To ask them to pay for cleaning?

[Goostacean]

We live in a Victorian terraced house and the flat downstairs is now being extended and totally renovated. They’re taking out everything except the barest bones. Today was the first day of works and based on the dust so far, I will have to clean everything in my kitchen for the next six to ten weeks before I can use it. I’ve left footprints in the dust, it’s that bad.

WIBU to ask the owner (who also happens to be our freeholder) for a deep clean of the rooms of our property above theirs, or even the whole place, once their shell is sealed and work is taking place indoors?

Not unreasonable at all OP

Absolutely reasonable request. It must be so much noise and upheaval for you.

It’s horrendous. Apparently the project should last 6 months... I’ve got two under 3 at home as well so it’s even like I can cut corners with the cleaning- they’re always playing on the floor, need clean utensils etc...

You can but ask. They aren't under any obligation to pay for it but they might pay for a one off clean at the end.

Sorry to sound vacant but where is the dust coming in; through the windows or you mean on your shoes?
If that much was coming in I’d be worried about breathing it in too.

What if you had asthma?

Give them a chance to put it right and if they’re not responsive, complain to the planning folk at the council.

My next door neighbours are building an extension which is causing dust in our house and on our windows.

I wouldn't dream of asking them to pay to clean it for me.

It's annoying but it's only dust and really doesn't take that long to wipe away.

Here’s a picture of the some contents in one of the drawers in my kitchen, after only 6hs or so of work today...

It’s coming up through the cracks and flooring, I think. Not on our shoes. Windows have been shut all day but I thought I’d set fire to my toast this morning as I walked in and the kitchen looked smokey, but it was just dust in the air!

@Goostacean

Here’s a picture of the some contents in one of the drawers in my kitchen, after only 6hs or so of work today...

It’s coming up through the cracks and flooring, I think. Not on our shoes. Windows have been shut all day but I thought I’d set fire to my toast this morning as I walked in and the kitchen looked smokey, but it was just dust in the air!

Oh wow! Yes I’d ask about the cleaning. I doubt they even know it’s that bad in your flat. I wonder if there is anything you can out over the floor to Prevent so much coming through.

That's terrible OP. Any soft furnishings will be ruined. This isn't just about cleaning.

Is that a bowling bowl for someone with long fingers?

If the air quality is that bad, I would have thought that environmental health should be called - that amount of dust in a short amount of time would need masks on :(

YWNBU. We've recently had works done and offered to pay for window cleaning for neighbours. I'd be mortified to leave dust like that in anyones home, I'd much rather they told me so I could pay to have it cleaned.

OP what is that in the drawer?

I would ask about cleaning, definitely!

You can ask, but they may not agree.

Could you get one of those long, sausage looking draught excluders to put behind the doors? Can you see where the dust is getting in? Any gaps in the floor boards you could put a rug over?

Last winter we bought an air purifier because we live on a busy main road with a bus stop. Its made a massive difference- when the windows are shut. No longer do I have a black, soot layer on the window sill. Ours was very expensive, but I have concerns about the toxins as we are TTC and wouldnt want any kids breathing the fumes in. Ours is an IQ AIR gas, but there are many other brands available.

Is that a bowling ball? ha sorry Op but

That level of dust sounds awful. If it's coming up through cracks in the kitchen floor(?) could you put down a temporary floor covering, lino or something?

Yes to asking for a professional clean, not unreasonable.

To be honest I'd be quite concerned by that level of (120+ year old) dust from a health point of view. We've renovated Victorian properties before and you don't want to be breathing that crap in, especially not for your little ones. I'd speak to them tomorrow. They possibly have no idea how bad it is and perhaps you could find a solution.

Is that a bowling bowl for someone with long fingers?

Don’t be ridiculous, what sort of maniac would keep their bowling balls in the kitchen?

Looks like I’m not being that U, then...

If you are cleaning it up constantly then get some pictures of how bad it is, the dust in the air and on surfaces, window sills etc as evidence. The bowling ball pic is a good start.

Speak to them, then make sure you keep a paper trail
Take loads of photos & show them
That's really bad for your health
I'd be prepared to take them to court if they refused , hopefully they are nice people though

You shouldn’t be breathing that.

Neither should your small children.

Get them up to see

Please let us know what that red thing is.

Right, I’m going to call the council in the morning and find out where I stand, because that will dictate the tone I take with the builders. And then I’ll go from there. Thanks for emboldening me!

@saveforthat

Please let us know what that red thing is.

Haha, it’s weighing scales...

That level of dust would rip me over the edge.
I’ve endured it for my own renovation when I had toddlers and I almost had a breakdown

The thought of having my flat like that due to someone else’s work would be unbearable

You cannot manage that with little ones in the house- it’s not safe.

Take loads of photos
Speak to environmental health and the owner
Get a lawyer!

Whatever the council day I’d go in trying to be nice. Perhaps they would pay for that sticky plastic covering that you would normally put on your own carpets when doing work? That would keep the dust from coming up through the floor.