Who's being awkward, landlord or I ?

[buttersquashsoup]

I live in a block of flats and around 6 months ago there was a leak coming through my bathroom ceiling from the upstairs neighbours shower room. All fixed now but the ceiling and walls need repainting. I’m not actually that fussed about it and just glad the leak is fixed but understandably the landlord wants it redecorating. He’s hired a local painter to do the job and pictures have been sent but he wanted to have a proper look to see what the damage was. Landlord gave him my number so he could deal directly with me as it just made things easier. So far, I arranged for him to pop round 3 times and he let me down on every occasion, no text or phone call to say why. Finally he came round tonight and has now asked if he can do the job next weekend and has quoted two days to do the work.

I work full time with weekends off and given that it’s lock down and I can’t go anywhere I’d really prefer to have my home to myself (can hardly lounge around in my pyjamas whilst he’s here). I’m more than happy for him to do the work during the week between the hours of 7am-6pm (I’m usually home by 6:30) but I think weekends should be off limits, I think that’s fair?. Given his unreliability, I’m wary of the work taking longer than quoted as well. When I spoke to my landlord and asked if the work could be done during the week, he said it would be difficult as the painter has a full time job and weekends are his only free time. I don't think my problem though?. I’m tempted to say that I don’t mind waiting until he can squeeze me in during the week. I personally wouldn’t say the work is urgent.

I’ve always got on well with my landlord and don’t want to rock the boat but AIBU for wanting to enjoy my home in peace?

around a full* time job

How big is the job? Two days sounds excessive unless it's a full ceiling and walls and paintwork,?

I agree with a pp, good tradesman who you trust and do a good job are hard to come by. The painter may be the LL's friend and he gets mate rates but he's probably paying him yes because of the price but also because he knows what his work's like.

I think I would just suck it up and let him do it at the weekend. It's not ideal at all but it is just one weekend and your bathroom will be back lovely and fresh like it was before. I wouldn't sour your relationship with the LL.

I’m with @dontdisturbmenow, to be honest. We’ve had the same - leak from upstairs shower, needed repainting - getting anyone interested without having other things for them to do was a right pain, and that was before Covid. It’s just not lucrative work; so it’s likely to be too small for a lot of painters, and most of the people happy to do it will be people who do it as an extra job at weekends.

That said, if you’re not fussed about it being there; talk to the landlord and see if you can agree to delay it for a few months until it’s nice enough that you can go out for a bit of the weekend.

YANBU. You are saying there are 5 days a week you're happy to have them in, but you're entitled to have quiet enjoyment of your home on a weekend. Landlord needs to get someone in Mon-Fri, esp as you're happy to wait. You absolutely should not have to do the job yourself - one of the big positives of renting is that you don't have those kinds of responsibilities!

Personally, I would suck it up. But then, I would let the painter in and slob around in my sweats for the weekend. I would hate for someone to be in my house without me being there.
Also, if he needs 2 whole days to complete it. It is unlikely to be a small job.
That said, it is your home, if you don't want to do it, then speak to your landlord about leaving it until after lockdown when you can be out of the property. You are not unreasonable to want it done at a time that suits you, but some compromise may be necessary.

All the building tradespeople I know are rushed off their feet atm, especially those whose work is mainly indoors.

I'd suck it up, or it might not get done for ages.

3 times to be let down would give me the rage.

Too much of an inconvenience.
Based on him being flakey I would say no to the land lord until he can do it during the week.

He could well start it and not turn up.
Not dependable.

I get it's a bit inconvenient and you'd prefer in the week but I probably wouldnt make a fuss for one weekend.... If you're awkward about this why would he pull out the stops when you need something doing, its give and take.

I think he is. He should find a painter who can work during the week.

How come customer is king in every aspect of life except renting?
Well that's not the case. If your local hairdresser opens at 10am, they won't open at 7am just for you one day because it suits you.

I think you are being a bit U. Itd be difficult to find a decent, professional painter is going to be interested in such a small job and if you fid thered be every chance they'd want to slip it in at a weekend too.

I think it's reasonable to say that if it can only be done at the weekend, you'd like to wait until after lockdown has eased.

Landlords tend to have a very selfish point of view in my experience. They are happy to take your money every month that's paying off their mortgage for them, but don't seem to be so quick to meet tenants half way on anything. They tend to be very entitled in my opinion. I've rented for 15 years, 3 landlords during that time and I've never caused any of them a moments trouble, always pay on time and keep the property pristine, but whenever I've needed something done it's been dragging of heels or just plain ignoring. Yet when they want something done... well you have to jump to their demands don't you?

I'm actually pretty proud of op for saying something to the landlord, I never ever have. Just keep quiet and do as I'm asked but wish I was more ballsy!

As a pp mentioned, I don't think he'll be a professional painter decorator if he's needing to fit this around full-time job.
I can see both sides a little, but I'm more inclined to say YANBU after being let down so many times.

Not unreasonable to agree a time that is convenient for you at all. Tell landlord that a weekday is the only appropriate time. It's your home and you have the right to peaceful enjoyment.

You are, for saying 'or I' in the title instead of 'or me'!

Have you got another loo you can use whilst he is there working? Is not be impressed at all by your landlords suggestion.

@chocatoo completely misses point of the thread....

Anyway, if the work must be done on a weekend, I think it would be a good idea to ask if it can be put on hold, at least until lockdown eases. It wouldn't be too bad if I could go out somewhere for the day. Thanks for all the advice!

@Daisydoesnt oh and no other loo I can use!