can the landlord show the place when we are not in?

mess0804

he was going to come, he was in front of the house with the viewers when he called, now i made it very clear that I am against him coming without me being in (I ususally am at work at this hour)

mess0804

Jowo wrote: »

Having said that, I'm always curious to know how many tenants that are aghast at having viewings and refuse to participate actually gained there tenancy after viewing the property with tenants in place!

I am not against viewings, but not when I am not in. Today he let them in (I was in) and he had a phone call and he went outside to speak.
If I wasn't in would he left them alone ? I just don't want to risk

frugallass

mess0804 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.
I don't think it's ok to change the lock, the idea with the alarm it's nice, but he will anyway enter ...
There is nothing in the contract about this.

I have nothing against viewings, but it should be done when I am in.
What happens if I find something missing? I could accuse him of stealing ? (today I had my ring, earrings, etc on the bedside table as I couldn’t stand them when I had fever, an expensive camera on the desk, let's say that laptops and big things can't disappear, but small things can be tempting and you never now

absolutely agree with you - my ex LL let himself in to the house to replace a bulb when there was no-one in (posted here about it some time ago) - I went APE - I was so tempted to say that £1,000 cash which was on the kitchen table had gone missing (there was no £1,000 - but he wouldn't have been able to prove that)

subsequently I found somewhere new to live but insisted that any viewings took place with either me or hubby on the premises.

you have every good reason to worry that things can go missing and have a right to be in the property when people are looking around - you don't have to talk to them or answer questions, just have a presence.

even if LL says that they will be supervised at all times, that can't be guaranteed, what if a couple turn up and they wander off into different rooms

princeofpounds

It is ok to change the lock. If it's a standard lock you can change the barrel which is not especially technical. You just have to make sure that you return the barrel (or cut new keys) on departure.

But I'd always tell the LL first that you insist on being there, negotiation often solves things.

mess0804

princeofpounds wrote: »

But I'd always tell the LL first that you insist on being there, negotiation often solves things.

I told him and he said: ok, I will call you first. Just that this is his style to get you off his back, he says ok on the phone to anything but does what he wants anyway. Called him with boiler problems for a week and he kept saying ok, I'll come, I'll send someone, he always agrees in words (not in deeds too)

frugallass

you need to tell him that you insist that he doesn't let himself into the property - I know it's not an easy thing to do - and if he goes against your wishes then you will contact the police

good luck xxx

Jowo_2

mess0804 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.
I don't think it's ok to change the lock, the idea with the alarm it's nice, but he will anyway enter ...

Well if you are certain that your landlord will continue to trespass but you won't take practical steps to prevent this, then I can't see how forum members can help you. You will just have to accept that he will enter when you aren't around and take steps to protect your valuables if you think there is a risk of them being stolen.

frugallass

oh and just in case......you need to set some 'traps' to see if he does let himself in when you're not there.......talc on the floor, deo on the door handles....etc etc

Alex_LS

princeofpounds wrote: »

You have a statutory (i.e. written in law) right to 'quiet enjoyment', which basically means you don't have to let the LL in at any point,

That's incorrect. The landlord has certain rights of entry under the Rent Act, Housing Act, and Landlord and Tenant Act. Note that this does not mean they can just turn up and force entry as and when they like.

frugallass

Alex_LS wrote: »

The landlord has certain rights of entry under the Rent Act, Housing Act, and Landlord and Tenant Act

doesn't that apply to emergency situations (leaks etc) rather than showing prospective tenants around a property?