I signed a lease for an apartment on January 13 of this year which started February 1. My wife, infant son and I moved in on February 10. Yesterday (February 15) the owner, who lives in the building, contacted my wife and asked for a meeting. In this meeting she was informed that they have sold the building. At no point during the interview process, signing of the lease, or previous to 2/15 was it mentioned that they planned to sell the building or that there might be renovations taking place.
The new owners have indicated to us their intention to complete major renovations on the two floors below us and the basement, converting them from individual units into one, large unit. They have stated that they intend to keep our floor (3rd) as a rental unit and we can live there during the renovation process. I understand that this is their right as the owners of the building.
However, I have some legitimate concerns. So far, they have indicated the the renovations are going to be fairly extensive. This is definitely going to mean a good amount of noise during working hours, which is very likely to disturb my 10-month old son during his daytime naps. Additionally, the building is at least 40 years old and there may be lead paint present in the building. This is a serious problem, since lead dust is difficult to contain and obviously dangerous to everyone, but especially small children. There may also be other major or minor inconveniences and hazards that reveal themselves during the renovation process.
I feel that I am the victim of a gross misrepresentation. I signed a lease for a quiet building in which there was no construction and no dangerous substances in the air. Now, I will essentially be living in a construction site for several months or longer. My health and the health of my wife and infant son, along with the serenity of my home will potentially be severely depleted. I find it difficult to believe that the owners were not already planning this sale, which took place only one month after the date of the lease signing; yet they said nothing. I agreed to pay X amount of rent for one thing, and now I am getting something completely different. And this is all after the extremely expensive and stressful process of moving, which we want to avoid having to do again at all costs.
I don't know what my rights are, or what their obligations are. Can I ask for a reduction in rent? How do I make them ensure that there will not be any lead dust or other dangerous substances entering my home? Please, any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.