Need urgent help :(

[panpanda]

Sorry to scare you all.
I'm in my second trimester.
Moved in to a new home 2 months ago with a long term contract.
We found out the whole building (fairly new, less than 10 years old) is due some extensive works that's due to fix the fire barrier in the building.
I am due when the building works start and will last for 18 months! I will be with a newborn!
I have a letter from my GP stating it's unsafe for me to live on such conditions and to move out.
The agency's response is absolutely horrible.
They said we will need to pay thousands of pounds if we move out early. And basically that it's our fault. Also called us "ambitious" for saying we must leave soon even though there's still 5 months before the works start.

What do we do?? We did not expect not to have all this hassle let alone pay so much to move twice and they want us to pay on top of that their fees? I'm trying my best to stay calm for the baby but this is a very stressful situation.
Any concrete advice welcome!

Why does your GP think it’s unsafe?
I am very surprised that they would actually write you a letter saying this
I am also confused as to why you need to move out 5 months before the work starts

This sounds horrible, so sorry for you. If you haven't already I'd consider posting this again in another area of MN, maybe legal matters? Might get some advice there about your rights :)

That sounds really stressful. What are your GP's concerns? Depending on what the issues are, you might be able to seek legal assistance? It's difficult to advise without knowing what the concerns actually are, though.

What exactly is unsafe about the works? I can only think asbestos which won't be in a ten year build?

Op take a deep breath and think... they will only work for so many hours during the day, dont freak out from now x

@Scirocco

That sounds really stressful. What are your GP's concerns? Depending on what the issues are, you might be able to seek legal assistance? It's difficult to advise without knowing what the concerns actually are, though.

There will be dust and noise pollution, entrance to the building might be blocked. They might evacuate the residents of the building for a few months. Lots of builders on site etc. They need to work around the whole building skeleton to replace the cladding or something. Both myself and the GP see it unfit to live with a newborn.

Have they actually said they will move people out for a few months, or is that what you think might happen.

TBH I think they will have plans in place to keep the building habitable for residents. It might not be ideal, but it won't be allowed to be dangerous.

Plenty of people renovate their homes with a new baby (every single couple on Grand Designs for a start). You and the baby will be OK.

No building work is fun, but it sounds like you’re overreacting.

The dust will be outside if it’s cladding- get an air purifier if you’re worried?
Noise is a non-issue.
Your entrance will not be “blocked”. They will ensure safe entry/ exit for residents in line with fire safety regulations.
If they’re moving you for the work then surely that solves your problems and you’d be happy?
Builders in the building is hardly an issue, unless they’re going to come into your home and give the baby a kiss and a cuddle?

* I have a letter from my GP stating it's unsafe for me to live on such conditions and to move out.*

Really?

I will bow out
As a i point blank think you’re bull shitting about your GP letter

Tbh I'm a bit baffled at your GP's concern. People renovate their houses all the time with babies around and during pregnancy. Any builders will have to adhere to strict health and safety rules so it won't be a physical danger. Try not to worry OP.

If you're thinking you really don't want to live somewhere in general with these works going on and feel that you have been misled then Shelter may be able to help you but I really wouldn't mention the baby bit as tbh I don't think anyone would take you seriously. At a push you could say that having a baby you never would have moved there had they told you.

Not sure what the issue is. There not coming into your home and chucking dust around and setting off alarms. They are doing important work on the cladding due to fire risks. Bemused at the letter from the GP? Seems really bizarre. No one is asking you to move out or telling you too. You seem to have decided it’s going to be unsafe , noisy and you may need to move. I think you need to get the plan of works and find out what the impact will be

I really don't understand what you've deemed to be a hazard?

The hospital i work in is currently having its cladding changed. It's business as normal, no need to evacuate anyone, no risk to all the babies on the maternity ward.

The work is outdoors. Of course they're not going to block the exit.

If they're replacing the cladding then while it might well be annoying, it's unlikely to be a major hazard and indeed is probably being done to make the building safer.

The firm carrying out the work will have to adhere to safety regulations, so they can't block emergency exits - you'll still have access in and out. Dust could be an issue for, eg people with underlying breathing issues, but you can mitigate that with an air purifier - it also probably won't be huge amounts of dust indoors as the work will be outside. Maybe get more information from the company about what will be involved and when - I'm not an expert in cladding by any means, but I've worked in buildings where cladding replacement has been needed and it's never been a big issue in my experience. Annoying at times, but not unfit to live or work in.

You could always seek some legal advice, but unless you have an underlying health issue meaning that you're particularly at risk from some aspect of this work, I don't think you'll be in a very strong position. You might need to choose whether you're willing to put up with the renovations or whether you're willing to pay your agency whatever fees/charges they require for early termination of your lease.

If the cladding is being replaced as it's not safe and a fire risk they had no business letting the flat out in the first place.

@Oftenithinkaboutit

I will bow out As a i point blank think you’re bull shitting about your GP letter

Yep

Your best shot is to complain that they should never have let the flat to you in the first place without informing you that these works were planned. You could reasonably request a rent reduction to compensate for the disruption.

How long is your lease?