Unauthorised Visit

Unkownn

Hi.

I just went downstairs just now to put some washing on to find two men in our house. I thought I heard my brother downstairs cooking (as I smelt some gas) Now we rent through an agency privately. We are on an Assured Shorthold Tenacy agreement with them.

We was under the impression that they had to give us notice if they are to send anyone round to do checks or maintance and suitable timescales by appointment..according to our agreement anyway. Unless it is an emergency.

They said they was doing a boiler check, which is what we had actually asked th agency to sort out for us as we had been here over a year...but we heard nothing back..

Are they allowed to do this?

GDB2222

They just let themselves in with a key, without any prior notice? Or did they perhaps notify your brother?

It seems pretty surprising as normally these maintenance visits are scheduled well in advance. If you like the flat, just contact the agency and ask them why they did this - keep it reasonable whilst making it clear that you are rather upset at finding people in your house.

muppet83

We had this when we were renting, the agency said they'd written to us but we hadn't received anything. I didn't believe them but there was nothing we could do to prove it.
No they're not allowed to do it, I'd ask for them to telephone you from now on so there can be no excuses.

Unkownn

GDB2222 wrote: »

They just let themselves in with a key, without any prior notice? Or did they perhaps notify your brother?

It seems pretty surprising as normally these maintenance visits are scheduled well in advance. If you like the flat, just contact the agency and ask them why they did this - keep it reasonable whilst making it clear that you are rather upset at finding people in your house.

There was no landlord or agency person with them, just to maintenance people so I assume they had the key. They apologised but even so it scared the hell out of me!

princeofpounds

They are meant to give 24hrs notice. However, it is not a criminal matter so you can only sue if civil damages are caused (in the same way that much trespassing is not a crime), there is no automatic penalty.

Strong letter to landlord and agent should suffice for now, pointing out unacceptable, requiring 24hrs notice for ALL visits AND explicit permission from yourself. If you want to feel safer you are entitled to change the locks (or more easily and cheaply, the lock barrel) as long as you replace at the end of the tenancy.

poppysarah

I would change the lock.
Why should strangers be allowed to walk in without notice?

GDB2222

The trouble with changing the locks is that that escalates matters, and it's against the terms of 99% of leases. That's not unfair, as the landlord needs access if there's an emergency.

So, the sequence is:
1. Change the locks (it's my right innit!)
2. Find somewhere else to live.

Soot2006

If I came down the stairs in my home and found two strange men there I'd scream so loud the whole neighbourhood would know about it. I'd scream so loud I wouldn't give them the chance to explain who they were because frankly I don't care who they are.

olias

Good job the clothes you were washing weren't those you had just taken off..........:o

Olias

sequence

GDB2222 wrote: »

The trouble with changing the locks is that that escalates matters, and it's against the terms of 99% of leases. That's not unfair, as the landlord needs access if there's an emergency.

So, the sequence is:
1. Change the locks (it's my right innit!)
2. Find somewhere else to live.

Zzzzzz, this again ? If theres an emergency the landlord can kick the door down.

A tenant should be able to live without random people entering at will without permission.

GDB2222

sequence wrote: »

Zzzzzz, this again ? If theres an emergency the landlord can kick the door down.

A tenant should be able to live without random people entering at will without permission.

Absolutely agree that the tenant should not be disturbed, but it's ridiculous to suggest that the landlord should not have a key to a property he's responsible for. On a practical point, if a tenant of mine ever changed the locks (not that I have ever given them cause to), I would end the tenancy at the first opportunity.

I agree that these argument have been rehearsed many times over, but it's foolish to egg people on to take action that could leave them homeless.