AIBU to refuse temporary accommodation for external work to our home?

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Recently we were informed of exterior work to be done to our home (LA property). Nothing inside the house at all. No access needed to complete any of the external work other than access to the garden which is via a side gate not through the property.

We were instructed that for the duration of the work (no specific timeframe just ‘might be a few weeks’ ) that we would be placed in alternative accommodation that was miles away from where we are now and would cause significant issues for us with school as we have two children one with severe SEN. We also didn’t want to leave the house as it would be overwhelming for him to be away from familiarity for no real reason as it’s external work??

So we refused and set out in writing why. We were told no we have to vacate on a certain day. The only reason given when we pushed was ‘it will be noisy’. I said I’m fine to put up with some noise especially as it will only be between 8 am and-6pm. Again they said we need to vacate on the day and provide keys so they have access ??? They dont need access to inside.

The day has come and gone and we have stayed. My housing officer called on day 2 and said we need to allow access to the house while the work is ongoing. I said no as theres no need the work is external. They have said we need to allow access if needed to the team working. I told them again no the said they may need access to facilities! I said in that case they need to get portaloos if that’s the issue.

I then had an email giving another date to vacate for the work and a different address for temporary accommodation? Again I’ve said no. Can they actually force this or is it unreasonable as it’s not interior work ???

It hasn’t even been that noisy at all??

Is it possible that the drains are going to be out of action meaning you can't use water?

It can’t be so they can use the loo. A portaloo costs very little compared the cost of putting you in temporary accommodation.

I would contact school about the situation and see if they can allow some wiggle room given children are SEN and will be unsettled and may be harder to get to school.

Take any important/expensive belongings with you as I wouldn’t trust workmen.

Or that people let their kids annoy the workmen/women. Not saying you'd be like that, OP. But some people might get in their way, or not keep their kids out the way.

I agree.

It's much more likely that the works will involve excessive noise, dust and disruption so it won't be safe or sensible for them to remain in the home while the works are on-going.

I think I’d be fine with them using the toilet and having limited access to the house rather than having to temporarily move

presumably it is beneficial to you to have the work done?

I'm owner occupied. We've had a new roof, whole house re-rendered, new windows, guttering. None of it was that noisy or messy and it would not have occurred to me to move out.

Some of the builders occasionally asked to use the loo and of course I let them. They also needed to plug in electrical equipment so they put an extension cord through a fanlight window. If the OP allows that I can't see any reason she can't stay in the house.

It’s her home. Home. Her home.

It’s probably because you’re still living there so they can’t do the noisy work

Presumably they're looking to access water and power, although why that means you'd need to move out, I don't know.

They aren’t going to be offering alternative accommodation if they don’t need to. They hardly have a surplus of spare accommodation knocking around.
It sounds as if legally or practically, they have no choice. As a pp suggested, your only option is to request more suitable alternative accommodation.

I’ve had work done to my roof.

presume one of your children has autism or similar. Staying put while the work is done is also disruptive.

personally after having had some done I’d always choose to move out for it but you may (obviously do) feel differently

I had a feeling they wanted you to vacate so they could use the loo - and probably the kettle!

Otherwise, I would have thought that as it's a LA house, they do unfortunately have the right to ask you to vacate.

That is really odd. I work for a council and we bend over backwards not to move people for repair works as it’s so costly and so many people waiting for housing. I’d stay put and contact your MP for support

That's what I think too. The bit about the snacks and bathroom use. I've seen how some workmen behave when there's biscuits in the house.

I once knew a lovely guy through British Gas Homecare, hired him privately, as I needed someone to fix my boiler, but he brought an assistant. Assistant was a larger guy, shall we say. I put out a plate of biscuits, about half a pack. The assistant dove onto the plate so hard, he lost his footing and put his foot clean through my poor boiler cover/cabinet which had been removed and put on the floor.

Would assume that it’s health & safety / insurance related. Noise would only be one factor as guessing the work will need ladders / scaffolding which is why they don’t want anyone “on-site”

Have they provided a plan of work so what’s being done & when

‘Facilities’ could be access to water and electrics

I didn’t think trespass was a police matter - you’re lucky they came out

I can’t believe the replies on here. The landlord wants to improve the property. Given the state of some houses that people have to live in I would be grateful. Putting that aside do you all send your children to play on building sites? If they are replacing harling every one on the site should be wearing hard hats and protective clothing. What happens if harling or a tool falls from height? It’s a health and safety issue

So ungrateful. You have property that you rent below the market rate with a damn sight more security. They want to conduct maintenance and improvements at no cost to you at all, something that may cost an owner thousands if not tens of thousands to put right. Presumably you'd be screaming bloody murder if the damp issues got worse.

Stop being difficult and show a bit of gratitude.

There is no fucking way I would allow total strangers to have unfettered access to my house and contents.

Do you want the work done or not? Regardless of the rights and wrongs, if it needs doing then I’d be accommodating if I could. I don’t think that they can be sure that interior access would never be needed (plugging things in/ getting water/ turning the electricity off), and I don’t think I’d mind giving someone access to the loo. We’ve had major projects done, including moving out, and never had a portaloo. Is there even anywhere safe it could go?

I feel for the LA in these situations TBH. I also don’t much fancy paying for portaloos every time someone needs a wall
painting and think there are better things the LA could be spending money on.

Echo other posters that the property will be deemed a building site for the duration of the work hence the family must vacate for safety reasons. LA have not done a good job in communicating the reasons to OP making it sound like they just want to use the toilet

I am sure there is something in tenancy agreement that permits them to request that you vacate.
For health and safety reasons perhaps?

Clearly they don’t want to pay for a portaloo
Clearly they haven’t asked you if that’s OK

Have they arranged for your possessions within the property to be protected

If the reasons are health and safety only then they don’t need access to your facilities

If they respond with H&S as an excuse then you may have to leave. You don’t have to give them your keys though