Letting agent wants to enter property

HotTrot

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tbs624

If you are not happy for the LA to enter the property re-iterate *in writing* that the date they suggest is not convenient to you and that you object to their suggestion that they will simply let themselves in.

The property is your home until the end of your tenancy and the LA may not enter without your consent. State in your letter that you have said you will agree to mutually convenient times and dates so they will need to work with you.

Change the lock barrel - it will cost you a tenner and its easy enough to do. Retain the original to replace when you actually move out.

It's really not in an LAs/LLs interest to push current Ts in this manner, unless they want to find potential Ts put off by the "unfortunate" state of the property and/or the Ts' comments about the way in which the LA operates.

HotTrot

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Hump

Best to change the lock if you're not going to be there. If you're there when they turn up and they won't go away then call the Police and ask them to attend to prevent a breach of the peace.

Long shot time - If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... your Local Authority Tenancy Relations Officer, they're probably located in their Environmental Health or Housing Needs departments. They might be willing to fire a shot across the bows of your Lettings Agent, especially if they're a problem Lettings Agent.....

HotTrot

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Hump

Possibly, depending on what happened if it's construed as 'harassment' then a criminal offence will have arisen - someone with more knowledge of criminal law will probably quote chapter and verse.

chris_m

If they forced the door it would simply be breaking and entering which was a criminal offence last I heard of it.
Harassment doesn't come into it in that situation.

G_M

Breaking and entering. No question.

Get your objection to them in writing and back it up by changing the lock. No need to tell them about the lock (after all they'll never know - it's not as if they'll try their key while you're out once they've received your letter!!), so just be polite. "I regret Saturday is not convenient. As I'm sure youll understand I need to be present when you or anyone else comes round. Can I suggest [Tuesday evening at 6.00] instead? Please advise if you'd like to take up this offer"

blt

HotTrot wrote: »

I have recently given notice on a property, which was let under an AST, which finally become periodic.

The 1 month's notice expires on January 13th (that being the last day of a rental period).

The LA has been trying to get me to allow them access to show the property, but there has not yet been a convenient time (due the work schedules of my partner and I - she works a lot of night shifts).

I have told the LA and LL, that I will assist where I can, and that it may be possible in the next few days. However, I have just received this from the LA.



I am a bit annoyed, given that I have told them that I will assist them when I can, but that it is currently not convenient.

I am not sure if the tenancy gives the LA the right to enter the property for marketing purposes during the final month (which we are not even in), because I cannot find my copy (I'm not actually sure that it was returned to me).

However, am I correct in thinking that, even if it does, my right to quiet possession trumps that - unless the inspection to maintenance related (which this obviously isn't).

This can be a really awful situation for the person who actually owns the place you're living in though. I had a similar situation with the guy who was renting my house. Turns out he lived like an absolute tramp and left it in a right tip. Maybe your landlord is worried - and lots of people are struggling financially. Stop being so bloody minded! It isn't about "trumping" people - how would you like it if you owned this place and someone like you was appearing to be awkward?

ViolaLass

blt wrote: »

This can be a really awful situation for the person who actually owns the place you're living in though. I had a similar situation with the guy who was renting my house. Turns out he lived like an absolute tramp and left it in a right tip. Maybe your landlord is worried - and lots of people are struggling financially. Stop being so bloody minded! It isn't about "trumping" people - how would you like it if you owned this place and someone like you was appearing to be awkward?

While they're renting the place, they have every right to live in a mess, if they want to (provided they're not causing structural damage). While leaving it messy on the last day isn't good, the tidiness of the place up to that point is none of the LL's or LA's business. The OP is not obliged to let anyone into their home. (although finding some way to cooperate with the LAs is generally preferable. G_M's suggestion is good.)

Callie22

blt wrote: »

This can be a really awful situation for the person who actually owns the place you're living in though. I had a similar situation with the guy who was renting my house. Turns out he lived like an absolute tramp and left it in a right tip. Maybe your landlord is worried - and lots of people are struggling financially. Stop being so bloody minded! It isn't about "trumping" people - how would you like it if you owned this place and someone like you was appearing to be awkward?

It's one of the things you need to face when you're renting a property out. If you don't like it, or can't deal with it, then don't be a landlord. It might be your house, but your tenant is supposed to be allowed to treat your property as their home. How would you like it if someone was entering your home without your permission? It's a little off for a landlord to call a tenant 'bloody minded' just because they're asking for a little respect for their wishes and privacy.