Landlord entering our house without knowledge

RachelH198

Hi guys just looking for some advice. We have just moved into a private rented house in April. We went away for a week in June- on our return our neighbour had told us that the postman had put her letters through a mailbox, but she had phoned our landlord who had come round to go in the house and get them. I am very upset about it, as there is nothing in our contract that she can come into our property without our knowledge. She hasnt even broached the subject with us, didnt contact us to ask if she could go and retrieve the mail, nothing was said until we approached her - after her hand delivering a letter through our door to say we had paid £10 short and that by not paying standing order we were in breach of our contract - yet she has entered our property without letting us know? Just wondered if we do have any rights?

PasturesNew

Yes yu do. What she did was illegal. She can't just let herself in.

Your best options would be:
- change the barrel in the locks
- set up a wireless alarm.... a bl00dy loud one

mynameisdave

She is not allowed to enter your property without permission unless it is an emergency.

FATBALLZ

Yes the landlord is not allowed to do this, regardless of what the contract says. The can only enter the property if you or the courts give them permission to do so.

RachelH198

Thanks guys, I dont suppose anyone would know of any possible action we could take? As we feel really uncomfortable now?

sheslookinhot

RachelH198 wrote: »

Thanks guys, I dont suppose anyone would know of any possible action we could take? As we feel really uncomfortable now?

New locks to start with

Mouseman

Yes, as has been mentioned you change the locks. A new lock barrel is cheap to buy and easy to fit. Keep hold of the current barrel to replace when you leave the property.

What sort of door and lock is is? Wooden door with a click shut Yale type lock? A mortice lock with a big chunky key that locks into the frame? Or a uPVC door and lock?

All are quick and easy to replace.

jenny74

RachelH198 wrote: »

Thanks guys, I dont suppose anyone would know of any possible action we could take? As pp has suggested change the lock barrel As we feel really uncomfortable now?

As above in bold

tbs624

It sounds as though your LL doesn't understand that she has granted you exclusive occupation of the property.

You could write to the LL saying that you understand that the LL let herself in to the property in your absence, and you'd prefer that she didn't do so in future and/or you could change the lock barrel (keeping the old barrel to replace again when you move out) as Pastures has already suggested.

Have you paid your rent up to date and arranged your SO now? If your tenancy agreement states payment by SO then that is what you should do.

preable

I had this problem i was ill in and in bed (im a male) Woke up and the landlord was in the kitchin inspecting it or so he said so i just changed the barrel in the locks. To be fair i have had worse landlords even one who illegaly evicted me xD

RachelH198

Hi again. So we can change the lock barrel without her knowledge? As it does state that we shouldnt in the contract? I will arrange the s/o on Saturday - we have always paid cash on the rent day, as its a bit diifcult to get into the bank as myself and my husband both work shifts. But the only reason it is written in the contract as Standing Order is because thats what I said i would do. Thanks for all your advice guys