Landlord entered property without permission HELP

Alicia_S

This may be long I really do apologise but I really need some help.
I am living in Private rented accommodation. When I first moved in on September 16th 2007 it was all done through an agency (Belvoir) I felt safe and secure with this so why I went for the property instead of one just out of the local paper.
After 6 months he phoned me and said "I don't want to pay the extra £80 odd quid to them to just do nothing I would rather maintain the property myself. He lived in London at the time.

My tenancy agreement was just left as it had been given to me six months ago when I first moved in.

Repairs werent very often. Rent was ALWAYS paid on time.

The front gate then broke and became dangerous and my next door neighbour was complaining it was banging in the night. HE came down and did a bodged repair job on it just drilling in a piece of wood against it. I said I wasn't happy but he said he was skint and cant afford to replace it so that would have to do. He seemed to forget that I am skint but I still pay my rent.

I was working full time when I took on this property.

In April this year I became really ill as I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. I had to leave work and have chemotherapy treatment alongside a hysterectomy.
The housing authority (Housing benefit I think it is) helped to pay my rent and my landlord was fine with this when I explained why.

In July of this year I had to for legal reasons change my name by depol. This obviously caused lots of hassle and delay with my Housing benefit and Income support and Disability Living Allowance. My rent was TWO DAYS late and my landlord rang the housing demanding to know stuff. Obviously as I had changed my name I had wrote to him that day he phoned the housing this obviously mucked my claim up so the hosuing could not tell him anything. He then rang me and left a message saying "You are nothing but a liar I do not want a liar in my house. You are not in receipt of any money. You are pocketing the rent and just not paying it. There is nothing wrong with you you are just a liar" I have letters from Clatterbridge Oncology saying I am under treatment so how can I lie??

The next day he received a copy of my deed poll letter.

The following day my mum passed away. Unbeknown to him that day he text me to say he would be down to see the property that weekend. I text back and told him it was NOT convenient as my mum had just died and I needed to go home to my birth place 2 hour drive away. He told me "tough sh**" I begged him (which he enjoyed I think) can we re-arrange and he replied "okay then". I went home that weekend.

I wrote to him on my return (two days away) and asked him I felt that the texts were getting nasty and stressing me out (remember I had just had chemo) so can we converse in future by writing in a letter. He agreed.

For two weeks I heard nothing so just presumed he had changed his mind or couldn't be bothered to visit the house.

so in those two weeks I heard nothing I planned a weekend away for weekend of 11th-14th September 09 at my birth place again as my dad is really struggling with my mums death. I wrote to him just in case with this info and a list of dates I am available if he still wished to see the house.

He sent me a text on Thursday this week to say he had been away on holiday (not told me) and that he was demanding to come down and see the house on Saturday (12th sept 09). I text him back saying sorry I am away I have sent you a letter with convenient dates. I heard NOTHING back.

I went away but to cover my own bum I left a note on the front door saying "Appt not convenient please do not enter. He knew I was away

I left my house as is all my posessions, laptop, £500 in the kitchen draw, Nintendo Wii etc etc so the house did NOT look abandoned.

He ignored my note and let himself into my house. The letter I posted on the door was ripped off and left on the couch.

First I knew of it was a phone call from my neighbour to say that someone was in my house and does she need to phone the police as she knew I was away. I said was it a black van/cruiser type car and described my landlord and she said yes so I asked her to phone them explaining it was my landlord and he is not authorised to be in there.

I jumped in my car and raced down the motorway.

I have come home to find All my paperwork was rifled through, my passport has gone, the £500 is missing and my Nintendo Wii is gone. My bank statements have also been rifled through.

The police said to my neighbour and also me that they cannot get involved that it is a civil matter and it is not classed as Burglary.

I really do not need this stress right now. I have my final cycle of Chemotherapy next week I have just lost my mum and the get has been in my house and gone through ALL my paperwork and nicked my valuable possessions.

I guess what I am asking is

a) is he allowed to do this. He did give 24hrs notice BUT I said it wasn't convenient and said no to it.

b) Is he allowed to take any of my possessions

c) If not who do I need to go to as the police are saying they cannot get involved.

£500 to me at the moment is like gold dust. My Wii I know I am being mwterialistic but was what is getting me thro my chemo and my laptop is my life line toi order things on-line when I am so ill from chemo I cant go out.

Please help anyone

faithcecilia

I can't offer any help, but I do wish you all the best. It sound like a horrible situation to be in, and has put mine into some sort of perspective. I hope it is resolved soon and that your chemo is successful.

Love

fc

clutton_2

he abs;olutely is not allowed to do this. Since you are ill, you need someone else on your side - contact the Council private sector housing officer tomorrow and get them to write to your landlord, telling him he is not allowed to do this. Also change the lock on the front door (keep the old one as you will need to change it back once you leave)

is your rent up to date now ?

chambta

He's broken the law plain and simple. Theft for one.

superfran_uk

You should report it as a burglary. No need to confuse matters.

Horasio

He had no right to touch your personal items. It is trespass as you didn't agree to it.

I had a landlord (agent) let themselves in whilst I was on holiday and nothing got touched but still felt angry about it.

Had anything gone missing, I would have gone to town on them.

Alicia_S

Thanks guys for all your help it means so much right now.

The police are saying that it is a civil matter and not a Burglary and that they will not get involved.

But I thought wether invited or not if anyone goes into anyones house and nicks anything or is accused then the police have a duty to investigate.

My sister I remember once went to her friends house and was accused of pinching £10 and a watch from her friends mums house. We had the police on our doorstep.

I have phoned the police twice and again told twice by them that they cannot do anything

molerat

Contact the police and insist on speaking to the duty inspector. Your property has been stolen which is a crime. It is not a civil matter.

superfran_uk

The breach of contract - i.e. the landlord entering the property is a civil matter. The theft is not, and the police should take this seriously. As said above, insist on speaking to someone above seargent level and they should be helpful.

NEH

OMG....it is wrong....very wrong and of him to take your stuff that is despicable...

If you can and appreciate it is very difficult right now go into the police station tomorrow and as the others have said ask for someone higher up...Sometimes when you go down to the station is it better than speaking to the call centre...

Best of luck....

Framps

Hope you get this all sorted out.

The Citizen's Advice Bureau can help - http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice. They do get stick from some people on here but I think they provide a valuable service and are a good place to go.

I would definitely follow up with the police too - the CAB may be able to help you in this regard too.