To want to cancel our tenancy agreement

[wildsummerdreams]

Hi all MN 👋🏻

We have a short hold fix term tenancy agreement and rent directly from a private landlord. However, our building is run by our local authority. Now they are carrying maintenance / repair works in the buildings and to our astonishment, the workers have asked us to move out for a few days, as they need to put up scaffolding and will be blocking the entrance to our flat. Note that a few days might be a couple of weeks or a few months in this case.

I've looked at our tenancy agreement and it doesn't say anything about this scenario. I would like to cancel the agreement and getting a full refund of our deposit, AIBU? Anyone has been in these situations or know what to do? Thanks

That seems a bit of an overreaction. Have you actually contacted your landlord and asked if they'll cover a hotel or alternative accommodation for a few nights? Or reduce the rent for the month to cover it? It's not exactly their fault that this work has to be carried out and that the workers need to put scaffolding at the entrance. It's just one of those things, and it seems a bit strange to want to cancel your tenancy agreement over, unless you're unhappy about other stuff.

If the repairs are necessary this will be included in your agreement. I doubt if you would be able to cancel your fixed term agreement but you may well be able to negotiate a rent reduction depending on how long the work goes on. The first thing you should do is speak directly with your landlord, Always always the best move. Be reasonable, not enraged and you may be pleasantly surprised

Thanks for the advice. My landlord has been nightmarish and unresponsive in the past, until I threatened with legal action. I'm also unhappy about a bunch of other stuff (internal repairs not being done, crazy neighbours...). I have children and it's been horrible for them since we moved in. Then the works in the building started. So this has been like the last drop. I can't afford to go to a hotel nor do I want to... surely they can't force us out of our home?

Try contacting the Citizens Advice Bureau or Shelter: england.shelter.org.uk/get_help