can a repair man let himself in?

duffer_83

hi,

i've just done a quick search and couldn't find the answer - can a repair man let himself into the flat i rent without me or my flatmates being there and without notice being given by the letting agent? i've just come home to find a man in the bathroom saying he was fixing the toilet because it was overflowing outside (we weren't aware of this). worst part was i desparately needed a wee!! :rotfl:

thanks

RAS

Err.....

Not unless it is an emergency. Minimum 24 hours written notice, at a time of your convenience rather than his

Search for "quiet enjoyment".

BitterAndTwisted

Strictly no, not without your having been informed and had the opportunity to either decline or reschedule at a time that is convenient to you. Landlords and their agents do have the right to enter the property in an emergency but this particular repair doesn't sound like a dire emergency to me.

One the other hand there are any number of tenants who might be glad that someone has been proactive about getting a necessary repair done as quickly as possible before it starts to cause a damp problem. It depends on how much of a fuss you think it's worth causing in this instance and what effect it might have on your future relationship with the landlord/agent and what the consequences might be for getting any further repairs should they become necessary.

sonastin

I'd be calling the police if I found a stranger in my house when I wasn't expecting anyone...

duffer_83

thanks both. think i'll ring the agent tomorrow as i'm not opposed to the repairs being carried out, just finding a stranger in the bathroom when i get home.

clutton_2

""he was fixing the toilet because it was overflowing outside"

would you rather have paddled through pooo and pee for days ??

As a LL i would have categorised this as an emergency H&S issue.. and would have done my best to contact the tenant.. but if unable i may have entered to sort it out.. dependent on the tenant

.. a little understanding goes a long way........



and then we get the "quiet enjoyment" brigade banging on.. when did COMMON sense leave this forum.....

pleeease READ the issue before leaping to ridiculous conclusions about police and other such monstrous pieces of advice......

BitterAndTwisted

Ew, I had a picture in my mind of the lav cistern constantly filling not pumping out ordure. If it was number one and number two I agree with Clutton that it was an emergency

duffer_83

all i wanted was a phone call, i didn't say i didn't want the repair.

no-one would have been 'paddling' through it as it wasn't in an area used by us which is why we didn't know about it.

and yes a little understanding does go a long way - i rang up to let them know that there's running water in the cellar and i'm told the manager isn't in until a couple of days later and he'll tell him then.

duffer_83

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Ew, I had a picture in my mind of the lav cistern constantly filling not pumping out ordure. If it was number one and number two I agree with Clutton that it was an emergency

there was just a small puddle outside which, i agree, could've gotten worse very quickly but they have mine and both my flatmate's mobile numbers and a courteous call only takes 30 seconds

tux900

clutton wrote: »

"he was fixing the toilet because it was overflowing outside"

would you rather have paddled through pooo and pee for days ??.

I think you may have misunderstood. The overflow is for the cistern, not the bowl. (Thankfully too! :eek:)

Mathew

franklee

clutton wrote: »

""he was fixing the toilet because it was overflowing outside"

would you rather have paddled through pooo and pee for days ??

As a LL i would have categorised this as an emergency H&S issue.. and would have done my best to contact the tenant.. but if unable i may have entered to sort it out.. dependent on the tenant

.. a little understanding goes a long way........



and then we get the "quiet enjoyment" brigade banging on.. when did COMMON sense leave this forum.....

pleeease READ the issue before leaping to ridiculous conclusions about police and other such monstrous pieces of advice......

Sorry clutton but I really think your criticisms of the posters is way OTT and this isn't the first time.

How can a toilet leak pooo and pee outside, if it backs up then it'd overflow inside or by the drains which isn't what the OP's reporting. For a loo to "overflow outside" would be the overflow for the cistern and clean water, not great if you're on metered water but not an emergency.

As the OP points out a phone call to the tenant isn't that hard. The agent/LL should have called the tenant and there's no excuse they didn't.

I think the ridiculous conclusions are yours especially asking others to read posts when so often your skim reading produces knee jerk criticisms of tenants that aren't justified.