External building work delays are affecting my rent and creating problems for tenants
Maintenance

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9 years ago
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Hi there,

I have a two bedroom flat which has been experiencing leaks in one of the bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom due to a roofing problem and large crack to the external wall of the building. Other flats in the building are also experiencing problems and the insurance company has approved our quotes for internal redecoration to go ahead once the external works are completed. This is all good. However, the only building company which was approved by the insurance company to carry out the external repairs, has delayed starting the repairs for more than 6 months. This delay has meant that the leaks and damage to my property have increased. My tenants are already unable to use one of the bedrooms but now they say their health is being affected by the dampness and black mould in the bedroom and flaking paint in other areas. I have already accepted reduced rent from them for the past few months but now they would like a further rent reduction and reimbursement for an air purifier and filters which they have hired in order to live in the flat. Initially they wanted me to allow them to break the tenancy agreement and move out the flat without penalties but I was reluctant to agree to this. I have contacted the insurance loss adjustor to explain the problems ( health and loss of income) that the delayed building works is causing but was told that tenancy related issues fall outside the scope of the buildings policy. I have also chased the builders several times over the past few months to try and understand when the work would start and be be completed.

I am an inexperienced landlord but I would like to know if anyone can be made accountable for the loss of income I am experiencing and the expenses incurred by the tenant which result from the extreme building work delays.

Hope someone can help!


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