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covenant of peaceful enjoyment

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corgi10

Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA
Our landlord wants to install a gas stove and gas line, and rip out the current stove. We've said the old stove is fine, we don't want the considerable hassle installation of the new stove and gas line would incur. There is no safety problem with the old stove; the landlord just wants to upgrade the house. I believe we can make him wait until our lease period is ended, on the grounds it would interfere with our peaceful enjoyment of the property. Agree? Thanks for any help.
 


Alaska landlord

Senior Member
Why would you object to a new stove? You need to get with the program and avoid getting the reputation of a PITA tenant with your present and future landlord. What is the real reason you don't want the landlord to see the apartment/house?
 

corgi10

Junior Member
The old stove is fine. The installation of a new gas line and stove would involve three days of workmen coming in and disrupting my life and work day (I work at home.) Plus, every time they come in like this, the workers make a huge mess and don't clean up afterwards. They've done this sort of thing four times, and twice left gaping holes in the walls for months. (Not to mention, didn't fix the exposed-pipe problem they were there to fix, which resulted in our having to keep the hot water running every time the temperature goes below freezing.) I don't know what a PITA is, but I have no problem with letting the landlord in to see the house when necessary, and let them in when they ask.
 

FarmerJ

Senior Member
Cor first question , ( you can find out from city) in your city /county do they require licensed contractors w permit to do gas line work when there is no gas line present in order to switch from a electric appliance to gas? If they do then there is no way its gonna take a licensed plumber /heating contractor 3 days to put in gas line. If any part of the work is left incomplete take pics and send written complaint to the LL asking for the work to be completed in a reasonable time. If the work is not then call your city /county building inspections desk and ask if they can send a inspector out.
 

Cvillecpm

Senior Member
The landlord can justify the upgrade....blame Global Warming/Al Gore....in a few years, the govnmt will DEMAND that owners make energy efficient upgrades - with or without your permission.

You have no right to object and the landlord only needs to provide you REASONABLE notice....
 

FarmerJ

Senior Member
Cor like it or not this not unreasonable for your LL to want to do this especially since electric cooking cost more. So if your LL has not started the work seriously send out a letter to the LL after you learn if a permit is required from your city /county tell the LL in the letter about past experiances with mess and clean ups due to work being done and ask that the LL see to it the plumber cleans up any messes made since inspections comes out to inspect the work after. If there is no permit or inspection requirement then plan on taking pictures of any messes created and keep them as part of a paper trail regarding experiances with the LL and send written complaint about the mess left behind.
 

Cvillecpm

Senior Member
Follow FarmerJ's advice and make sure you ask your NEW landlord about any intended upgrades before you sign a lease.

If you want to remain in the unit with a gas stove, do not follow this advice...if you want to MOVE and see what type of cooking source your new rental unit has, then follow his suggestion.

The permit does NOT need to be pulled until the day of the installation (they just want the $$$$) and a licensed plumber will hook it up IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECS of the GAS/PROPANE co....

Kudos to your landlord for upgrading his rental property even if it is for a PITA tenant!!
 

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