Insurance agent given keys to my house.

bap98189

I rent a house from a private landlord, but it is managed by an agency who collect the rent etc. I've never even met the actual landlord, he owns half the houses in the village, which is in rural Shropshire, but resides in London somewhere.

I've been away since Monday morning (work) and just got home to find a letter on the doormat from the agency. It states that an agent from the landlord's insurers is coming to inspect the property sometime on Tuesday. It then goes on to say that if nobody is in then they have been instructed by the landlord to give him the emergency keys to let himself in.

The letter was dated Monday, so must have arrived on Tuesday morning - the day he was due to come round, hardly much warning. Even if I had been at home this week, I wouldn't have got it as I leave for work before the postman comes round.

I thought the landlord (or agency) was only supposed to use emergency keys for just that - emergencies - not to let insurance agents into the house. If I had known about it in advance I would have arranged a time when I could be there or alternatively asked my next-door neighbour to let them in or something, but it's annoying me that this complete stranger effectively let himself into my house with nobody there.

Am I unreasonable to complain about this, especially since they didn't at least try to phone me instead of just writing a letter the day before?

I realise there is nothing I can do aside from get quietly seethe and write a letter of complaint to the agency (which will no doubt be filed in the bin), but I'm just interested to hear whether people think this is acceptable practice or not.

Stonk

I would be livid about this.

When I rented years ago, the landlord legally had to give 24 hours' notice to enter the property, unless he had your explicit permission otherwise. This presumably would apply to anyone acting on behalf of the landlord too.

Posting a letter could in no way constitute the start of the 24 hour notice period. They would have to add at least another 24 hours for delivery of said letter, probably more.

Iso

I agree with Stonk. Totally unacceptable behaviour on behalf of agent. They must give you notice and they should only ever let themselves in if there is an emergency (you're away and there's a leak) and they'd have to get a court order in most cases - ie non payment of rent. I'd write them a very forceful letter, my understanding is that they are absolutely not allowed to behave like that. You're renting (which, let's face it, can be pretty bad at the best of times) and you're entitled to privacy. I wonder what would happen if you went to the police and complained - I think the agents have behaved unlawfully... Is anything missing? Did they use your phone? Did they go through your stuff? I'd feel like I'd been burgled if that happened to me.

Mumstheword

Shame you were away.

I would fit a bolt type lock thingy on your front door, and use your back door to come and go if they ever play this trick onyou when you are here (but not in the house). I would tell them they cant come in unless you are there too - as long as you can be reasonable in allowing them some access.

Iso

Personally I'd be careful about fitting a new lock - most leases say that you can't do that without landlord's consent. But perhaps I'm erring on the safe side?

Xbigman

Complain to the police. Entering without permission from you is illegal. You probably won't achieve much but it will stir up the agents and may stop this happening again.
Regards



X

Tassotti

OK Legally, you can refuse entry to your home anytime!! Fact!! Doesen't matter what the AST has written in it. (unless your place is burning down, gas leak, etc, emergency)

If this situation occurred to me (as a LL) I would give you at least 48 hours notice (probably more) and come to an agreement with you as the tenant.

Your rights have been infringed and, if you are the type of person, you can sue the Letting agent and Landlord.

However, as mentioned above, type a strongly wordrd letter that you are totally annoyed and if this happens again, you will take them to court.

I disagree with most tenants rights, but this one is completely valid in my opinion.

Don't stand for it again...Be strong!!!

Tass

jyonda

I'm intrigued Tassotti as to which tenants rights you completely disagree with as I am a tenant in a short hold tenancy agreement and as far as I can see I don't really have any!
Having said that the agents are very good and always respond quickly when something needs sorting but that's just luck as they could be awful and there wouldn't be much we could do about it. Perhaps you could write stiff letters and even take court action but who needs that aggravation and why should it even be necessary? Is there not some professional association they need to be members of who you can report them to? If not why not!? I'll tell you why not, because it's not in the interests of the powers that be, who are probably mostly landlords, that's why not.

jamesd

Your rights under an AST are simple: accept games or risk being given notice of termination of the tenancy. Nice and clear for any abusive landlord.