Can workers eneter a rented property?

mess0804

The letting agency just called me to say that the painters who are doing the outside of the house want to paint my bedroom window from inside as they don't have a big enough ladder to pain it from the outside.... I said no so the woman there kept insisting... I said anyway they have to give me 24 hours notice when they enter my flat ... so this means that tomorrow I have to take the day off to watch the painters... :mad:
Is this normal? In my contract it does say about emergencies ... which this is not...
The painters are not a proper company (no PPE, no proper tools), they are just 2 polish guys. Probably the letting agency knows them ... but still I just left this morning living everything as it was: pijamas and I don't know what all over the place, laptops, money and jewellery on sight... at least I could lock them in a bag or something... it just doesn't seem ok that they call me because they want to paint the outside of the building...

PasturesNew

I'd have said "leave me a pot, I'll do it"

mess0804

I tried to offer this option or they can do it tomorrow morning : at 7 - 8 o'clock .... like proper construction workers .. but they come at about 10 o'clock in shorts and I don't trust them to leave them alone in my place...


I just tried to call the letting agency to be clear that they shouldn't enter and I got to the voicemail. (left them a message)

princeofpounds

LL/Agents only have a right to enter in case of emergencies.

You have a statutory right to quiet enjoyment that no clause in a contract can override. They are however allowed to enter with 24hrs notice if there is no objection.

If they do enter without permission on a single occasion, there is no penalty. However, if they cause any loss or damage you can sue them for that.

You have a right to change the locks, however you must change them back at the end of the tenancy. Swapping the barrel is the easiest way to do this.

In situations like this it is normally best to compromise, as they aren't doing the work to be vindictive. However, they should not inconvenience you unnecessarily. It's your choice how far you want to push negotiations, and that probably depends on your idea of privacy and the possessions you keep in your property.

Fire_Fox

I would write a letter or send an e-mail making it very clear that you do not give permission for anyone to enter your home unaccompanied by a member of your household.

mess0804

princeofpounds wrote: »

LL/Agents only have a right to enter in case of emergencies.

You have a statutory right to quiet enjoyment that no clause in a contract can override. They are however allowed to enter with 24hrs notice if there is no objection.

If they do enter without permission on a single occasion, there is no penalty. However, if they cause any loss or damage you can sue them for that.

You have a right to change the locks, however you must change them back at the end of the tenancy. Swapping the barrel is the easiest way to do this.

In situations like this it is normally best to compromise, as they aren't doing the work to be vindictive. However, they should not inconvenience you unnecessarily. It's your choice how far you want to push negotiations, and that probably depends on your idea of privacy and the possessions you keep in your property.

The compromise should have been to do the work in the morning from 8 to 9 so I could only be an hour late to work...

I just didn't like the way the letting agency called me (with witheld number) to "say" that the workers want to enter to paint the window. Not to ask for a time when i am in or anything... I clearly said NO when I am not in.

They don't look like a proper company (don't have at least a ladder or protective clothes) and if they leave with everything I own good luck for me to sue

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Thinking of this cases I put a lock on my bedroom door so I can lock in there everything that's important in a case of something to repair (usualy that will be in the kitchen or bathroom) .... but now they just wanted to enter my bedroom to paint the outside of the window without any notice....

princeofpounds

I don't think you are being unreasonable, especially the short notice and lack of negotiation on their part.