hello so i dont know what to do . ive lived in my townhouse for about 8 months and i live on top ( duplex ) . about a month ago my landlord asked me if i was home because she had a guy to check the balcony . Two weeks ago while i was asleep i guess my mom had let her in and she had some guys board up the entrance to my balcony . few days later i text her asking when will the balcony be finished because its starting to get warmer since the lay out of my house the balcony is the best way to recieve fresh air ( not even being dramatic all windows are small and my front door is downstairs ). She then texted back saying ” its not going to be fixed its going to be removed due to new law . Buy fan for your own self convenience.” I was not aware that the balcony was going to be removed when i signed the lease the lease does not mention anything about the balcony. also if its going to be removed shes going to have them plaster a new wall while me and my family are living in the house ?? This is my first time renting i dont wanna be an asshole so like i dont even know what to do ? help
my landlord is taking my balcony
r/Advice
Comments
Fight your right they are trying to trick you
that’s mad shady, she can’t just take away part of your place without telling you straight up or changing the lease. You’re not being an asshole for standing up, I’d def look into tenant rights where you live, ‘cause that sounds illegal af.
She might not have a choice if it’s against the new laws could contact legal aid it’s free and see what they say about it
You are paying rent for what you were given at the beginning of the contract. If she is going to take away part of your access, your square footage, that has to come with a reduction in rent. Here’s your options…. Tell her you need her to open that part back up, or lower the rent because you are receiving lower square footage…. or move out.
Talk to an attorney.
New laws almost always leave existing construction alone unless unsafe.
My guess is that it bothered her to have you use it.
An attorney can likely find this is a breach of the lease. Your remedies depend on where you live and what the contract says.
From reading this I can tell this isn’t the entire story there are major gaps/ details missing. So what is she new law your landlord refers to? If the unit was not up to code and she wanted to rectify that issue ASAP, Landlords are ABSOLUTELY ALLOWED to make repairs to the property at anytime as long as they give you notice. Was it broken or something prior to this?
Next you mention a townhouse and a duplex. Which is it? They are different things.
I don’t know where you are located so do not take this as legal advice although the two other comments here are outraged and encouraging legal action which I doubt would go far in any jurisdiction. Read your lease. Why would your mom randomly let some strange men in your apartment?
In regards to balcony being mentioned specifically in a lease, I wouldn’t expect it to be. It sounds to me like the landlords not doing anything wrong making repairs to a property she owns.
Honestly though this post was kind of ridiculous rage baitish I wouldn’t be surprised in the lesser if this was fake
When I was up rental manager in my state and county here in Iowa we had to remove several balconies from like three or four apartment units we had. The city said that there was something in regards to code and they either had to be upgraded and that would cost too much or we could just remove them. There were some people angry about it but unfortunately it was what it was has they say we had to remove them so we covered up the doors that led to the balcony and put a window in I think I’m most of them. But either way most States if it’s not mentioned in the least the outer portion of the building is not included. Either way good luck
Contact the local code enforcement and ask about the new law. They can come and inspect the balcony for you.
How do you remove a whole balcony?! Is it structurally sound? Do the other townhouses have one? (Usually townhouses are built in rows)