Landlord gave 1 hour notice to enter while I was at work.

wonderpupp

We moved into our house in April, and we love the place. we have had the first month inspection, passed with flying colours.
Got permission to get a little dog, got one, paid the extra pet deposit, no problem, got a receipt.

At 09.30 today, I got a phonecall at work from the letting agent - the landlord is checking something next door, and he'd like to come in at about 10.30 today to check the electricity meter, as he has had an issue with some bills - this electricity issue was sorted out last month by my other half.
I said it's not really convenient, as we're both at work (earning money to pay you rent..)
So the LA said the landlord could just let himmself in with his keys. I said I wouldn't be happy about that, as he might let our puppy out (we are near a main road) she then said we don't have any pets on file, and I disagreed that I have a receipt for the deposit,etc.
She then said "He'll be careful" but to be honest, I don't care how careful anyone is, my dog is good with people, but would run straight through anyone else's legs to get out the door.

Fortunately, I am in a position of authority where I work, only 4 mins from home, so I zoomed home to meet the landlord. I was polite, and he read the meter, and wanted to have a look around, which I allowed him to do, and eventually he went.

I am riled up because the statutory 24 hours notice, as per our rental agreement was not upheld by the LA or LL, and it didn't sound like they'd take no for an answer.

How do I write a letter to complain without sounding pedantic? Or do I just leave it down to a one off and hope it doesn't happen again?

superfran_uk

Next time say NO.

Cheeky !!!!ers think they can do what they like.

We refused our landlord entry (similar situation, owned the house next door, wanted to come round when we were at work) because I had my knickers drying in the kitchen (no garden see) and he wrote us a letter accusing us of denying him entry because it was obviously unfit for inspection. It angered me so much I phoned the LA and told them I never wanted to speak to him and everything would have to come through them in future as he was unprofessional and generally odd.

It was that letter which prompted us to save up and buy the place we're in now! What a plonker.

hayley11

I would send a letter of complaint. If you broke the terms of the agreement, i'm sure they'd be quick enough to pull you up on it.

adg1

Write a letter to the LA, quoting the clauses in the tenancy agreement that he has just broken. There will be a clause about entry and one about emergencies etc.

Only in an emergency can anyone gain entry with short notice, and reading the meter is not an emergency in my opinion. If the house is dripping water out of the sides or is on fire then fair enough.

They have no right to enter your house with an hours notice they have to, by way of the tenancy agreement, let you 'live in peace'.

Tell them, nicely, to stick it next time. Reading the meters is not an emergency adn both the LA and the landlord should be well aware of this.

peachyprice

Oh, and change your locks.
You can do this as long as you keep the original ones and replace them when you leave.

Emmzi

I agree, change the lock barrell.

chewmylegoff

personally i wouldn't be too confrontational about it.

i would just write a letter to the landlord, cc'd to the agent, saying that

(i) you complied with his request this time, even though you didn't have to according to the contract, as you wanted to be as helpful as possible; and

(ii) in future, he should give you proper notice in accordance with the contract, and that it is unlikely that due to your work he will be able to gain access during normal office hours, except in case of emergency.

gjchester

peachyprice wrote: »

Oh, and change your locks.
You can do this as long as you keep the original ones and replace them when you leave.

Read the tenancy agreement first. Our LA agreement specifically prohibits changing any locks at any time without the LA and LL approval. Remember the LA and LL have the right to enter, assuming you have been given the right notice. Breaking the TA is not the way to go, complain first so you have it on file. Changing the locks without a complaint on file at the LA may well be justifiction to end your tenancy there and then.

Whats not clear is was there a clear NO and then intent to go in? If you hadn't been able to get home would he have let himself in? You said no, but then went home and let him in, would he have accepted the no and not entered. I'm sure from his point of view he wanted to do both calls in one, it may be he planned to give you notice but something cropped up next door and he wanted to do both calls in one trip.

Don't get me wrong, an hour is no where near enough notice, but it's not obvious if you had not been there if he's have gone in.

Snakeeyes21

What a load of c**p a landlord doesnt have the *right* to enter your home even if they have given notice, except in an emergency.
you can deny them access for any reason.
change the locks and forget about it.
the only way a LL or LA will find out is if they try to enter the property illegally, and id love to see them stand up in court to get an eviction notice, "why do you want to evict mr and mrs x" "they broke the tenancy agreement by changing the locks" "and how did you find this out" "um um um i tried to enter the property without permission" "i find in favour of the tenants"
the advice of many councils, shelter, the CAB and many professional landlords is to swap barrels, who knows whos got a previous set of keys.
if you have contents insurance anybody with a set of keys other than your immediate family will invalidate your policy

Catblue

I don't like the deception of it, really. The "Landlord only wants to enter in order to read the meter" guff and then when the landlord HAS read the meter, he wants to look round as well. So, he didn't just want to read the meter at all.

The fact that you have a dog would make me even more determined not to allow unauthorised access. What if your dog bit a stranger in your house? And, as you say, what if they let the dog out? There's no way I would take that risk.

But I agree that it isn't a situation that warrants being confrontational. A nice polite letter reminding them of the terms of the contract and the fact that you do not want anyone to be bitten, is fine.

franklee

Well I agree you should write a letter to complain with the aim of preventing it happening again and getting a complaint on file so that should you feel the need to change the locks you have a reason to point back to.

But I think getting into reasons why like being bitten is not a good idea as the LL can just say it doens't matter he doesn't mind the dog etc. You don't need any reasons to justify why you don't want him letting himself in, your rights to quiet enjoyment is enough.

You have a receipt for the extra deposit but do you have written confirmation it was for the dog or written consent for the dog? If not you should get that now as come the end of the tenancy agents tend to "forget" verbal persimmons given in the past.

Everything should be confirmed in writing to head off any later disputes IMO.