Gas Safety Check and annoyed LL (him not me)

toby3000

I see that you're in a difficult position, but as others have said you should change the locks if he comes in the house without notcie or permission.

Even if you do make a fuss, he might not evict you - when my contract changed from a AST to a monthly one my landlord simple refused to believe they existed for a while and then tried to evict me with 72 hours notice (!) I wrote to them telling them that even if they didn't know the law, I did, and I assumed that they'd issue a Section 21 out of spite, but they didn't and were a bit more professional afterwards.

Even if he does get a Section 21, I imagine he's the sort to make enough mistakes that you could drag it out for a while.

On a side note, does anyone know if he should have protected the deposit? Since he makes you renew the contract each year then I would expect that he should have. If he should have and he hasn't then he can't issue a Section 21 anyway AFAIK.

And yes, I'm sure he's dodging tax - just cos he's retired doesn't mean he doesn't have to pay tax. I'd report him to HMRC - to be blunt, it's your moral duty.

GotToChange

But he would know that it's me..........

....as much as he would know that it's me when I "innocently" ring the Council having noticed that three of the trees with TPOs - which flank/are in his garden - are no longer in existence.
(He IS the kind of person who requested that the owners of the empty house at the bottom of his garden - and mine - cut down a perfectly healthy tree so that he could get more light to his solar panels.)

So, do I or don't?
*scratches head*

A side note: I was recently dismayed to see someone with whom I have another axe to grind disposing of asbestos dangerously and illegally (albeit on his own land, which he then sold for agricultural purposes). A few visits from the Environment Agency - plus other complaints from people - and a £10,000 fine issued.

That however didn't result in me living on the streets

toby3000

Well, if you're planning on moving out soon anyway, you could wait until you move out and then shop him! It's for situations like this that I really feel tenants should have more protection - the fact that they have virtually none means that most are reluctant to report landlords for anything

Well done on the asbestos front!

RAS

Did you pay a deposit? Is it protected properly?

HAs the LL done any sort of inventory in the last few years, dual signed?

GotToChange

RAS wrote: »

Did you pay a deposit? Is it protected properly?

HAs the LL done any sort of inventory in the last few years, dual signed?

I paid a deposit but it was before the days of a protection scheme. Also, when I fell one month behind with the rent (about five years ago), he used it for that and to put me a little in front he said. So there isn't a deposit left, even though I wanted to catch up with the rent separately.

No inventory done. Ever.
(But I am a very good tenant - who has actually improved the property - and oh yeah, it has trebled (+) in value. Not because of anything I have done (apart from be houseproud and love interior design), I might add. But I do understand if he wants to make me uncomfortable and possibly be able to liquidate his assets....maybe. Not really sure where my actual life fits into all of that. Ho hum.)

Not meaning to sound like a victim.

Off to neddy now.

pimento

I'd wait until I knew he'd booked one of his extended holidays and then give notice to leave the day after he's booked to fly to Malta (or wherever).

G_M

No deposit left? That strengthens your position.

No inventory? That strengthens it again hugely.

Have you been to B&Q yet and bought a new lock barrel? Why not? Whether your fear that he will come in is justified or is paranoia does not matter - it is a real fear so CHANGE THE LOCK!

BobQ

There is nowt so queer as folk!

Legally its his responsibility to get the Landlord's certificate done. It may be that this guy is just worried by the legal requirement to ensure he has the certificate. The certificate is for your safety so on that particular issue you should appreciate its done for your benefit. Also the requirement is to have the inspection within one year of the previous one so if it gets done a week earlier each year the time will move back.

BG have a nasty little habit of drumming up business by issuing safety advisories of this kind. It can worry tenants since its accompanied by notices that imply all sorts of potential consequences and sometimes is based on not being up to the latest regularions. Its possible that your LL is also a worrier and was concerned that in getting the window man to do the screws he might have contravened the law by not having it done by a GS engineer.

This is no excuse for rudeness of course.

I agree its not your responsibility to arrange these things but another view is that by letting you do this you can make the arrangements to suit your availability.

I also agree that dropping cash into a letterbox is not acceptable. I would inform him by letter that in future you will be paying him by cheque and then post that into the letterbox. If he really wants it in cash I think he should meet you at an agreed time and sign the rent book as proof of payment.

GotToChange

G_M wrote: »

No deposit left? That strengthens your position.

No inventory? That strengthens it again hugely.

Have you been to B&Q yet and bought a new lock barrel? Why not? Whether your fear that he will come in is justified or is paranoia does not matter - it is a real fear so CHANGE THE LOCK!

How?
And how?

Please tell.

B&Q tomorrow - as well as googling how to change a lock barrel (sad really as I was planning a tin of Dulux Highland Falls for the bathroom, changed my mind now.)

GotToChange

@BobQ -

I agree that he was (unncessarily, no issue until now) considering the legal ramifications of the inspection. But the appliances have PASSED the inspection, the issues raised were minor and in no way would have made money for BG as they can be done by a handyman (or me even.....).

He went off his stack for no real reason.

I have gone along with the date moving forward gradually and arranging the inspection myself because it is easier - he ALWAYS acts as though I am not going to do it and was ruder than ever this year (before all this). It is my home, I am female verging on middle-aged, worked as an Executive Assistant in a global corporation - he knows that things do not go undone in my world (unless it is something that I am hoping that he will do).