rent reduction

Posted by lotti (61 days ago)

We will move into another flat early June 2008.

When we visited the flat and during negotiations, landlady informed us that the building will have outside renovations-painting and minor repair works until end of May.
The work included scaffolding and green net all around the building!

We heard from neighbours that the scaffolding might last until end of summer- around end of September. It seems correct, because no worker is doing anything since the last 6 weeks.

Is there any chance reducing the rent? Is there any chance asking for compensation?

How is the legal situation? Tenant must accept any condition if landlord is not telling the truth?

Please kindly help us to sort out this matter-Thanks, lotti

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by mark_larsen2 (61 days ago)

The landlady informed you, thus told you the truth. Also, that is a building renovation, not the flat you want to rent. You have no grounds to ask for a rent reduction.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by lotti (61 days ago)

The landlady informed us that the renovation will be finished by end of May! That means she did not tell the truth! Renting the flat will be influenced by outside condition such as scaffolding! If we would have know that it will take longer than she mentioned we would have decided for option B=another flat!
I hope the situation is clearer now.thanks, lotti

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by flokhk (61 days ago)

The renovation will finish by end of may, did they tell you what year? That's what happened to my house when I had it renovated, a few months lasted for more than a year. They won't tell you the truth especially if you already paid.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by 288 (61 days ago)

Still unclear whether you have entered into an agreement or not. If in doubt, why did you not put into a term of the agreement that a lesser rent in the sum of.......... be paid if renovation not completed by........ Advisable to consult a lawyer on drafting/approving the terms of the agreement if the rent is substantial.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldavy (52 days ago)

Lotti,

You have no proof that the landlady lied to you. Maybe she didn't know, maybe she honestly believed that the work would finish at the end of May. Anyway, as I said in reply to your posting on the Property forum, your flat is habitable and so there's no legal recourse for you to get a rent reduction.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by maxis (48 days ago)

I can't agree on this point.

1. see reply on other thread

2. sure property owners makle mistakes, but they certainly make them in their own favour.

3. when did you last hear a landlord say "oh, forgot to tell you, all the gym gear is being replaced, there are two car spot on this title so you dont have to rent an extra one for your wife/husband, and we won't jack up your rent when we get a second minibus due to demand by tenants".

4. yeah facious (not sarcastic), just have a thinnk about the last time a lanlord omitted to tell you something, and that something was in your financial benfit and their loss

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ldavy (46 days ago)

maxis,

You may not agree - come to that, neither do I - but as far as I am aware, there is no legal way of getting a rent reduction. The owner may have made a mistake, or may have deliberately lied, but the fact remains that the flat is still habitable.

(I am based in Hong Kong)