. You're both right that it does seem to mean the loo.
Here they expanded it to mean water supplies, the 32amp kitchen ring mains, and the easiest straight access route to the back of the property, rather than specifically just the loo.

(Assumption by LL's was we had to cover the power and water used, at least if we wouldn't vacate)

If they really mean just the loo, expecting her to vacate is beyond ridiculous.

BrownTroutBluesAgain · 03/06/2026 18:43

Elleherd · 03/06/2026 17:11

You have to allow access with reasonable notice. Where it's clear that's going to be continuous over a long period of time, you have the choice of decanting, showing you can jump through continuous hoops giving enough reasonable access, or getting evicted for denying access for repairs.

I'm one of several access flats for a major project that's gone very very wrong.

I and others refused to decant and I'm one of the few whose managed to continue to jump those hoops sufficiently to prevent action. Others got evicted.
I'm told that was because the courts sided with the LL's who said they legally have to bring their properties up to standard, and had offered the tenants somewhere else to live, because of the amount of access needed, so they weren't unable to give access. Just blocking it.

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It’s not denying access for repairs though
They have said they want to use the facilities

ToffeePennie · 03/06/2026 18:28

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 03/06/2026 12:13

I didn’t think trespass was a police matter - you’re lucky they came out

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I worked in prisons at the time. Not only did I know the officers professionally but they had to respond to trespass offences for prison staff.

CostOfLoving · 03/06/2026 17:25

Passaggressfedup · 03/06/2026 14:22

It's their home!? Then how about they arrange and pay for the repairs themselves?

Oh no, of course, want their cake and eat it. A nice, well looked after home, not needing to pay for any repairs, but control everything about how and when repairs to be done. Unreasonable!

OP doesn't want to "control everything about how and when repairs are done".
She wants to understand why she is expected to vacate her home, and not to let random workmen have access whilst she's not there.

Having had the misfortune to live next door to social housing, the workmen were appalling in terms of mess and damage to things on my property. And that was just outside! (And the HA were arsey, saying "well you want the work done" until I pointed out it wasn't my property so didn't care about that!)

Dancingintherain09 · 03/06/2026 17:17

Elleherd · 03/06/2026 17:11

You have to allow access with reasonable notice. Where it's clear that's going to be continuous over a long period of time, you have the choice of decanting, showing you can jump through continuous hoops giving enough reasonable access, or getting evicted for denying access for repairs.

I'm one of several access flats for a major project that's gone very very wrong.

I and others refused to decant and I'm one of the few whose managed to continue to jump those hoops sufficiently to prevent action. Others got evicted.
I'm told that was because the courts sided with the LL's who said they legally have to bring their properties up to standard, and had offered the tenants somewhere else to live, because of the amount of access needed, so they weren't unable to give access. Just blocking it.

Show quote history

But as OP said the work can be done without access to inside the property. The LA want access for facilities for the workers. That is not required. Also the use of facilities would mean water usage etc, who is paying for that. Also who is safeguarding OPs belongings from contractors. Under these circumstances OP has a right to refuse access without her being there. As use of facilities is not a requirement of work getting done.

Elleherd · 03/06/2026 17:11

Dancingintherain09 · 03/06/2026 16:42

What does that have to do with access to property while you are not there. SH LL still have to abide by the rule of rental law. That states they do not access your home while you are not there. As you pay for the those facilities not them.
NOBODY has the right to access your home that YOU pay for while you are not there. We were LL and also have worked with SH the rules are the same. As long as you are paying rent that is YOUR home and have rights to not allow access unless you are home to supervise it.

Edited

Show quote history

You have to allow access with reasonable notice. Where it's clear that's going to be continuous over a long period of time, you have the choice of decanting, showing you can jump through continuous hoops giving enough reasonable access, or getting evicted for denying access for repairs.

I'm one of several access flats for a major project that's gone very very wrong.

I and others refused to decant and I'm one of the few whose managed to continue to jump those hoops sufficiently to prevent action. Others got evicted.
I'm told that was because the courts sided with the LL's who said they legally have to bring their properties up to standard, and had offered the tenants somewhere else to live, because of the amount of access needed, so they weren't unable to give access. Just blocking it.

Possiblyfamous · 03/06/2026 17:00

MrBlobbysNuts · 03/06/2026 10:29

I would contact school about the situation and see if they can allow some wiggle room given children are SEN and will be unsettled and may be harder to get to school.

Take any important/expensive belongings with you as I wouldn’t trust workmen.

Yes - involve the school… their job is to educate not sort out your housing problems !

Dancingintherain09 · 03/06/2026 16:56

Barrenfieldoffucks · 03/06/2026 16:40

Use of the facilities does not just mean the loo. 🙄
I suspect it is also for health and safety, if they're working on the roof, removing some exterior etc. Bits may fall off, there may be dust/particles that aren't good for you. They may need to get in to get to the other side of the roof.

Actually according Oxford dictionary to use facilities refers to use of the toilet and or use of running water.

Possiblyfamous · 03/06/2026 16:54

Because typically builders leave an atrocious mess?
Seriously? You’re an idiot