Rude awakening at 7am

[elena77]

What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania

My boyfriend and I are renting an apartment in the apartment complex. Last saturday, at 7 am we were awaken by the extremely loud noise coming from the roof. We occupy the third floor, so it seemed like the roof is going to fall on our head. The wall around the light bulb right outside the apartment door got cracked. Coulpe of times the noise was so loud, I screamed. My boyfriend was very sick and needed a lot of rest. I went outside and tried to talk to the workers on the roof but no one heard me. While I was on the parking lot, a metal pipe fell off the roof, nearly missing me (Thank God I walked away just seconds before).

I tried calling the office but no one was there. I left a message asking them to call me back. I also called maintenance emergency but they said I have to call the office and there is nothing they could do. I called the police and they said they do not have the officer to send out and as soon as they will get someone they'll sen dthem. Then I called the township police, where a very nice lady explained that this is not a police matter. The apartment hired the contractors to work on the roof and legal working hours are 7am - 7 pm, Monday through Saturday.

The nightmare continued, and it was already about 8:30 am. Finally we had to leave and go to the nearest dinner. It was way to early to bother any of our friends or family.

Later that day someone called me from the office saying that roofers were just trying to beat the heat and that's why they started working so early. When I tried to reason with her, explaining that it was 7am on Saturday(!!!) she became rude and said that she will not argue with me and that I will get a call abck from Management on Monday.

My question is whether there is anything I can do to prevent being mistreated and disregarded by the apartment management? Who is right in this particular situation? I believe that we pay rent and comply with apartment rules, and so we are entitled to have peace and quiet at such an early hour during weekends.What is the name of your state?

[Zigner]

I was up at 7 am on Saturday
You can ask the apartment management to have the workers start a little later, but they are not required to do so. Also, this is a short-term inconvenience. I'd say that you should get up a little earlier while the work is going on. Maybe take a brisk walk to that local diner for a cup o' joe

[BL]

It would have been nice if the Apt. management gave tenants the heads up that work was going to be preformed , it was not mandatory .

The work was being done during the required hours .

I've lived in places where the roof was being replaced,siding put up , etc .

It's just something you have to get through .

Think of it this way . What If ? the roof leaked puddles and ruined your belongings ?

[elena77]

I have no objections to having roof fixed, but I would appreciate if it was not done at 7am on weekend. I work all week, getting up at 6 am, and I want to sleep later on weekend. Plus my boyfriend beeing sick, it was very difficult for him to get out of the house. They could have done repairs during the work week or at least after 8 am.

So basically what you guys are saying that I do not have a right for peace and quiet in the privacy of my apartment at a very early hour? And there is nothing can be done to prevent that?

[BL]

Originally Posted by elena77

I have no objections to having roof fixed, but I would appreciate if it was not done at 7am on weekend. I work all week, getting up at 6 am, and I want to sleep later on weekend. Plus my boyfriend beeing sick, it was very difficult for him to get out of the house. They could have done repairs during the work week or at least after 8 am.

So basically what you guys are saying that I do not have a right for peace and quiet in the privacy of my apartment at a very early hour? And there is nothing can be done to prevent that?

1 ) There is a difference between your right to private enjoyment of your rental , and repair work being preformed .

2 ) No, there's nothing illegal being done , they are working within the times allowed , and you are inconvenienced for a while is all .

[elena77]

but what about the crack in the wall, right outside the door? Will I be blamed for it or is it their responsibility to fix it?

Also is it OK to just scare tenants to death without warning them about the repair?

[BL]

Originally Posted by elena77

but what about the crack in the wall, right outside the door? Will I be blamed for it or is it their responsibility to fix it?

Also is it OK to just scare tenants to death without warning them about the repair?

Advise management of the crack and how it occurred . It's outside of your unit .

You have been answered about the work .

This is a legal forum , not an emotional support forum , get over it .

[MyHouse]

When you rent you have to accept that things like this can happen. Be glad that the landlord takes good care of the building. I do think it would have been nice of the landlord to post a notice about the repairs being done so that the residents would not be alarmed! Perhaps you could ask the landlord nicely to please let you know next time something like this is going to happen. Be as pleasant as possible.

[Ozark_Sophist]

And when I worked the midnight to 8 am shift, I hated workers walking on the roof all day.

[Cvillecpm]

Roofers were working as allowed by city government statutes....If your BF was sick, he should have gone to another room in the apt, or you could have gotten a motel room or BOSE head phones.

Your expecting the roofing crew to stop doing the job that feeds their family is WAY out of line. Roofers starting early in the AM is routine as you were advised - beat the heat. The good news is that they quit at 3 or 3:30PM.

[elena77]

Originally Posted by Cvillecpm

Roofers were working as allowed by city government statutes....If your BF was sick, he should have gone to another room in the apt, or you could have gotten a motel room or BOSE head phones.

Your expecting the roofing crew to stop doing the job that feeds their family is WAY out of line. Roofers starting early in the AM is routine as you were advised - beat the heat. The good news is that they quit at 3 or 3:30PM.

I do not expect anyone to stop anything but I believe I have the right to be notified. If we got a notice about roof works at least the day before, we could have spent the night elsewhere. But the was NO NOTICE. I belive it's everyone's right to get a notice if

1) mainenace is entering their apartment for whatever reason
2) to know work is being done to their apartment

The reason I posted the question here was to find out to what extent my rights as a tenant are protected becuase I do not enjoy situations like that, and not for you to tell me I am being unreasonable. Because I am. If you believe you do not deserve a notice, here is some news for you - I DO

[seniorjudge]

You have the right to be notified if someone is coming in your apartment.

That's about it.

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by elena77

The reason I posted the question here was to find out to what extent my rights as a tenant are protected becuase I do not enjoy situations like that

And you have been given your answer - you just don't like it...

[Cvillecpm]

Since the workmen were not coming into your apt, you are owed no notice; however, in situations like this, some form of written notification - posted on apt doors or in the laundry or common areas are usually sufficient to advise residents of these types of activities.

Would you rather have them call you at 6AM?

[elena77]

Originally Posted by Cvillecpm

Would you rather have them call you at 6AM?

Still better then waking up in terror from an extremely lod noise and paint chips falling from the ceiling not knowing what's going on