Rental property and scaffolding

[WaltzingWaters]

Probably nothing I can do about it, but I’m not very clued up on renting. We are in a rental property for 6 months whilst some essential renovations are going on at our place, so moved out as it would have been too noisy and dusty there for our baby. We have 1 month left in the rental and pretty sure the LL plans to sell afterwards. Just been informed that scaffolding is due to go up next week and a roofer coming “at some point in September” to do some maintenance.

I’m quite annoyed about the inconvenience and noise (have a baby who naps).But also worried about safety, it’s very hot in this house and ideally need windows open. Some of the windows don’t actually lock properly, not been concerned since all the ground level ones do and we’re on a fairly built up road. Whilst I know it’s still very very unlikely, I’m worried about the house being more appealing to burglars with scaffolding up.

Do I have any grounds to ask them to wait until we leave seeing as we only have a month left anyway? Or is my only option asking them to fix all windows before the scaffolding goes up?

thank you for any advice!

Key Qs:

is it a flat or house?
if flat, how many flats in the building?
if flat, do you know if the LL has a share of freehold?

Also how old is the baby?

It’s a house.

He’s 16 mo (so I guess more toddler now!).

I wouldn’t be so fussed if they said it would just be a few days from x - x. But the way they’ve worded it sounds like the scaffolding will be up the whole month with no idea when the actual work will take place.

If you're concerned then see about getting window locks fitted. Sometimes scaffolds have alarms fitted but that's normally on larger projects.

And just be aware, scaffolders tend to leave scaffold up until it's needed somewhere else as then they don't need to store it anywhere.

I know. Just a pain as we usually just leave the windows open day and night. Won’t be able to do that now without worrying. A pain to be renting due to the renovations at our house then still end up with scaffolding up and work going on whilst paying loads.

Sorry, you took long to reply and I got busy.

1. you are lucky it is a house.
2. first ask LL 2.1 to confirm the scaffoldings are alarmed (alternatively ask them to put locks on your windows- it’s their responsibility to keep the house secure! And 2.2 to confirm the job and/or the scaffoldings will be up for a month otherwise ask them to specify the period for job/ scaffoldings better.
3. emphasise you have a 16 month d baby and say all you said here: naps, disruption. Etc etc
4. hopefully he writes back quicker, or if you feel you can wait for points 1-3 to be noted by LL first, then Aldo ask for alternative accommodation at a hotel nearby as you need access to the house and also because you are about to move out and need to be getting on with that so you don’t delay LL by ending out moving out after due date, and too insufficient notice for you to pack up already now.

hopefully someone else can also comment for you.

Cannot wait

How close is your own house to being habitable, OP? You may be better off going back early.

LL has given you reasonable notice and it sounds like he may want to get the repairs done before winter sets in. Roof repairs are pretty important to keep the property watertight, and he could be reluctant to put it off.

I very much doubt if he'd stump up for alternative accommodation, it's not as though your home will be uninhabitable, just noisy and possibly dusty. I suspect that his duty to keep the building maintained may trump your right to quiet enjoyment.

Asking for window locks for security and for the scaffolding to be alarmed seems entirely reasonable though. Oh, and go out for the day when the scaffolders come. They are really noisy!

He’s probably got very little control over the scaffolding dates. They truly are a law unto themselves. Certainly ask for the safety measures above.

Id also mention that the dust and dirt that will result will impact on your ability to clean the property properly on your departure.

I rent.. As per terms of our listed building house it needed repainting.. Scaffolding went up one March.. After decorating it all up in Halloween it was taken down just in time for Christmas..
I feel your pain op. The scaffolding itself isn't noisey.

Well, I did (next door owners) and they paid. :-) £5k even for 3 weeks which turned into 6 weeks, but I live (owner) in zone 1. I couldn’t stay in the property and some rooms were inhabitable because of the excruciating noise- it was UNBELIEVABLY noisy like being at the dentist and had headaches from struggling to sleep so got my solicitors involved although I sent letters myself. They paid for my solicitors too.

yes, stopping the works is a non-starter. I didn’t read properly about her house, she should move there if she can and maybe refuse to pay rent (not an expert on refusing to pay rent though).

They didn’t even argue as my experience of their works and its effect on me, was well outlined in my first letter,

had roof done last year took a morning if that to put it up
and could open every window
there platforms for them to walk on was gutter level so you couldn’t if used it to get in

Yes, but she can demand for their removal (giving reasons) once job done.

on another property I am involved with- I also have a massive say- the scaffoldings are coming soon lol but the quote says after job done, it gets inspected; once inspected, the scaffoldings are no longer required and in fact the building will be charged more if the scaffoldings remain there for longer- I believe they have a set date for the scaffoldings hire but I will check. I have demanded the scaffoldings are gone once inspection is done and I will be down their throats. Another person involved but with little say had already given them a set date by when they should be removed lol lol. So, they will have no opportunity to mess this building around as it might even be getting close to Christmas by the time they are done so they will remove them as soon as we start demanding it.