Please help! Who pays to move contents of bedroom for repair??

[Cindy Hughes]

We recently purchased a 100 year old duplex with plaster walls and ceilings. One unit was/is occupied by an older couple (>70) who have lived there for close to 20 years (we let them stay).  Their bedroom ceiling is a safety issue as the plaster is sagging.  Their bedroom is FULL of knick-knacks and furniture including their 4 poster bed - all which need to be moved out of the room so the repairs can be made to the ceiling. (The contractor is pulling down the lath and plaster, and replacing it with drywall.

Who is responsible for the cost of emptying the room contents and putting them back?

Please help!  This work is being done next week!

[Lynnette E.]

With how long they lived there and their age, I would ask them if they have family to help them move their treasures, and if not, you hire insured professionals to do it.  Their age indicates that they can not do it and likely can not afford it, thus why they are renting one place and not moving.  And the owner has saved tons of money by not having to do repairs in the past and vacancies.  Be kind, even if legally you may not be required to.  Put a POD in the yard for a month.