EA's showed a viewing without our permission

clutton_2

""think very inflammatory behaviour has already been embarked on....by the agent!


absolutley - i agree with you - but responding to inflammatory behaviour with more inflammatory behaviour then escalates any situation instantly, with no way possible for an amicable solution to go forward with everyone happy

DVardysShadow

clutton wrote: »

why is it that certain posters leap onto the "change the locks NOW" bandwagon whenever anyone complains about something

surely we can suggest that OP at least TALKS to the agent and LL first before embarking on very inflammatory behaviour......

For me, it was a quick answer to indicate the scope of possibilities. Ultimately it was an answer for the end game, rather than for now. But as long as the OP is grown up and can map out a path for a situation, I think it is a fair enough answer

clutton_2

i think it is a completely irresponsible answer unless prefixed with AS A LAST RESORT, and none of the lets "changae-the-locks-brigade" would dream of saying that

Fire_Fox

Donk wrote: »

When we arrived we found fridays mail placed infront of the fire, and on ringing our landlord today found out that they have had a viewing without our permission. Apparently the OH said they were apologetic as far as the landlord said but this is really not good enough for me.

And frankly this isn't the first time they have done something like this. When they arranged to do the photo shots they told my OH that it would just be downstairs, on this knowledge we moved all our clutter up to the bedroom out of the way so the pictures would show the houses potential. I had therefore pulled something up against the door to make sure it didnt swing open for people to see. Well, on return it had been pushed open and we were told that they had tried to get in to take pictures.'

clutton wrote: »

why is it that certain posters leap onto the "change the locks NOW" bandwagon whenever anyone complains about something

surely we can suggest that OP at least TALKS to the agent and LL first before embarking on very inflammatory behaviour......

They already have spoken with the LL and the OP was not satisfied by the response! They have no professional relationship with the EA so have no sanctions other than withdrawing their permission for any viewings. I'd consider sending a recorded delivery letter to the LL asking for the EA's keys to be taken back, and stating the times/ days that the OP will be available to allow access for viewings thereafter.

DVardysShadow

clutton wrote: »

i think it is a completely irresponsible answer unless prefixed with AS A LAST RESORT, and none of the lets "changae-the-locks-brigade" would dream of saying that

The last resort is go to court and get an order to stop it. I would say your reaction is verging on hysterical here. The rented property is someone's home and it is not a trivial matter when unknown strangers gain entry without so much as a by your leave.

If it becomes general practice to change the locks on breach of trust [which this is], on a global level, people will be much more inclined to respect tenants rights. On the individual level, I agree, it is possibly draconian to do it, but not unreasonable.

PasturesNew

Get a portable burglar alarm system ... and set it every time you go out. That'll embarrass the bugg4hs if they do it again.

franklee

Donk wrote: »

Apparently the OH said they were apologetic as far as the landlord said but this is really not good enough for me.

Not good enough for me either. What you want is is to put in a written complaint asking for written assurance from both agent and landlord that it won't happen again. Anything short of that and yes I'd change the lock barrels. I'd also change them if I didn't trust a commission hungry estate agent to respect a tenant's privacy, after all they know any comeback over this won't fall on them so why should they change. Meanwhile you could try a portable shed alarm.

As for all this talking proposed, that doesn't give you a paper trail to back up any action you take so I'd still back up any conversations with a confirmation of what happened in writing.

missile

Very annoying, but not a lot you can do about it. You are moving out so forget it and move on.

Mischa

The Tenancy Agreement between yourselves and the Landlord should state that access to the property (by the Landlord) may be granted by tenants (yourselves) upon 48 hours prior notice, or a similar term. This term usually contains a clause stating that in an emergency the Landlord is permitted to access the property without your permission but must inform of of the reason and what ocurred within 24 hours of the Landlord entering the property. DO refer to your Tenancy Agreement as this contains everything you need for ammunition. The viewing should have been approved by yourselves, and the Landlord has breached a common term of the Tenancy Agreement, provided your tenancy agreement does state this (I hope it does!)