Troubled relationship with LL advice please!

sharpee

On Friday our LL had contractors come to the property to fix a leak on the dormer window. He then proceeded to go through our cupboards and helped himself to one of our extension leads which he plugged in posted through the letter box, locked the front door and left. Now we are a little p'd off that not only did he go through our stuff but then helped himself to something, left the extension lead through the front door and allowed the contractors to use the electricity we pay for.

We may be over reacting a bit but it makes us wonder what else he's been through in the house when he's previously been there.

We have pointed this out to him and got back a long email pointing out the things we have done which we shouldn't have.

1. We have 'over pruned' the palm tree. The palm tree suffered from frost damage over the winter and we chopped off the dead palms.
2. We haven't maintained the lawn and now its full of moss. The lawn was already full of moss when we moved in as the garden gets no sunlight, and we have had next to little rain. Plus the fact the garden soil is full of the builders rubble and I am amazed anything grows in it!

So my questions are:
1. We were right to be annoyed that he went through out stuff and helped himself to an extension lead?
2. Can he let workman use our electricity for a full day?
3. If he wants us to look after the lawn does he have to provide us with a lawn mover to do this?

DVardysShadow

1. Valid point. This is a complete No No for a Landlord and transcends all the misdemeanours he alleges against you
2. This is too trivial to bother about
3. No idea.

sooz

He should not have gone through your cupboards.
But how else do you think the contractors can fix the roof if they have no access to electricity. Do you want it fixed or not?
The garden is of no concern. It's how you return it at the end of your tenancy that matters.

You rented it with grass. It's up to you to mow it. He doesn't have to provide you with a lawn mower. Either buy your own, borrow a neighbours, or cut it with scissors

princeofpounds

1. We were right to be annoyed that he went through out stuff and helped himself to an extension lead?
2. Can he let workman use our electricity for a full day?
3. If he wants us to look after the lawn does he have to provide us with a lawn mover to do this?

1. You were right to be annoyed that he went through your cupboards. But using one of your extension leads is not in itself crime of the century.

2. In theory no, but in practice without electricity how on earth are they going to fix things? Any court would take it as implied that if you let them in to fix stuff that requires power you give tacit approval to use the electricity (and it probably cost you about 20p only anyway).

3. No he isn't.

You kind of undermined your own credibility a little bit if you complained about the electricity. I would have focused purely on the going-through cupboards.

As for the garden, correct him as you outlined to us if you feel you even have to dignify it with a response.

rentergirl

Contractors will use 'your' electricity. Deal with that. Going through your stuff is appalling, and his response is petty. So: I think your 'relationship' with your landlord is in a tailspin. Invite him round for a chat: he can't go through your stuff, and the gardening stuff is not your fault. But I fear you will be given notice soon, just because he can. Sorry, but you've irritated him. It's wrong, but that's how it is.

sharpee

I think its his petty reply that narked me. tit for tat

We want to move and are already looking as there have been several issues with the property and LL so would be more than happy to be served notice.

Thanks for your replies!

Lovelyjoolz

Change the locks. And make a point of always doing so whenever you move into a new rental property. Just remember to retain the originals to replace when you move out.

Then the LL can't come in and rummage through your stuff without your permission