Posted by
miranda819
17 yrs ago
Six apartments around me are being renovated. I work at night. The management has told me they asked the workers to 'speed things up' but they have permission to work for three months (all apartments).
Do I as a tenant have any rights? I cannot get any sleep and am now at home with the flu - and cannot get any rest.
I have suggested that the people renovating figure out when the heaviest work will be and to put me in a hotel for that stretch.
But legally, I want to know what rights I have. Anyone know?
Please support our advertisers:
That's one of the problems with living in HK. There's just so much construction going on all around us here. You should check first with your building's management office and see what are the rules specific to renovation times (ie- when can they make loud noises). They're usually from 9am to 6pm, anything before or after is not allowed and you have the right to complain to the management first.
In your case, you're best bet is to temporarily sleep in a friend's or family's place in the meantime. That's just the way of life here, I myself have a neighbor's flat currently being renovated and the noises are so f***ing loud that they seem to be in our apartment! To top it off, we have a 2yr. old who naps in the afternoon as well. Sometimes we just can't stand it and have to go to my in-laws place for the day. At the least we all get some rest and keep ourselves sane!
Or you can buy some really good ear plugs and see if that'll work. Good luck!
Please support our advertisers:
I'm going through the same thing. Jackhammers. Whole building vibrates. I turn off their power until I'm ready to go out. You can't do that all day though. In Hk I think you just have to live with it. I dont think you have any legal recourse and doubt very much that anyone will pay for a hotel for you.
Please support our advertisers:
Gentlemen, there is nothing you can do about this. Sometime back in January, there was even talk about NOISE in the Legco and the government totally backed up the Jackhammers convinced that HK is HK because of these jackhammers....future development cannot be stopped because its noisy. I was wondering if they had silencers in guns, why not in jackhammers?
Please support our advertisers:
I don't think there is anything legal you can do especially if the noise is between 9.00am and 6.00pm. An apartment near to us is being renovated, normally they work during the day but earlier this week they were drilling and banging from 10.00pm to 1.00am the next day. I complained to the Management company the next day, their response was, 'ring the police'. They finally agreed to put a notice up in the lobby area outlining the times that renovation was aloud, but that was all they were willing to do.
Hope you feel better soon.
Please support our advertisers:
Lomax
17 yrs ago
Yes there are some things you can do they can do, Check out the noise ordinance and as a tennant you have rights for peaceful tennancy,Genral construction as in mechincal equip restricted to 7pm to 7am domestic noise 11pm to 7am
check govt web page under enviroment.....always follow up on your threats if you say your going to call the police do so.
If your paying management fees make them do some work follow up don't allow yourself to be brushed off.You do have the right of peaceful tennancy
Please support our advertisers:
mdap
17 yrs ago
You are stuck with the noise .... my neighbour spent 7 months renovating her 5 bathrooms, then after two months of silence she started renovating them again as she found a new style she preferred ....
Please support our advertisers:
Unless you tell the landlord your specific situation (i.e. work at night) and there is a specific term in the tenancy agreement which the landlord agrees to make arrangement or compensate for this situation, your rights as a tenant is very limited. The implied covenant of quiet enjoyment may not apply to daytime noise.
Weir & Associates
Solicitors & Notaries
16th Floor Tak Shing House
Theatre Lane
20 Des Voeux Road Central
Central
Hong Kong
Tel : 2526-1767
Fax : 2868-3568
email : weirlaw@hongkonglaw.com
www.HongKongLaw.com/weirlaw
Please support our advertisers:
Subsequent to my previous text: no longer recommend that you turn their power off. I was seen doing it again on Thursday. They go bananas. Violence a distinct possibility.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail