Harassment and/or Unlawful Eviction?

Bamboozle_2

There's a LOT of history to this, but I'm going to try to keep it as short and sweet as possible and condense things into a few questions. If anyone thinks more information is needed then feel free to ask.

Firstly our landlord has, on a number of occasions, turned up outside the property to poke/measure/peer in the windows with no notice. One incident even involved a ladder up against the wall. Does this go against our right to peaceful enjoyment of the property since we have not received notice on any occasion. They have argued that they never entered the property itself so we have no grounds for complaint.

Secondly, our lease (assured shorthold) expires at the end of July. We have not given notice that we are leaving on this day, nor have we received two months notice or an s21 at any point. We have just found out that our property is listed at a local letting agent and available from the start of August. We also had a man show up to put up a To Let sign. Several people (eg Shelter) have mentioned Unlawful Eviction in regards to this, but we were wondering at what point they actually commit this? Even if this isn't actually committing Unlawful Eviction, is this not termed as Harassment since they are doing things that are prompting us to leave?

sandraroffey

sounds like you need the citizens advice with some urgency.xx

silvercar

They are not doing things tht force you to leave; only a court can force you to leave and then it would have to be backed up by the appointment of baliffs.

On the one hand you can let them carry on their merry way and waste their own time searching for new tenants. Or you could tell them that you have no plans to leave so they may as well stop. Do check that you weren't served a section 21 notice early in the tenancy.

Bamboozle_2

silvercar wrote: »

They are not doing things tht force you to leave; only a court can force you to leave and then it would have to be backed up by the appointment of baliffs.

On the one hand you can let them carry on their merry way and waste their own time searching for new tenants. Or you could tell them that you have no plans to leave so they may as well stop. Do check that you weren't served a section 21 notice early in the tenancy.

We're aware they can't actually kick us out, we've done a LOT of reading on our rights, etc.

My main question in regards to these two is simply "have they committed either yet?".

G_M

Does the landlord have keys (probobly). Is he showing prospective tenants round (either with or without your knowledge/permission)?

He can't do this without your permission, which you can refuse. If you are in doubt, change the locks (but keep them to put back on when you do eventually go).

poppysarah

Ring shelter or see the CAB for specialised advice.

clutton_2

why not talk to your landlord and find out what their plans are ?

why not tell your landlord what your plans are ?

Bamboozle_2

clutton wrote: »

why not talk to your landlord and find out what their plans are ?

why not tell your landlord what your plans are ?

We've had nothing but abuse since we moved in. Even asking to get the boiler fixed got us treated like inconvenient scum. I would happily extend the common courtesy of letting them know our plans if they had ever shown respect or courtesy to ourselves.

As a result we have no intention of talking to them where possible to avoid it. If they want us out they can do it correctly.

Bamboozle_2

poppysarah wrote: »

Ring shelter or see the CAB for specialised advice.

I already have, hence the mention of Shelter

silvercar

Bamboozle wrote: »

We've had nothing but abuse since we moved in. Even asking to get the boiler fixed got us treated like inconvenient scum. I would happily extend the common courtesy of letting them know our plans if they had ever shown respect or courtesy to ourselves.

As a result we have no intention of talking to them where possible to avoid it. If they want us out they can do it correctly.

Maybe they don't want you out. Maybe they think you may leave at the end of the contract without giving them notice, as you would be entitled to do.

Maybe they are just covering themselves in case you leave.

Without communicating with them, you will not know.

franklee

I'd ring up the letting agent and arrange a viewing See if they let you in.

Do check and double check for that pesky S21 having been sneaked past you early on, as sivercar already said.

Needing an appointment to go in would include the garden, but hard to enforce that. I chucked a repair man off a balcony accessed from outside by ladder as he didn't have an appointment, he wasn't happy. (I mean made him leave).