Are Landlords allowed in the house uninvited?

advent1122

My son is a student living in rented accomodation with 4 friends.
He visited yesterday and said his landlord is doing his head in because she has a key and lets herself in to check on them. He said she goes around the house, even into there bedrooms to check on the state of the place.
She has even been there when the house is empty as he came home and found her in the house.
Now I was unsure whether she is allowed to do this without prior notice.
Is this allowed?

[Deleted User]

Does he have a contract?

Out letting agents has a key to our home but they send us a letter to let us know when they are coming and if we are out they will still go in the flat to check but they do give us notice.

Lavendyr

In short, no she is not allowed to do this. Whether there is a contract stating it or not, all tenants have the statutory right to quiet enjoyment of their property, meaning that the landlord may not just let him/herself in whenever they feel like it. A landlord should give at least 24 hours' written notice before attending a tenanted property.

I would suggest your son writes to the landlord reminding her of this obligation and politely requesting that she not continue to enter the property without reasonable written notice.

edit: although as others have said, landlords may enter exceptionally without notice if there is a genuine emergency (e.g. fire, leak, gas safety problem).

jacnorm

I live in private rented and have done for four years now without my LL ever doing this. I would be very annoyed if she did come in while I was out as I am sure she would not want others to do this in her home.

Soot2006

Not allowed.
Tenant should tell landlord in writing that they are feeling harrassed and it is to cease immediately.
Alternatively, tenant being student, could take to walking around naked and leaving bondage gear around the house in hope of embarrassing LL away ... Ok that's silly ... but might work!

jonathon

Soot2006 wrote: »

Not allowed.
Tenant should tell landlord in writing that they are feeling harrassed and it is to cease immediately.
Alternatively, tenant being student, could take to walking around naked and leaving bondage gear around the house in hope of embarrassing LL away ... Ok that's silly ... but might work!

of course this might want to make her come around more:rotfl:

97trophy

Only if the LL believes there is a possible danger to the property or life. Leaking water, leaking gas - that sorta thing. The LL really needs a good reason.

What you have described is unacceptable - submit a written complaint and ask for compensation for breach of privacy!

Mrs_pbradley936

No she cannot do this. She does have a right to inspect the property but has to give notice. The only time she is allowed to enter unannounced is if there is an emergency and then it would be the plumber or electrician or firemen on her behalf. For example we had to once break into a flat we let because the woman in the flat below complained about a water leak. The people in our flat were out and the police said it was OK to break in.

advent1122

Thanks for the replies.
I shall tell my son to inform her that she must cease arriving unannounced and must in future give notice of a visit.

ciano125

As has been mentioned, make sure to use the words "quiet enjoyment", and put it in writing.

MissMoneypenny

Lavendyr wrote: »

A landlord should give at least 24 hours' written notice before attending a tenanted property.

Agreed. This day and time has to be convenient to the tenant too. If not, the tenant can state in writing that that day/time is not convenient and suggest alternative dates/time. The landlord can then select a mutually convenient time and confirm this in writing to the tenant.

If the landlord is inspecting the house too often, then this is harassment.

If the tenant allows the landlord in to the property unsupervised, they should check that their contents insurance covers them for this.