URGENT advice required in rented property - someone treatening to break in!

timberflake

Would really appreciate some advice.

Our boiler recently broke down in our rented apartment and our landlady arranged for someone to come out and fix it.

After numerous visits it was finally sorted out yesterday. However, he has billed my landlady for £675 parts, labour and VAT for 90 mins work.

My landlady disputed this with him and gave him a cheque for what she believed to be a fair price after looking up the price for parts etc on the net - she gave hi, £350.

He has now rang me saying he's coming round tonight with a locksmith to take back the parts!!

He says he has a legal right to do this and will be bringing the police!!

My question is, does he have any legal right to do this with or without the police? Surely he can't gain access to my apartment! Surely this is a dispute between him and my landlady!!?

Would appreciate any advice!

Jowo_2

Why not contact community wardens or the local police to understand their position on this? Don't hesitate to call the police to respond to an attempt to enter your property. As a tenant, you have exclusive use of the property and don't have to permit access to anyone.

I'd have thought the only way that the plumber can resolve this issue is by taking the landlady to court as this is a contractual dispute between him and her.

timberflake

Jowo wrote: »

Why not contact community wardens or the local police to understand their position on this? Don't hesitate to call the police to respond to an attempt to enter your property. As a tenant, you have exclusive use of the property and don't have to permit access to anyone.

I'd have thought the only way that the plumber can resolve this issue is by taking the landlady to court as this is a contractual dispute between him and her.

I've rang the police and they said he has no legal right to enter and that the police wouldn't attend unless there was a breach of the peace.

I've just rang this guy back and he said he will be gaining access to the apartment today. When I told him he wasn't getting over my door he said "we'll see".

Any advice!

Mankysteve

Phone the police again, That is treating behaviour if turns up and trys to break in again phone the police again it would be very foolish for him to do so as you know who he is and very easy to trace.

BitterAndTwisted

How do you think this idiot gain entry if you deny him access? Just don't answer the door and if he won't go away quietly phone your local police station. Do not call 999 unless he starts kicking the door in. Leave a note on your door telling this thug that you won't admit him and leave the landlady's phone number on it.

This is not your dispute and he cannot lawfully enter and remove anything even if he feels justified.

timberflake

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

How do you think this idiot gain entry if you deny him access? Just don't answer the door and if he won't go away quietly phone your local police station. Do not call 999 unless he starts kicking the door in. Leave a note on your door telling this thug that you won't admit him and leave the landlady's phone number on it.

This is not your dispute and he cannot lawfully enter and remove anything even if he feels justified.

As I said in my OP, he said he'll be coming with a lock smith.

laughingcow81

Will a locksmith want to be part of this? Breaking and entering someone's home illegally?

timberflake

laughingcow81 wrote: »

Will a locksmith want to be part of this? Breaking and entering someone's home illegally?

Normally I would say absolutely not, but he said on the phone he has a "contract" with a lock smith. Probably one of his mates, helping him out.

My girlfriend is really scared now that this guys going to turn up tonight now. I guess there's nothing we can do except wait to see if they do turn up and deal with it.

BitterAndTwisted

If he does bring a locksmith then that locksmith will be breaking the law as well as the repair bloke. Most decent locksmiths are accredited and wouldn't take the risk of breaking into some innocent party's home.

This is why you need to put a note on the door explaining why you aren't responsible for the unpaid debt and why he should deal with this directly with your landlord. In your position I'd stay inside the property and get a chain fitted to the inside in case he tries to carry out his threat.

As soon as you see him and his vehicle draw up outside, call your police station.

Hopejack

Oh my goodness I feel so sorry for you. I agree that he cannot enter the property, as others have said, it is not your grievance. He is just a thug. B&T has the right attitude, he pulls up at your door, call the police. Or, are you not there right now - work maybe
Your landlady wants a kick up the jacksie too - presumably you have made her aware of his threats? It is for HER to sort out ASAP.

If I were you I'd start looking for another place to live, I know it's a pain for you but what happens if she disputes other bills.... How would she like it if he were planning to do that to her home. Perhaps you should suggest to your LL that you give the thug HER address (if you have it) - not suggesting you carry this out but by way of a 'sort it out' message.

moodydonkey

Have you contacted your LL as a matter of urgency regarding this?