Can a landlord do some renovations while I’m still on my lease?

By Tenant

More often than not, when a landlord has the resources to pay for renovations, he will renovate whether you like it or not. So, what are the repercussions when he does decide to renovate?

• Loss of privacy. While the renovations is on-going you as a tenant will have to open your house for the builders to do their job. You will not have the privacy and the peace and quiet all to yourself for a certain amount of time.
• Dust everywhere. There is a lot of work going on so there should be dust flying everywhere.
• Loud Noise. Even though the renovations usually takes place in the morning and you probably won’t notice the noise since you have to work, they may start early and end up late thus disturbing your early morning rituals and your dinner activities.
• Lots of clutter. Tools, debris, pieces of furniture are expected to be lying everywhere and you can’t have guests coming over.

So, the question remains, can a landlord do that while you’re still on lease? Then answer is yes. He has the right to make changes anytime he wants. Provided he notifies you beforehand, doesn’t invade your privacy and makes necessary arrangements for you. A part of his responsibilities is to make sure that his tenants are in a suitable living environment, meaning that if he does plan to renovate, he should:

• Make sure that you are still living in a healthy environment. He should make arrangements for you to be relocated for the meantime if his plans to renovate will make the place uninhabitable for you.
• Make necessary adjustments. Depending on your agreement, he should be prepared to reduce rent or something like that.
• Make sure your things are not damaged.
• Informs you of the schedule or time frame he plans on completing the project.

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