Hi,
Anyone on here got any experience or knowledge about tenancy agreements?
I've had a good look through the website:
http://www.minhousing.govt.nz/tenancy-index
but can't find what I'm looking for.
Here's the deal. When we moved in to our rental flat, the land lady made us aware that some works needed to be carried out on the balcony. Nothing major, just re-tiling and painting. Fine, no worries.
What is actually happening is the complete re-rendering of the whole apartment block and replacement of waterproofing all ourdoor areas which involves digging up all tiles, concrete etc and replacing. Then onto all the plaster work. We thought the worse of it was over and we didn't mind to much as I negociated a rent decrease, but the work looks like it's got months to go (mainly due to a bad sub contracting and they're having to redo most of the work already done). It was suppose to be completed in April, having started in November, but I'm guessing it's going to be at least another 3 months.
So, I'm starting to get a bit irritated now I really just want to know where I stand. Here's the key issues.
* I'm paying $50 per week less in rent ($500 instead of $550)
* We were given no written notice of works.
* We were only given 24 hrs notice (phone call) before the works actually started (although we knew it would be happening at some point).
* The works being carried out are substanially more that what was implied when we took on the rental.
* We're not updated as to when works are happening, when they are happening and when they need to access the flat. I actually had them knocking on the patio doors minutes after we found out my FIL had passed away. I'm sure you can imagine my language
* There's nothing stated on the agreement about works.
* We've had no natural light in the flat for 3 weeks and counting due to a taupaulin over the balcony. This has also happened before for a period of approx 4 weeks.
I guess what I want to know is...
* am I entitled to some sort of compensation?
* should I ask for a further reduction in rent (the reduction was agreeded due to the lack of access to the balcony during the works)?
* my lease is until the beginning of July. Can I be held to that, bearing in mind the reasons for leaving?
Thanks
Milliemoo