What do i do about my couch?

Question

My apartment building has undergone renovations. The job was shortcuted and instead of tearing down the old walls in the hallways. They just built overtop of them shrinking the hallways 6" in total. I can now not fit my 600.00 couch out of the apartment. Im really want my couch or want to be reimbursed for it. Since it was their money saving rennovations that caused this issue. In my lease agreement is says i could be charged for furniture removal if its left behind, but its not as though i have a choice, by the way they have it, i lose a 600.00 and if i dont have the heart to saw it up myself, then theyll charge me to remove it. This just doesnt seem right.

Answer 1

A very interesting question.

Management of course has the right to make renovations to the building at their discretion. Unless you have an unusually over-sized couch it should fit through the hallway even after the renovations have been done.   However, if it is physically impossible for you to get your couch through the hall way then ask management to come up with the solution.  Lowering it from the 6th floor may be an option.  A 200 pound couch is not that much for a couple of movers.  You might get movers to do this and ask management to pay for the costs.

If they choose to reimburse you for the couch don't expect to get the full $600.  You will only get depreciation value based on age and condition of the couch.

Take pictures of the couch.  Provide a receipt if possible showing what you you paid.  You may have to go to court and these will be useful if management refuses to take responsibility.  Also make any requests to management in writing so you have a paper trail.  

If management doesn't provide a solution that you are satisfied with then take them to small claims court.  

Before you take any action, make sure you cannot in fact get the couch through the hall.  This means you may have to give it a try first just be sure you aren't worrying for nothing.  Good luck.

Answer 2

No it doesn't seem right, but that's the way it is, I've had to do that myself, best you can do is chop it up, put it in bags and remove it yourself, are pay the price... if you live on First floor try the window....

Answer 3

Putting new walls over old walls is one way to rehab and it is quite acceptable.  However you have the right to assume that furniture you moved in will be able to be moved out when you leave.  They changed things and so I would first talk very reasonably to management and see what they have to say.  They may have a solution for you.  If you end up with out a couch or $, be sure you document everything in writing, take pictures and take them to small claims court.  Can you get it out a window??