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We live in a flat, renting from a landlord but the whole house is managed by a separate management company. We received communication from the management company telling us that there would be work done on the front of the house and scaffolding would be up for 2 weeks. We weren't delighted - the scaffolding is directly outside our bedroom window - but 2 weeks didn't seem like too long.
It's now been eight weeks. Two weeks ago, my boyfriend called the company to find out how long it would be and although he never got through to the person in charge, he was told it would be another two weeks. Obviously there has been no change. I sent a complaint email to the management company to find out what was going on. They said it would be another two weeks.
I have loads of problems with the scaffolding being up and the work going on.
1) Security - we didn't want to get a ground floor flat but rented this one because none of the windows were accessible - now they are! Also, the work is disabling our burglar alarm. A window was broken some weeks ago (which the landlord paid to replace) - although it's hard to know when and how this happened, I doubt it would have been possible if the scaffolding wasn't there.
2) Privacy - as I said, it's right outside our bedroom, so that means we have the shutters and curtains shut all the time.
3) Gloominess - which, coupled with the very dirty windows, means we live in a very gloomy place!
4) Ability to work - My desk is in the bedroom and I work from home most of the time. When there is work outside, it's hard to concentrate as it's an awful scraping noise.
5) Aesthetics - obviously it looks horrible too!
If I'd been told at the start that the scaffolding would be up for two and a half months, I would have kicked up a fuss and asked for a rent reduction. Am I still able to ask for one? I feel like I'm in a weak position to negotiate, but I feel that they've decreased my quality of life here.
It's now been eight weeks. Two weeks ago, my boyfriend called the company to find out how long it would be and although he never got through to the person in charge, he was told it would be another two weeks. Obviously there has been no change. I sent a complaint email to the management company to find out what was going on. They said it would be another two weeks.
I have loads of problems with the scaffolding being up and the work going on.
1) Security - we didn't want to get a ground floor flat but rented this one because none of the windows were accessible - now they are! Also, the work is disabling our burglar alarm. A window was broken some weeks ago (which the landlord paid to replace) - although it's hard to know when and how this happened, I doubt it would have been possible if the scaffolding wasn't there.
2) Privacy - as I said, it's right outside our bedroom, so that means we have the shutters and curtains shut all the time.
3) Gloominess - which, coupled with the very dirty windows, means we live in a very gloomy place!
4) Ability to work - My desk is in the bedroom and I work from home most of the time. When there is work outside, it's hard to concentrate as it's an awful scraping noise.
5) Aesthetics - obviously it looks horrible too!
If I'd been told at the start that the scaffolding would be up for two and a half months, I would have kicked up a fuss and asked for a rent reduction. Am I still able to ask for one? I feel like I'm in a weak position to negotiate, but I feel that they've decreased my quality of life here.
From what you say, it sounds like you are suffering Detriment of Enjoyment of Your Tenancy. If you were told the work would only take two weeks and now, two months down the line, it is still ongoing, you should certainly make written representations to the management company with a copy to your landlord. 
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