Moving out while landlord renovates apartment

[GreyViper]

I am a tenant who has been happily renting an apartment in London for the last 7 years. My landlord wants to renovate the bathroom. I'm not bothered by it but in fairness I can see why he would want to renovate it. I suppose his original plan was to wait until I leave before doing the renovation, but I have let it be known that I don't plan to leave anytime soon. The renovation would take 2 to 3 weeks. As the work would be quite disruptive, the landlord has asked me to let him know when I'll be away for 2 weeks so the work can be done in that time. But there is never a time when I would be away for that length of time in one go (I have a cat, and usually get someone to live in our apartment with him while I'm away).

I'm not sure what to say to the landlord. What are my tenancy rights in relation to this? I could move out somewhere for 3 weeks, but is it ok to demand that the landlord pays for alternative accommodation or deduct that amount from my rent? I have had a very good relationship with this landlord, and wish to keep it that way. I suspect he has deliberately kept my rent increases modest, as similar apartments nearby are renting for 20% more, and my rental amount has definitely not risen in line with inflation over those 7 years. So I'm keen to keep this relationship on good terms, and to cooperate in a reasonable manner.

Your landlord is within their rights to end your tenancy, refurb and then market the flat in line with market rate which you say is 20% more than what you currently pay. Which is what he may do if you demand he pays for your 2 weeks away from the flat.

I don’t understand why you would want to ask for a deduction in your rent when the landlord is trying to improve your renting experience.

He should pay to rehouse you. If the bathroom had become unusable due to, say, a fire, your landlord would have to pay for alternate accommodation (presumably his landlord insurance might cover those cost).
I'm a landlord. I would ask for a compromise - a half reduction in rent for the inconvenience for example. However if the bathroom is completely out of commission for the whole time then it is unreasonable to ask you to vacate for that time.
I don't buy the 'he will kick you out then raise the rent' argument. But a new bathroom might mean an increase in rent.
Check your lease carefully. There is likely to be a clause about this (flat being uninhabitable). That he is voluntarily making it so seems a moot point.

Could you stay with a friend and ask him to pay for a cattery? Am aware not all cats or their owners work that way, just trying to think of a cost effective way where everyone gets what they want.

Wow, it must be a big bathroom to take that long. I'm a tenant in the middle of bathroom renovations (due to a leak). In three days I had a working shower and vanity, the painter is coming next week. I've been here the whole time. It's the second time I've been through this as a tenant. The previous renovation took a bit longer as it was a bigger room and was the laundry as well. I also stayed there the whole time.

Why does it need to take that long? I had my bathroom done in 3 days and in that only one day was without a working shower/bath. In any case I wouldn't demand anything but ask him if there is any flexibility on the work and if you can stay in the house around it. Do you have a 24/7 gym close to you? You could as him to pay for a month membership and shower there. They don't need to disconnect the toilet until the point that they put the new one in.

If you are paying 20% under market rent, I would put your cat in a cattery and use AirB&B for 2 weeks at your own expense. If you plan to stay long term, doing the math, it’s to your benefit if you are paying under market rent as you will still be coming out ahead a few months down the line.

This was years ago but when renovating our bathroom it took only a few days. A week max. Was a total refurbishment. We did have a separate person do the tiling and the floor but all the necessary items were there so we could continue to stay in our home. No going somewhere else necessary

I am a landlord and twice within the last three of years have had to renovate bathrooms because of leaks. Both took around three weeks. If it is a flat the landlord will want to go back to plaster and add more modern waterproof lining. Add in the replacement of pipework, then fitting and tiling and it takes a while. Don't forget that bathrooms are small so you need trades in in order.

Do you want to stay in the flat? If so it is worth working with the landlord. Would they offer you a longer tenancy without a rent increase? Might they offer you a rent deduction to make up for the inconvenience.

One of my flats had only one bathroom and the tenant kindly offered to shower at work or at her gym. That was a bit of a disaster in that the labourer used by the plumbing firm had a drink problem and did not turn up every day, whilst the tenant was trying to work from home. (Try and find someone who can replace a bathroom in Central London with no notice.) I knocked 50% of the rent off during the building work, and because a good and flexible tenant is a lot less work, have not charged her a rent increase since.

The other tenants were brilliant as well. The previous tenants had not reported a leak from the bathroom into the kitchen so we only found the problem with a new tenancy. Luckily there were two bathrooms, but they applied for parking permits for the builders, allowed materials to be stored in their living room, and even made cups of tea. Though rents in that part of town are soaring we did not even think of a rent increase when the lease came up for renewal, and also offered to replace a couple of draughty windows - something we had wanted to do, but did not have time to arrange between tenancies. Three weeks of inconvenience, but they have now had 18 months of a new bathroom, good double glazing in the coldest bedroom, and a landlord who is happy to sacrifice a bit of rent for a stable and constructive relationship.

Took two weeks to do my bathroom 👍

We recently refurbished a tenants bathroom due to a terrible leak (which we suspect her dad caused by trying to tighten a tap).

We didn’t offer any rent reduction or rehousing costs.

The plumber made sure there was a usable toilet, as in the old toilet was removed and replaced every day while the tilers did their thing. Presumably the tenants used the shower at the gym/parents/friends house.

The pay off for them I guess was they had a brand new bathroom with a suite and tiles that they chose themselves, and we’ve never raised the rent in the 4 years they’ve lived there.

is it ok to demand that the landlord pays for alternative accommodation or deduct that amount from my rent

Sure, you could try and demand payment for alternative accommodation, if you’re not bothered about souring the good relationship and the modest rent increases.

Or you know, you could discuss it reasonably after checking the terms of your rental contract, like a normal person.

Our bathroom took almost 3 weeks but that included removing a very old boiler, installing a new one and completely changing the configuration of the bathroom (except the toilet). However at the end of every day the toilet was still in use so my husband was able to live in the house while the work was going on and he just showered at his mates. I went away for the whole period to some relatives due to medical conditions. If you would be happy with that then stay in the house but just be put all day and make sure the agreement about the toilet is sorted. If it's just old for new it shouldn't be an issue.

Lots of people live in their homes while the bathroom is done.

There is sometimes a short period where the bath or shower isn't working but it's usually possible have the toilet back working each evening.

I think if you are paying 20% under market rate and he's putting a new bathroom in, you should probably suck it up and maybe go away for a week or so and then just live with the works.