Home visits from council

I have an on-going dispute with my council. I dont really want to go into the ins and outs of the situation on public boards.

But, this morning a council official called at my address to drop some notes off.

I have copies of all these papers already so didnt need them again, i wasn't warned of this visit and it was at 6.30am.

Are they allowed to come round at this time of day? It doesn't seem right to me.
Lightbulb moment Dec 2005 - debt £23700

June 2010 - £17984.21
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Comments

  • I would be flippin livid at that and as a big fan of complaining when something's wrong, I write a formal complaint stating that the hours were entrely unsociable, disruptive and gave you cause for concern that there was some sort of emergency.

    Having siad that, I used to work for a council and apart from the binmen, I don't recall anyone working at 6 am in the morning, and in the middle of winter - wow, maybe there's a jobs worth or PERHAPS they were checking to see if you were at that address and not sleeping elsewhere?
    Integrity is a dying art!:p
  • taxi97w
    taxi97w Posts: 1,526 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Photogenic
    I think anyone's allowed to come around whenever they like. Too early in the morning may be rude and inconsiderate, but I don't think it's an illegal-if that's what you mean.
    more dollar$ than sense
  • Hi WelshCakes,

    A complaint has gone through already, mainly to do with his rude, aggressive nature than the time of the call.

    If he was coming round to try and catch me out or see if i was there, then he really must get up earlier, i start work at 4am! Im not on any benefits anymore either so it doesnt matter where i sleep, so imo he didnt really have any right to turn up int he middle of the night.
    Lightbulb moment Dec 2005 - debt £23700

    June 2010 - £17984.21
  • Maybe he was dropping them off on his way to work.
    (AKA HRH_MUngo)
    Member #10 of £2 savers club
    Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology: Terry Eagleton
  • peter999
    peter999 Posts: 7,102 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If he was coming round to try and catch me out or see if i was there, then he really must get up earlier, i start work at 4am! Im not on any benefits anymore either so it doesnt matter where i sleep
    Would it be relevant to the dispute that you live there ??
    Equally finding you are not there on unannounced visit can't tell them much, other them nosing around & they may just be wasting their time.

    Sounds strange, as would not expect council employees to do anything out of hours, unless there was urgent reason.
    Maybe he just lost the plot & thought it was ok to come round at 6:30am !!

    peter999
  • seven day weekend - I agree he was dropping them off on his way to work. Solicitor tried to call him and he had gone home early today, not suprised with that early start!

    Peter999 - No it wouldn't be relevant to dispute if i was here or not. Even if it was, they are more than welcome to come round at a normal hour and come in.

    Its all very strange, i will have to wait until solicitor finally gets hold of him and finds out what he was up to today.
    Lightbulb moment Dec 2005 - debt £23700

    June 2010 - £17984.21
  • Are you sure that it was legitimate, I may be stretching the imagination but he could have been up to anything and I find this very strange behaviour.

    I would have phoned his office and confirmed he was meant to be there.
  • Str4berr3
    Str4berr3 Posts: 666 Forumite
    If someone can please tell me if I have solid rights to have my privacy.
    Two days ago, I had my landlord ( Housing Association) turn up unannounced when I ask if I was suppose to be given noticed before a visit he had replied that there has been talks of someone in this area subletting ( he had a list of people to visit on his clipboard)

    Now dont get me wrong, its not that I do have anything to hide and I am sure the visit gave him a satifyed reason that there was no one else living here.

    Its just that I do not like these sudden visits, I feel that my privacy has been invaded.
    if the landlord was geniunly convinced that I was subletting and in order to convince him that I am not then so be it.

    So, I am am aware that a tenants rights are that landlord should give a 24 hour notice if a visit is needed but is this a solid right or is there some other loop hole?
  • peter999
    peter999 Posts: 7,102 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Str4berr3 wrote: »
    If someone can please tell me if I have solid rights to have my privacy.
    Two days ago, I had my landlord ( Housing Association) turn up unannounced when I ask if I was suppose to be given noticed before a visit he had replied that there has been talks of someone in this area subletting ( he had a list of people to visit on his clipboard)

    Now dont get me wrong, its not that I do have anything to hide and I am sure the visit gave him a satifyed reason that there was no one else living here.

    Its just that I do not like these sudden visits, I feel that my privacy has been invaded.
    if the landlord was geniunly convinced that I was subletting and in order to convince him that I am not then so be it.

    So, I am am aware that a tenants rights are that landlord should give a 24 hour notice if a visit is needed but is this a solid right or is there some other loop hole?
    Did they ask to enter your property ??
    They should definitely give notice if they want to do an inspection in accordance with tenancy agreement.

    I think there is little you can do if they knock on your door occasionally to see who answers or watch your property from outside.

    Also using the excuse of "someone subletting" could just be an excuse for spotchecks, which could be deliberately misleading (lying) & invasive (harassment).

    I think it depends whether he is misleading you & following some spotcheck policy or it is a genuine one off visit/spotcheck (but only knock on door & no request to enter).

    peter999
  • Morglin
    Morglin Posts: 15,922 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    As far as I understand it, agencies (other than government departments) have to abide by the rules which say no visits or phone calls between 9pm and 7am.

    But, this may have changed.

    These people will tell you:

    http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/index.jsp


    Lin :)
    You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands..........for instance, if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset. ;)
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