Landlord / experienced tenant opinion please!**UPDATE-LL ENTERED HOUSE ILLEGALLY?**

emsywoo123

milliebear00001 wrote: »

I am really surprised at the flak you're getting here! I have two children and would hate anyone (even if he is my landlord) to enter my home without specific agreement - and that means on the right day at the agreed time. As you say, you don't know the bloke from Adam - why on Earth would you want him wandering around your home when you aren't there?!

I'm not suggesting your landlord was malicious, just that (like many, many) landlords) he fails to realise that his house is your, and your daughter's, HOME. I would probably have mentioned that I'd have preferred to be present when he entered the house, but not made a big deal of it. Given the time lapse though, I would now be tempted to wait and see if it happens again, and consider checking out the legal position on lock changing.

Take care.

Thank you! I have not spoken to him yet, wanted to compose my thoughts!:D

emma12345

I do understand why you might be a little annoyed, however you like the flat, you like the area and the landlord has been brilliant and left you alone in the past to enjoy the flat, repairing things super fast. You don't want to upset the applecart by coming across too ungrateful do you?

Perhaps changing the locks would be a good idea and 'forgetting' to give the landlord the spare key. You can always say there was a problem with the lock and you had to change it.

Or wait until there is another repair that needs doing and raise the issue with him then? After all, it's not as if he does this regularly is it.

Anyway I do understand, him coming in unexpectedly must make you feel very vulnerable. However I do feel if you go over the top you may spoil things long term.

Em (speaking as a previous landlord and tenant)

emsywoo123

Hi Em,
I do not plan on doing anything drastic, in my first post, I asked for adive, such as the legal position on lock changing etc. The reason I have eben so rield on this thread is that *some* people think what he has done is no problem whatsoever.
The LL has in fact only had this repair to do in the time I have been here, I have sorted any small probelm that needed doing.
As far as I know, he has left me alone. In truth, I obviously have no idea. I hope for the best, but after today, I am struggling that a stranger has been in my home. Not MY house, true, but my home.

littlemissmoney

I'm totally with Emsywoo on this one. If my landlord let himself in I would be fuming and feel *really* uncomfortable in my own home. I would immediately change the locks.

I just don't understand how anyone could think this is ok! You agreed he could come round on Monday, not today.

When you want to move, make sure you claim 3 times your deposit off him for not protecting yours

emsywoo123

littlemissmoney wrote: »

I'm totally with Emsywoo on this one. If my landlord let himself in I would be fuming and feel *really* uncomfortable in my own home. I would immediately change the locks.

I just don't understand how anyone could think this is ok! You agreed he could come round on Monday, not today.

When you want to move, make sure you claim 3 times your deposit off him for not protecting yours

Thank you, after some posters I was beginning to think I was getting overly terrotorial!!
But I do know that I am right. I jsut wanted to know the legal position.;)

littlemissmoney

I found this on Shelter's website:

You can ask your landlord to stop entering your home without your permission. It may be classed as harassment if s/he persists.
You may even be able to change the locks if you want to.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/renting_and_leasehold/rights_and_responsibilities/landlords_responsibilities

littlemissmoney

Just change the locks. If he ever finds out then ask him how the hell he knows

emsywoo123

littlemissmoney wrote: »

Just change the locks. If he ever finds out then ask him how the hell he knows

Ha ha that one I like!:rotfl: :rotfl:

Kimitatsu

Hiya

You cannot change the locks without giving the LL good reason and providing him with a spare set of keys. If you wish to change the locks at your own expense then you can do so but cannot expect the LL to reimburse you for these costs.

Legally your LL has to give you 24 hours notice in writing of attending your property but to be honest I would imagine that he thought of you and your DD and a toilet problem. Having kids myself I know I would want it fixed sooner rather than later.

As you were not in the property at the time, you dont know how many times he rang the doorbell, banged on the door, rang etc before he let himself in.

If I were you, I would ring him and say thank you for repairing the toilet, but you are a bit concerned as you are on your own and you felt that you had arranged a time for him to come over. Whilst you have nothing to hide, it would make you feel more comfortable if he would stick to your pre-arranged times, because you could have been in the bath etc and you would have been embarassed. That way you have put your point across without upsetting anyone, and putting your tenancy in danger.

Your LL could serve you a section 21 at any time, giving the reason as wanting to sell the house and then changing his mind in 2 months time.

I understand that you feel concerned but I think at this stage recorded letters would antagonise rather than put him gently in his place.

Old_Git

If I was your landlord and i read what you where posting here I would never do another repair for you again .

then you would be back here to post ,my landlord never does any repairs and I as your landlord would say !!!!!! .