Agent showing people around property without permission

Angelhales2601

We checked out of a property last week however an email they have since sent has shown they entered the property prior to us checking out whilst we were out at work and without our permission.

Now I thought this was against the rules and tenancy agreement etc so is there anything that can be done about it?

Also when it comes to reasonable wear and tear for a period of 18+ months what would this be classed as?

Thank you.

dancingfairy

No they shouldn't really have done it. They should have at least given you notice, although now after the event I'm not sure there is much you can about it. Yes you can complain but I'm not sure it will get you very far and you won't get any compensation or anything so I think you're best off chalking it down to experience and forgetting about it.
I'm not sure how people being shown around the house has anything to do with wear and tear - I presume that they are saying that when they were doing viewings they noticed that x,y,z needed work doing or something? What deductions have they proposed from your deposit? If you provide more info then people can advise better. Also is your deposit protected with one of the schmes?
df

pararct

If you have already moved out and never actually discovered the fact they had done this until you moved out why would it matter? Your only defence would be to refuse viewings (and by changing the barrel in the lock, keeping the existing to replace when you moved out) whilst your were in situ. This doesn't need to be written into the agreement as there is case law set down to enforce the point that tenants are entitled to 'quiet enjoyment'.

As for your second point how long is a piece of string? Take the carpet, was it just you and your partner which walked over it or did you have the third battalion of the coldstream guards over for tea every night?

dancingfairy

After 18 months I'd expect most things to be pretty much the same as they were before. O.K the sofa might be a little squashed etc from being sat on and there might be the odd mark on something but it would have to be very,very minor to be classed as wear and tear for 18 months in a property. The carpet might have little dents/dimples in where furniture was and any baking trays/saucepans you would not expect to look as new but pretty much everything else would still look the same I would think.
df

G_M

Angelhales2601 wrote: »

We checked out of a property last week however an email they have since sent has shown they entered the property prior to us checking out whilst we were out at work and without our permission.

Now I thought this was against the rules and tenancy agreement etc so is there anything that can be done about it?

Also when it comes to reasonable wear and tear for a period of 18+ months what would this be classed as?

Thank you.

They should get your permission for access.

You could sue for your consequential losses. Exactly how much have you lost as a result of their access?

Only a court or arbitration service can decide what is reasonable. The best way to resolve this when agreeing/dicussing (presumably) deductions from your deposit, however, is to reach a common sense agreement. Give us a clue what sort of deductions are being proposed and doubtless we can offer the Man-On-The-Clapham-Omnibus's opinion.

taxsaver

pararct wrote: »

As for your second point how long is a piece of string? Take the carpet, was it just you and your partner which walked over it or did you have the third battalion of the coldstream guards over for tea every night?

I'm pretty sure that I've heard that the third battalion are very good at removing their shoes when they visit.

Yorkie1

Yeah, it's the second battalion you need to watch out for !!

Nixer

For those asking why it matters: it might be that the agent does not know that they aren't allowed to go in without the tenant's permission and thus the OP pointing out their mistake might spare the next tenant the bother of having to educate said agent. Agents should know this, but it's surprising how many don't and they'll never learn if they aren't pulled up on it.

G_M

Nixer wrote: »

For those asking why it matters: it might be that the agent does not know that they aren't allowed to go in without the tenant's permission and thus the OP pointing out their mistake might spare the next tenant the bother of having to educate said agent. Agents should know this, but it's surprising how many don't and they'll never learn if they aren't pulled up on it.

Well yes but suggesting an ex-tenant who has nothing to gain should altruistically take on an agent-education/training role is a bit far-fetched!

In an ongoing tenancy, sure, but here.....?

vax2002

The reason locks where invented

G_M

vax2002 wrote: »

The reason locks where invented

And where locks are not invented, there is no reason.......