Landlord entered property without permission HELP

BitterAndTwisted

If the landlord claims he may have left the door unlocked then he's responsible for the loss any way. Sounds like he might be the kind of scum to make up that sort of story but let's hope he's not bright enough. The neighbour-witness might be able to supply a time-frame to refute such an outlandish and unlikely claim.

Bloo_Loo

googler wrote: »

"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."

You go down to your nearest police station, phone them up, whatever, and you say you "want to report a theft". Don't tell them you suspect your landlord until you have to. With no sign of forced entry, they have to conclude (surely) that the theft was carried out by someone with keyed access to the property, and if/when they realise that's just you and the landlord.......

This is serious stuff, and if the police constables don't take it seriously, then escalate it to more senior officers; insist that you speak to someone higher up, as earlier posters suggested.

It's tempting to suggest speaking to the local press, but I'm not necessarily promoting this as a course of action.... what does the group think?

A person is guilty of Burglary if:

enter any building or part of a building as a trespasser with the intention to steal, inflict grievous bodily harm, rape or cause unlawful damage, or having entered any building or part of a building as a trespasser they steal, inflict or attempt to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Reference: Section 9 of the Theft Act 1968.

NEH

bitsandpieces wrote: »

Theft is a criminal matter, and you have a witness. Report this to the police as a theft. Assuming you've got home insurance, it's probably also worth reporting this honestly to them (I don't imagine that they'll pay out easily, if at all, but it's worth telling them about this as you may be able to claim something, and sometimes if you leave it too long you'll get nothing). Keep any text messages, and keep a record of any contact with your landlord.

If the police insist it's not a crime, ask to speak to a higher up. If they still won't, speak to CAB/your local councillor/council housing officer/MP in order to put pressure on them to do so.

By the way - was it definitely your landlord? Or could he have been stupid enough to leave the door unlocked?

The only way home insurance will pay out is if you have a crime reference number isn't it???

Alicia_S

Hi all

Aw thank you thank you thank you so so much for all your imput and help and suggestions it means so so much right now.

Nope the landlord could not of left the house unlocked. I have a wooden door with a yale on it so when you slam the door it shuts and locks itself. The type if you were out hanging your washing out for example and the wind blew it shut you would be locked out.

I was tempted to change the locks but it says in my tenancy agreement that I cannot without telling the landlord and giving him a key.

This is what makes it so disgusting the fact that I have played ball all along my tenancy. I even didn't hassle him and complain and bother that my gas safety check was three months late.

He thinks that I cannot be bothered to pursue this as I am poorly but boy is he wrong, even if it puts me in the ground. £500 to me is like gold dust at the mo, a months shopping and bills etc.

I am feeling like why the heck should I play ball and be all law abiding regarding the locks if he is being a unmentionable watsit

When I moved in I was there when the locksmith came round and changed the locks. So I witnessed brand spanking new locks going on so only I and my landlord had a set.

This just makes me want to spit (understatement) and swear and I am not usually like that.
He reckons he was authorised as he gave me more than 24hrs notice.??? Is he right can he still enter and thieve my stuff and rifle my stuff even if I nicely and politely say its not convenient more than 24hrs before hand and offer alternative dates I am here???

Sorry if I sound like I am shouting or boering saying the same things just I am so so upset and angry right now.

I also feel quite violated at the fact he has been through my drawers etc.

Alicia_S

Bloo_Loo wrote: »

A person is guilty of Burglary if:

enter any building or part of a building as a trespasser with the intention to steal, inflict grievous bodily harm, rape or cause unlawful damage, or having entered any building or part of a building as a trespasser they steal, inflict or attempt to inflict grievous bodily harm.

Reference: Section 9 of the Theft Act 1968.

Oooo great stuff thanks hun I will write that down and quote it tomorrow when I go to the police station:T

50plusabit

You go for him, he's scum.
And good luck with your Chemo hunny XXXXXXXX

geoffky

'Harrassment by Landlords':
http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/index.php?pa...ible&id=140

'My Landlord wants me out - protection against harassment and illegal eviction':
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications...mylandlordwants

mynameisdave

Alicia_S wrote: »

I was tempted to change the locks but it says in my tenancy agreement that I cannot without telling the landlord and giving him a key.

I believe this is unenforceable. Especially if you state in writing that you suspect him of entering your house while you were not there (I'd avoid a direct accusation as even though all evidence suggests it is him there is no 100% proof).

Provided that you leave the original lock in place when you leave it is OK. Bear in mind the landlord can have right to enter for emergency repairs. so if he needed to break the door down to get in then you could be held liable.

He reckons he was authorised as he gave me more than 24hrs notice.???

Some people on the X -Factor reckon they can sing.. They can't.
He is supposed to give you 24 hours written notice, and you have the right to refuse.

Sorry if I sound like I am shouting or boering saying the same things just I am so so upset and angry right now.

I also feel quite violated at the fact he has been through my drawers etc.

You have the right to feel both of these things, it is your home to enjoy, not the LL.
Try not to let it stress you out.
Take care.

googler

If the junior police still don't take you seriously tomorrow, then write to the chief constable of the force concerned, advising him/her that you've been robbed, your neighbour heard (possibly) the robbery in progress, saw(possibly) the robber's vehicle, and that his junior officers haven't progressed the matter. If you still don't have a crime number by the time you write to him, state this as well.

Send a copy of this letter to your MP at the same time.

Keep it straightforward. You can expand on details of any illnesses, circumstances, later, but for now; you've been robbed and the police haven't acted upon this, possibly because they're confusing landlord entry (civil matter) with theft (criminal matter).

Best of Luck with this, and keep us all posted how you get on.

clutton_2

ignore the clause in your letter agreement - change the locsk now