Our landlord suggested to do minor repairs on the pool and we agreed to a two week timeframe for the work completed. Once started, the landlord changed his mind and is now doing major renovations incl our outdoor living space without consulting us before. We told him that we are not happy for the work to be done during school holidays and summer. Out of " good will" he will reduce the rent by 100$ a week ( we pay 1450$ )if the work takes longer than two weeks. We want our quality of life back and for the children to use the pool while it is summer. There is be guy working on the job, of retailing the whole pool, wall and doing a repairs on the deck.

Ok, since it is winter in the US, now, and months till summer, where are you located, since laws differ greatly.

Also how do you pay rent ? By the week ?

Do you have a written lease and what does it say ?

What is the time frame for the job to be completed, two months ? 4 months, have you asked contactor

Your Landlord is entitled to effect repairs as necessary while you are a tenant, he needs to be able to do so in order to maintain the property - which is his duty as a landlord.

You can't dictate when these repairs are done. Keep in mind that for one reason or another some repairs can not be put off until it is more convenient for you.

It is often a good thing that you have a landlord who is willing to do repairs and maintain the property you live in, you might find yourself far worse off if it was the other way around.

In my experience it is not uncommon that minor repairs grow into major repairs for reasons outside anyone's control so your landlords initial notice probably suffices as sufficient notice of the ongoing work. But if the "major renovations" you mention are completely unrelated to the pool area this might not be the case, not sure there, perhaps check your tenancy agreement.

It is a shame not to have your pool to use in summer, but it is summer after all so you might want to consider taking the kids to the beach/lake/local pool to cool off, they'll probably be grateful for the experience. If your landlord has been generous enough to offer you $100 a week off your rent (which he is not obliged to do) then this will be more than adequate to cover any associated costs.

When our family found ourselves in a similar situation to yours, we were lucky enough to have another area we could retreat to. Do you have an alternative outdoor living space you could set up to use until the repairs are completed? Hopefully given it is summer where you are, the weather will be good and repairs will be completed faster than they would have been in winter and think how nice it will be when it is all finished! I guess it is a "cup half empty or half full" thing.

If you want to make waves with your landlord over the issue just remember that someone other than yourselves might end up enjoying the renovations next summer if you fall out with your him.

You can't dictate when these repairs are done. Keep in mind that for one reason or another some repairs can not be put off until it is more convenient for you.


While that is often true its not universal. In the OP's case, the repairs being made may not be essential. Definitely not essential to the living quarters. A tenant has the right to enjoy the use of their property and if the landlord interferes with that tight there is an issue.