SearchLosing sleep over wall problem
Brian asks:
(updated on Monday, November 04th 2013)
We have just moved into a two-bedroom unit. Our concern is that the wall separating the bedrooms does not meet the ceiling and therefore any activity (such as breathing) echoes through to the other bedroom. I am locked into the lease for a year ... but I fear for our health as nobody at present is getting much sleep. Please, what can I do? Thanks, Brian.
Our Experts Answer:
This sounds like a non-permitted house, which could mean a council inspector needs to be called in at once. They can then deal with the owner too.
You can also deliver a 14-day notice to the owner and if they don’t remedy the situation then you can apply to the Tenancy Tribunal for a work order. The fact that you have a fixed-term contract might not be a problem as the Tenancy Tribunal has the power to void it (and release you from the tenancy) if they agree that the problem is serious - especially if the council inspector thinks so too. I am curious why you agreed to rent the place without noticing the gap at the top of the wall? And was it mentioned or discussed before you moved in or is it recorded on the tenancy condition report?
Most Read
| AIA - Go Home Loans | 4.00 |
| Unity First Home Buyer special | 4.15 |
| SBS FirstHome Combo | 4.29 |
| ICBC | 4.49 |
| Kainga Ora | 4.59 |
| SBS Bank Special | 4.69 |
| Unity Special | 4.80 |
| China Construction Bank | 4.85 |
| Co-operative Bank - First Home Special | 4.89 |
| TSB Special | 4.99 |
| Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ | 4.99 |
| China Construction Bank | 4.95 |
| Kainga Ora | 4.95 |
| ICBC | 4.99 |
| SBS Bank Special | 5.29 |
| Unity Special | 5.29 |
| Westpac Special | 5.29 |
| Co-operative Bank - First Home Special | 5.29 |
| ANZ Special | 5.35 |
| ASB Bank | 5.35 |
| BNZ - Std | 5.35 |
| AIA - Go Home Loans | 5.35 |
| SBS Bank Special | 5.49 |
| ICBC | 5.65 |
| Kainga Ora | 5.69 |
| ASB Bank | 5.75 |
| BNZ - Std | 5.75 |
| AIA - Go Home Loans | 5.75 |
| Westpac Special | 5.75 |
| Kiwibank Special | 5.89 |
| Co-operative Bank - First Home Special | 5.89 |
| TSB Special | 5.99 |
| China Construction Bank | 5.99 |
| SBS FirstHome Combo | 3.29 |
| AIA - Back My Build | 3.34 |
| SBS Construction lending for FHB | 3.79 |
| CFML 321 Loans | 4.20 |
| ICBC | 5.39 |
| Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ | 5.69 |
| Co-operative Bank - Standard | 5.69 |
| Kainga Ora | 5.79 |
| Pepper Money Prime | 5.99 |
| Unity Standard | 6.04 |
| Unity Special | 6.04 |
