Landlord visiting unannounced

katiecass

Hi all,
I'm new round here and I could do with some advice. I moved into our new house in early December, it's a property rented through an agency although it's managed by the landlord (i.e. if there's any issue we've been told to contact the landlord).
To keep it short, it feels like the landlord+lady still consider this their house - there are many things yet to be moved (including about 15 large plant pots in the garden and a hot-tub, which take up a considerable amount of space), we've only just been given keys to the garage (which is being cleaned out today so haven't used it yet) and most of all they keep on showing up unannounced - a total of about 8 times now, never called prior to coming, just a knock on the door including at inconvenient times (8.30am on a Saturday for example).
Today was the last straw for me, I was home alone with my 1 year old daughter and one of their workers (they run a building company) knocked and as I opened the door he asked/instructed me to open the front gate to let their truck in, without introducing himself or anything.
So far we've been trying to be nice and hint to just give us a call but to no avail - what should we do now? What are our rights? I must say that they never actually come in, they mostly do things in the garden/garage/garden house etc, but it still feels like they're invading our space. Any advice?

G_M

The first step is to deal with this diplomatically. Ideally face to face. Explain you are finding the interruptions inconvenient and would appreciate advance warning.

Either ask for a phone call a day or 2 ahead to arrange, or ask for written notice. The written notice is a right, but may be less diplomatic. If you actually want the LL to arrange removal of things etc you don't want to make it too difficult!

Whatever you agree, confirm in a follow up 'thank you' letter, so it is in writing. This can be friendly, polite, but should summerise the agreement.

Or deal with it more formally. Write, insisting on advance written notice of any planned visits.

A 3rd option is just to be a bit awkward (in the nicest way!). Next time someone turns up, just say "sorry it's not convenient, you'll need to re-arrange and come back. How about next Saterday at 4.00?"

What are our rights?

You have a right to 'quiet enjoyment'. That means no interruptions to your life. You can refuse all access if you wish.

If you have concerns about LL coming in unannounced - change the locks!

Gigglepig

It sounds like they are still moving out - so hopefully this is getting better once they get sorted?

We had a landlord once who came and picked the fruits off the trees in the garden, yet we were responsible for gardening and they even suggested we could pay their old gardener to do it...

princeofpounds

Change the lock barrel (this is cheap and easy). Retain the old barrel to return the lock in original condition when you leave.

Write to the landlord, stating that although you appreciate they have been finishing off some work on the property you would prefer to be notified of visits 24 hours in advance in order to minimise disruption as you have been visited on several occasions at inconvenient times already. No harm in being polite the first time, but if they continue to hassle you then you can get tougher.

rentergirl

Good call on the 'quiet enjoyment.' You have right to be given at least 24 hours notice, but just showing with a lorry is not enough notice and breaches quiet enjoyment. I would first of all call the landlord (and taping the call!) politely explain you you feelings. They probably don't know they have to give notice, as most new landlords have no training, and yes - still consider the property to be theirs. Then put it all in writing, recorded delivery cc'ing letting agent, who should put them right.

Yorkie1

Do not use recorded delivery. It can be refused or not collected.

It is also not legal to record someone's phone call without their knowledge.

BitterAndTwisted

Rentergirl suggests using Recorded Delivery for all communication with the landlord. In some cases this could prove to be less than useless, especially the most important ones. I think she must work for the Post Office

Werdnal

Next time they call 'round unannounced, one of you should run upstairs, ruffle up your hair, open the bedroom window and in a breathless voice, shout that you are sorry, you are in bed with your hubby/partner/wife (or all 3) having passionate sex and if they need to get into the house/garden they should come back in an hour or so !

G_M

Or ask them up to join you.......?

ruggedtoast

Gross. Who would want to cop off with a landlord.

grey_lady

Try and build bridges rather than going on the defensive -
having a good landlord/tenant relationship can be really useful on both sides - talk, communicate etc, be reasonable and responsible. There's nothing wrong with calling your LL and explaining that you dont like folks turning up at 8.30 on a saturday - there is something a bit unreasonable about immediately sending a (less than polite letter) and then expecting LL to be reasonable about any request you have in the future.

BTW - keep the hotbub :-)