What are your rights when renovating a home?

Questioner

Hello, Last week they started renovating my house (big project, whole block is closed off) At first there was nothing wrong, I did have to take half a day off to pack everything and then spent all evenings, for a week, emptying my house. I let it be known that I would continue to live there during the renovation. I did not receive any 'against' advice, although a construction worker did say to me one morning; that will be tough. And he was right, with everything covered in dust, spiders coming from everywhere, no proper toilet, no water it's not possible. There is a house available for showering, but it is open from 7:30 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. I work 40 hours, which doesn't make much sense to me. Last week I HAD to take a few days off to 'escape'. With no people nearby to turn to, I went to Breda (2.5 hours away). Taking multiple days off is not an option. That is why my parents decided to postpone their trip, with the camper, to let me stay with them. All in all, I am already incurring a lot of costs, which I am very annoyed about. I emailed the housing association, but they said I had to contact the contractor. I then emailed them, but I get no response. Where I used to have daily contact, now that it is about compensation, there is no response anymore. I assume there is some kind of compensation for this. The house is really not healthy to sleep in, there is no room that is not being worked on. I would like to know what my rights are. Kind regards

Lawyer

The landlord is primarily the party that must provide alternative housing, shower facilities, etc. and not the contractor, unless agreements have been made with the contractor.

Questioner

Thanks for the response. No replacement was provided and when I called housing they kind of laughed that I said I couldn't live there. (just like every other neighbor) Their word against mine... Habitable or not, compensation or no compensation.

Lawyer

It is possible to bring this before the rent committee. They will then start an investigation into your living comfort. They will then make a judgment about this. If this is in your favor, you can confront the landlord with this. If he still does not want to cooperate, you can bring the case before a judge. If you would like further help and/or advice, please feel free to contact me.

Questioner

I have tried to find out a few things about the rent commission, but I always end up at the legal desk. I have already contacted them and they have referred me including a diagnosis document. Do I really need to have an independent party assess whether it was uninhabitable? No one from my block stayed. Now that they are working in the block across from me, it is dark in the evening. Everyone has fled. I have already started contacting lawyers, but I just hoped there would be another way.

Lawyer

That is the wisest thing to do, but you can also immediately opt for a lawyer and contest it.