Very worried, please help!

drgreenthumb1238

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Are you in England and Wales?

Are you still in the duration of the fixed term tenancy? When does it end? This incident doesn't allow you to end the tenancy early, unfortunately.

The usual rules are that, irrespective of what the contract says about access, the LL can only gain access in an emergency. He does NOT have the right to enter at any other time if you refuse permission. Even if the contract says he has only to give 24 hours' notice, the law provides you with the right to quiet enjoyment and thus overrides the contract. That being said, I'm not sure how the fact you are on individual tenancies affects that right and whether he retains the right to access communal reas.

You could contact Shelter to discuss your rights, also your student tenancy relations officer. What he has done is potentially criminal behaviour and you may wish to discuss with them whether you approach the police. There are no excuses for his actions.

Finally, consider whether you wish to change the barrel of the lock on the front door after discussions with your fellow housemates. Again, you may not be able to do this if the fact you're on individual tenancies affects this - wait for other posters to advise on this.

Good luck.

I am in England. I was thinking about contacting the University, as he is on their "Approved List" and I'd hate for him to treat anyone else like this. I'm on month 5 of a 12 month tenancy agreement.

Erratta, I'm not sure how practical a door chain would be, considering there are 6 of us who live here. I've currently got the front door on the snick, so he can't just waltz in whilst I'm in the house on my own.

G_M

drgreenthumb1238 wrote: »

Thanks ever so much for the advice. Much appreciated. I think the door is a yale lock so I don't know if I can change that easily. Also as it's a houseshare, it would make things difficult for my housemates, which is the last thing I want to do. It seems as if he regards it as him doing me a favour "letting" me live here. This is despite me paying nearly £4000 per year in rent.

Have you got a screwdriver? (you might need a hacksaw if the new shank is too long)
Changing a Yale lock barrel (not the whole lock - just the bit inside that the key fits into) is easy. It takes 5 minutes and costs £5.

See instructions here. Or google 'change yale lock' for this or alternative sites telling you how. Or buy/borrow from library a DIY book .

drgreenthumb1238

G_M wrote: »

Have you got a screwdriver?
Changing a Yale lock barrel (not the whole lock - just the bit inside that the key fits into) is easy. It takes 5 minutes and costs £5.

See instructions here. Or google 'change yale lock' for this or alternative sites telling you how. Or buy/borrow from library a DIY book .

I'm sure I could borrow one off my dad. It's just the position I put my housemates in, as he doesn't seem to have any issue with them. Also as they are all 20-ish I think they just want an easy life. The last thing I want to do is drag them into this as well.

stepharoo

I have no other advice, and I think you've had good advice from people who would know better than me, but I think you should DEFINITELY contact your university about this incident. His behaviour was completely unacceptable.

drgreenthumb1238

TBS624, thanks so much for taking the time to write that. I shall look into what you've said and report back. As for "reasonable steps" re the smoking, he wouldn't have found out about that had he not waltzed in. Again, I'm not trying to paint myself as being in the "right", but last night was bang out of order.

My housemates want a quiet life, and whilst they don't like the actions of the landlord, they seem to accept it. I suppose that's the difference between being 20ish and 30....

BitterAndTwisted

No, it's the difference between having lived in rented accommodation before and not. I expect most of your fellow housemates have had their parents fighting their battles for them. All it would need is for this bully to turn up several sheets to the wind again and they'll all be looking to you to sort it like Mum and Dad used to do.

Get round to B&Q tomorrow and get some additional keys cut while they're all still away.

slummymummyof3

I'm not sure you can change the lock barrel; otherwise how can the landlord 'gain access in an emergency' in the event of you and the other tenants not being in the property???? If the door had to be forced in an emergency, wouldn't you be liable for the costs of replacement if you had changed the locks?

Speak to the letting agents first thing on Tuesday morning and tell them how appalled you are with his behaviour and ask what they are going to do to prevent it from happening again. I would also be tempted to report the incident to the police under the harrassment act.

BitterAndTwisted

What on earth do you think the letting agent would be able to do about such a moronic bully? He's paying them their commission so they cannot be relied on to do anything for or on behalf of the tenants: they are contracted to their paymaster, the LL.

What sort of "emergency" can you think of where anyone would contact the landlord rather than the more competent, official emergency services? I can't think of one. All tenants are entitled to secure their homes to prevent entry by anyone they choose, including drunk and aggressive landlords.

slummymummyof3

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

What sort of "emergency" can you think of where anyone would contact the landlord rather than the more competent, official emergency services? I can't think of one. All tenants are entitled to secure their homes to prevent entry by anyone they choose, including drunk and aggressive landlords.

I see the point you are trying to make but the tenancy agreement will probably state thet the tenant cannot change the locks......an emergency could include escape of water etc from burst pipes (clearly not the type of emergency you are thinking)

Quite clearly the LL was completley out of order but equally the op needs to ensure she doesn't add fuel to the fire by breaching the terms of the contract. I think it should be logged with the letting agent so that they are aware of his behaviour - sorry you disagree.

drgreenthumb1238

slummymummyof3 wrote: »

I see the point you are trying to make but the tenancy agreement will probably state thet the tenant cannot change the locks......an emergency could include escape of water etc from burst pipes (clearly not the type of emergency you are thinking)

Quite clearly the LL was completley out of order but equally the op needs to ensure she doesn't add fuel to the fire by breaching the terms of the contract. I think it should be logged with the letting agent so that they are aware of his behaviour - sorry you disagree.

It's a he by the way! My concern is by making waves I invite some sort of retaliation. Having said that, if you never stand up to bullies that they continue their merry way. This is why I'd like to escape my contract, as after last night's events, there is a total breakdown in terms of our relationship/respect.