I have a lease in an apartment in Boston, MA and my landlord wants to turn our pantry into a half bathroom. The issues I have with this are:
1) The other "construction" they are doing, which started in the summer, has basically consisted of demo, and then been left completely untouched. I don't want my apartment to be in demo for the next 9 months.
2) I don't want construction people in my apartment with my stuff while I'm at work, which is their plan.
3) I don't WANT to lose more storage for a useless bathroom, darn it! The main reason we wanted the apt was for the storage!
Any suggestions? I know it's "their" house, but seriously.
2007-11-11 09:46:04 · 6 answers · asked by dfnucshnajsif 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Moving is obviously not an option...as I stated there is a LEASE.
2007-11-11 09:59:18 · update #1
I doubt your lease gives your landlord permission to remodel your apt while you're living in it and paying rent for it. He's basically depriving you of the property you're paying for.
Were he to do this ethically, he would wait for your lease to be over, then he would do the work, then re-lease the unit. Of course he would lose money on the rent, and he knows this. It's ridiculous that he thinks you should pay to live in a partially demolished apartment.
You could move out, then sue him for constructive eviction. This means he forced you out of the apartment by his actions. This will entail a small claims court case. You should contact a tenancy advocacy organization in Boston to see how you might get your landlord to stop doing unnecessary remodeling on your unit while you're living in it. You might also try talking to him about financial compensation for the loss of the apartment you've already experienced.
2007-11-11 10:01:35 · answer #1 · answered by chuck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While it is true you have a lease, which is an agreement you must live up to, he has to live up to his end of the bargin as well. You didn't lease an apartment that was half demolished, nor did you agree to allow people in and out of the place, invading your privacy, for months on end either. Tell your landlord NO, he may not do remodeling while you are in the apartment. If he persists, insist that he let you out of the lease, returning your FULL deposit so you may move into suitable housing. Call the housing authorities if you need to.
2007-11-11 14:17:45 · answer #2 · answered by missbeans 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your local Housing Authority to learn if it is legal for a Landlord to come in and remodle the bathroom while you are living in it against your wishes. That is the best way to learn exactly what your rights are. There should be ordinances or state laws concerning Landlord Tenant relations which will either allow or prohibit this. Before you express your dismay to the Landlord, you need proof in writing in the way of written law in effect which states that the Landlord is not allowed to encroach on your rights as a tenant in this manner!
2007-11-11 10:28:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think you should have some rights, if they are disrupting your everyday living and making it inconvienient for you to live day to day, then you should be able to get out of your lease if this is bothering you, it's something that is not a neccessity that he is doing therefore he is bothering you and maybe you can get out of your lease or negotiate lesser rent for the inconvienience this is to you. You definately have rights if you leased it the way it was before they started changing it unneccessarily.Maybe consult a Lawyer.
2007-11-11 10:16:17 · answer #4 · answered by 24Special 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the terms of your written lease.
2007-11-11 09:49:03 · answer #5 · answered by raichasays 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
"I know it's "their" house, but seriously."
It it their house. Your paying them to live there. If you don't want to live there anymore, move. Maybe look into buying your own house.
2007-11-11 09:54:11 · answer #6 · answered by Ruby Girl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋