Trouble with landlord - advice please!

meggiemoo_d

Hi,
I'm having problems with my landlord. He keeps on coming into the flat without giving notice, and also when we're not in. I've just tried to have a word with him about it but it got a little heated. I was just hopeing to get some advice as to the legalities as I think he has to give notice before coming around to see us.

The house is a bit strange as we don't have a door to the flat. We are on the top floor (3 rooms) and the house is divided into 8 rooms. It was clearly stipulated when I moved in that from the bottom of the steps leading to our flat is defined as our flat.

His arguement is that if he needs to see us, he'll come only as far as the stairs and call up. I've told him this is good enough and he should call beforehand to arrange a mutually convenient time. He says its his flat and he can do as he pleases, and if I don't like it, I know what I can do!!

I'm actually considering giving my months notice on the 1st of Feb and moving out on the 1st of March. I would then tell him to keep my deposit in lieu of rent. I realise this isn't completely legal but neither is any of the stuff he does!!

We also have a mouse problem and his answer is "its london, what do you expect!"

chant1l

He is obliged by law to give reasonable notice (24hrs at least) and allow "quiet enjoyment" so no unnecessary visits. It is his house, it is your home, you are quite within your rights to get heated and tell him to get out AND deny him access.
As for the mice - get a mousetrap, he won't.

real1314

hmm, if there's no lockable door then this sounds more like "rent a room" (albeit 3 rooms) than a full assured shorthold tenancy.

you rights are likely to be much much diminished in this case.

meggiemoo_d

But surely he still shouldn't just be able to come in when he likes?

black-saturn

So are you saying there is no lockable door leading to your living area? So anyone from the building could come in a help themselves?

meggiemoo_d

Yes, but each room has a lock on it

black-saturn

meggiemoo_d wrote:

Yes, but each room has a lock on it

Could you not change the locks? You are entitled to as he should give you written notice when he wants to enter the property anyway.

real1314

I think this all depends on the type of tenancy, "rent a room" or AST. Unless you know which applies, advice could be incorrect.

I'm guessing it's cheap and not on a full AST and might well be construed as a "rent a room". let us know a bit more OP.

Tassotti

The LL can enter the 'common' areas ie hallways and the likes..He/she cannot enter your personal home.

prudryden

Meg -
Could you explain more about the set up? Are there other people living there? What sort of contract do you have, if any? Does the LL live on the premises? Anything that would help get a picture of the situation. What sort of agreement do you have re: bills, council tax etc.? Is it a bed sit or self-contained flat? Does it have posters showing fire escape routes etc?

jamesd

Find another place to live. It's not worth the strife even if you prevail.