Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want compensation for having to move out for 6 weeks

47 replies

beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 20:00

I'm renting. The flat is 50% privately owned, 50% owned by a development company (was a new build 4 years ago).

The building was not done properly and the development company need to reinsulate the walls and do some other stuff (not sure of the details, maybe the bathroom plumbing but I'm not sure). In order for this to happen, my flatmate and I need to move out for 4 - 6 weeks.

They are putting us up in a flat upstairs in the same block, and have given us boxes and packaging, and have arranged for a removal company to carry our boxes upstairs on Friday.

Every single thing has to go upstairs. We are not getting help with packing.

I emailed and asked if it was possible to have some vouchers for a nice dinner or something as compensation, but apparently as it's costing the company so much to do this, they can't afford to pay for my flatmate and I to have any compensation.

I am utterly pissed off a bit annoyed to have to pack all of my stuff up and then live out of boxes and then unpack it all again in 6 weeks, with no acknowledgement from the development company that this is inconvenient.

The landlords who own the 50% are fine with compensating me some money, but I think the company are being tight.

Does anyone know about legal rights?

AIBU?

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 22/02/2011 20:10

so... it's only half yours, they're fixing all the problems, they've given you another flat, they've paid for removals..

and you want more?

Fernie3 · 22/02/2011 20:11

I was under the impression that if the house wasn't properly liveable then you don't pay rent. When r boiler broke and it took a few weeks to repair (had to do major work on the hall to get accss etc!) we were compensated with reduced rent and also money towards our electricity bill as we had had to heat with electric fan heaters as we had 4 young children.

Yanbu

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 20:11

No, I don't own any of it. I'm renting.

Two friends of mine own 1/4 each, and the company owns the rest.

OP posts:
aPixie · 22/02/2011 20:12

I don't think op owns any of it thisisyesterday

It sounds like a nightmare but they are helping where they can, putting you up somewhere else. Not sure what else should be expected tbh.

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 20:30

We're doing what we can to treat it as an adventure and fun, but I'm dreading packing up all of the stuff in the flat, and then settling into a new place for 4 - 6 weeks.

Fernie, I'd agree. The thing is, it's not unliveable at all. We never hear noises from the neighbours, although the tap in the bathroom leaks sometimes.

So I don't really know how it's going to be much better after all of this anyway Confused

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 22/02/2011 21:26

sorry, yes was not reading properly! the bit where you said "i'm renting" was clearly too much for my tired brain lol

i think you're being unreasonable expecting compensation though. they are doing the right thing... putting stuff right on your flat. and yes, it's upheaval, but it's for your benefit in the long-run.

it isn't like they've said get out for 6 weeks and you've had to find somewhere else to go or anything like that

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 21:48

Hmmm. OK. I'll take that on board.

still grumpy though Blush

OP posts:
A1980 · 22/02/2011 21:52

Sorry OP but YABU. Damages for stress and inconvenience are not available in your situation. They rarely are available under English law.

What's your actual loss? You have to move upstiars for 6 weeks? It's a pain but that's it. You wont get compensation.

ballstoit · 22/02/2011 22:22

YANBU, you are losing time packing and unpacking. I think they should pay for a removable company to do this at the least.

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 22:31

I think that's what bugs me. I'm going to spend time packing all of my stuff up and making sure that the stuff I'll use over the next 6 weeks is in certain boxes which I'll unpack, but other stuff should be packed together as they don't need unpacking.

I thought they'd pay a removal company to pack up the stuff rather than make me spend a day doing it.

OP posts:
sunnydelight · 22/02/2011 22:39

I guess they could have given you notice to quit so they wouldn't have had to sort out alternative accommodation for you. I understand why you're annoyed, but I think it could have been worse tbh.

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 22:40

They can't do that sunny - my flatmate owns 25% of it. So she is getting some benefit in terms of capital value, but only because it wasn't done properly in the first place.

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 22/02/2011 22:42

You are not exactly having to relocate far.. so it wont have any impact on your normal daily routines.

You are only moving stuff upstairs for heavens sakes, and they are sending people to carry it for you..

jenga079 · 22/02/2011 22:47

It sounds like they're being pretty reasonable to be honest (although it is clearly more in your flatmate's favour than yours, maybe she should be buying you dinner!) However, is there not something in your contract about what happens if the flat becomes uninhabitable? I'm pretty sure there was always something in mine when I rented.

FabbyChic · 22/02/2011 22:48

Think yourself lucky they did not cease our tenancy permanently and give you notice to quit which they could have done.

Which would you rather, move upstairs for 6 weeks or have had to find somewhere totally different to live?

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 22:50

Hmmm that's a point. I'll try and find the contract.

My flatmate is being very good about it - completely hats off to her.

The thought of packing everything up is just a PITA. I know it's not the end of the world but it is an inconvenience, and time.

OP posts:
lesley33 · 22/02/2011 23:02

If your flatmates own half of it are you a tenant of your flatmates?If yes then the company has no responsibility towards you at all. Your tenancy and any problems with it, would be down to your flatmates to sort it out.

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 23:04

lesley33 I'm a tenant of both.

OP posts:
TragicallyHip · 22/02/2011 23:12

I'd be pretty fucked off if I had to pack my flat up to move somewhere for 6 weeks due to the flat not being built properly. It would take a few weeks to pack fgs.

I don't blame you for wanting compensation!

lesley33 · 22/02/2011 23:21

The company are giving you another flat to live in and paying for a removal company to move your stuff. I think as they are partly responsible for your tenancy they are treating you well.

Your flatmates who are also partly responsible for your tenancy are not doing anything for you. I understand if they are friends that you might not want them to. However, if you had any other help or compensation this should really be down to your flatmates.

Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 23:25

My flatmates are doing something about it - just haven't posted the details here. They are giving me some money to spend on me as a treat.

They recognise their share of the responsibility, which I'm not sure the development company is.

OP posts:
Original poster
beatenbyayellowteacup · 22/02/2011 23:25

sorry, should be do

OP posts:
GiddyPickle · 22/02/2011 23:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

squeakytoy · 22/02/2011 23:34

My flatmates are doing something about it - just haven't posted the details here. They are giving me some money to spend on me as a treat

lol.. probably just to stop you whinging... Grin

bringinghomethebacon · 22/02/2011 23:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.