Landlord adding new room

[u/Competitive-Map-9812]

My landlord is adding a new room adjacent to mine, removing what was previously living room space. It will also cover my only window (I only have natural light through a window into the living room, into the outdoors.

Is this legal? Can I break the lease over this?

[u/I0I0I0I]

AFAIK in renting rooms you have to have two egresses for emergency. A window and a door.

[u/cusmilie → u/I0I0I0I]

Yep, for any room to be considered a bedroom.

[u/I0I0I0I → u/cusmilie]

I think a wardrobe is required too. So they can't just say a room in the basement is a room.

[u/cusmilie → u/I0I0I0I]

Yep

[u/CeruleanSky73]

No! The landlord cannot remove space that was already assigned within the rental agreement to you!

[u/Phyers → u/CeruleanSky73]

This too is how I would interpret it. If common space is listed as part of the lease arrangement then no longer having it available changes the terms of the lease.

[u/Consistent_Wave_8471]

Not clear on your rental arrangement. Are you renting just a room within a larger space? Or are you renting an apartment?

Loosing your only window seems like it might not even be legal as it removes a possible emergency egress. And it sounds like even without the renovation you had no direct ventilation to the outside (your current window as you’ve described only provides natural lighting).

[u/Intelligent-Dish8264]

Adding a room? Probably not permitted. Unlikely to be legal. Safety is certainly compromised if it reduces your options to exit your room. Reporting it will end your lease and likely mean higher rent elsewhere. Not a lot of great options.

[u/tj-horner]

Read your lease. If the description of the rented space includes the living room, then this change is probably grounds to break it (but IANAL)

[u/pb1153]

If it blocks your bedroom window, it is illegal. It is a violation of building code.

[u/Nanaman]

Was this room part of your apartment before?