What to do with tenants while renovating

Question

Hello,

I have a duplex with two tenants in one unit on the second floor. There is only one entry to the upstairs unit and I would like to replace their stairway and porch. I'm looking for some guidance on how to go about doing this since my contractor quoted that the job would take 1-2 weeks and during that time there would be no access to the unit because there isn't enough room to put a temporary stairway in while they are building. Are there any guidelines for situations like this where the tenants would need to stay somewhere else while the renovation is in process? I'm in Pennsylvania if that helps. Thank you in advance!

Chris Seveney · Answer

Either do it while they are on vacation, or have them relocate for the short term. I would have inlcuded in the scope of work they need to provide temporary access OR had them work double shift to get it done faster.

Jeremy Brown · Answer

You'll need to credit their rent for the time that the unit in uninhabitable.  Ideally you can do the work while they are away on vacation.  If they are not going away any time soon, you can suggest if they can stay with friends/family and you can either give them some money or restaurant gift cards as a thank you/sorry for the inconvenience to keep them happy.  Or you put them up in a motel for the time that the work is being done.  If none of those solutions will work, and they are MTM, you can give them notice and terminate their tenancy, repair the stairs and re-rent out the unit.  The latter would be the least ideal option for me, but maybe it is the way to remodel the whole unit and increase the rent of the space.

James Mc Ree · Answer

The two governing tools you have are your lease and safety issues. The lease will state what you can do in this situation, but it may be silent if it is not addressed. Safety issues can compel you to do this, ideally if you can get a township inspection to say so. That takes away their, "I don't want to." excuse.

Is this something you need to do or want to do? Need=safety, so you have to do it. "Want" is a personal preference and I would defer it until the end of their lease unless they are asking for it in which case they have to relocate for the work.

You are probably in a situation where you are waiting at least a 1/2 month of rent and maybe paying for them to stay in a hotel or short term living space for the work. You might be able to get away with paying the difference between the 1/2 month of rent and short term living cost.

I think you would only have legal issues if you deny them use of the property for 2 weeks and charge them full rent. Anything less that they agree to should be fine.

Colleen F. · Answer

@Alex Dichter  Seems like a long time estimate. I would push back on the contractor  to make the unit accessible in a shorter time, Not 1-2 weeks.  He can do the job in  2 weeks but has to provide access in a week even if he is doing the full deck in a longer time period?  Is he pouring new footers and that is why it is so long?    Also don't you need two means of egress?

Twannisha Jackson · Answer

I would explain to the client the work that’s being done & ask them how they would like to operate because you have to do the upgrade. let them decide how they’ll move.

Laura Stayton · Answer

Is the stairway and porch a safety concern?  If so, you will need to do it right away (If there is a temporary fix that can be done to ensure safety do that now)  If it's not a safety issue talk to the tenants and see if you can work it while they're on vacation or if they have family they can stay with (abate rent for the time out of the unit)

Alex Dichter · Answer

Hi Chris, thank you for the advice!

What to do with tenants while renovating

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