Asking about getting a dog resulting in eviction

GotToChange

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

I don't think just because it's in the contract it supersedes the law...get yourself up to scratch with the current law, write back to them, change the locks and make sure you know what your rights are.

I will do this.
But he would go ape**** if he found out, I know it. (And it's one thing for me to feel brave whilst writing here, another to have to suffer the consenquences of my actions irl.)
As for writing again - it's the Mrs LL that hates this more than him; I really thought she might burst a blood vessel yesterday and I don't want her getting upset (she is a very sprightly, healthy ex-teacher).
Never mind I suppose that I was being screeched and shouted at (defending myself, not attacking) in my own kitchen, told that I "have problems" and then given a great zinger of another one to deal with (and of course, the one positive that I was looking for in life being prevented).

I prefer the thought of writing - but am well aware (however succinct) of the harm that the written word can do; well-intentioned words are not always well-received.

GotToChange

GM - I know you're right. I am just a bit of a coward I suppose; although the thought of (within the law) standing up for my rights (whilst hatching an escape plan) appeals enormously.

Sadly, it isn't so simple to physically change them - as it isn't a Yale lock - but a simple, old-fashioned type (don't know if they have a special name).

mrschaucer

If you can't (or don't want to) change the lock, I have seen the suggestion made that you buy one of those reasonably priced shed-type burglar alarms which you can set when you go out. Nice surprise for your landlord when he lets himself in!

pmlindyloo

This sounds a very horrible situation and I can quite understand that you do not wish to escalate the whole situation especially as you live so close.

Personally I would be finding a friend to help me change the lock.

At least changing the locks would make you feel safe in your own home.

I wouldn't worry about things like registering the deposit at the moment - might just make matters worse.

Could you visit CAB and get some leaflets about renting and have them 'to hand' if they visit? No need to allow them into your home and have to put up with their harrassment just hand them to them if they call. Be calm, cool and collected and after handing them to them, close the door/walk away.

No matter how stressful it may seem you need to find somewhere else to live. In fact I would put the ball in their court and say 'if you want me to go then I will.' You would have plenty of time to find somewhere new because you have, in effect, until the end of your contract.

This may stop their harassment and in effect, 'bring them up short'. They will either agree to an early surrender (when you are ready) or want you to stay. Then you will have them by the 'short and curlies'. You will stay but only on your terms - no more harrassment, payment by check etc etc.

It seems to me that you need to be in control. You have the law on your side. They either start acting like LLs (you will help them do this by telling them your rights/their rights (!)) or you leave.

Mrs_Arcanum

GotToChange wrote: »

GM - I know you're right. I am just a bit of a coward I suppose; although the thought of (within the law) standing up for my rights (whilst hatching an escape plan) appeals enormously.

Sadly, it isn't so simple to physically change them - as it isn't a Yale lock - but a simple, old-fashioned type (don't know if they have a special name).

Could it be a Mortice lock?


This should be just as simple to swap. The only problem ones are those within uPVC doors.

GotToChange

Bingo Mrs A!

Is it "as simple" as buying new lock (standard sizes?), unscrewing (I am sure that sounds easier than it will be....) old mechanism, inserting new one....?

The door is not (haha/clutches sides*) uPVC; it is old and ill-fitting....
*but nice to look at.

BitterAndTwisted

All barrels of locks can be changed regardless of the manufacturer. Google the maker, I'm sure you can find a replacement barrel.

The major impediment to your being able to live quietly and peacefully in your own home is the relationship and the proximity of your landlords. Nothing can change this except you. I think I understand your reluctance to tackle this one but the idea of being harangued and harassed in my own kitchen by these bullies fills me with rage. How bloody dare they? Next time, do not invite them in. If you do and they are impolite and overstepping the boundaries of a business relationship, just ask them to leave.

By the way, I think they are right: you do need to find somewhere to move on to. For your sanity's sake I implore you to consider it. I can't think how anywhere else could be worse.

GotToChange

B&T - right as always.

Perefect example of proximity issues would be right now. They went out earlier (yes, I should.not.know.this) and I thought (hoped/wished) they would be gone all day. This is not (I hope) being mean/selfish - but rather the garden situation; mine is about one-two feet lower than theirs (they have three - front (ornamental), side (bought into the adjacent field) and back, which abutts mine, paved and with swinging bench and washing whirlygig).

However, they have returned and - due to new fence panels in the back garden yesterday (at the end of it, not my/their boundary sadly) - LL is out there up ladders, sawing and generally just, being there with direct line of sight into my garden, patio, dining room, kitchen. There is no hiding place. (And besides, I want to sit in the sun.)

I would normally just sigh and live with it - but, in the course of the "conversation" yesterday, I was told that I always get up and go inside whenever they are in their garden (um, no) and she wishes they could have high panels* between us as she (!) has no privacy (trust me, I cannot see UP into their garden and such fence as there is is well-planted and I am encouraging fast-growing plants to climb it, together with a fairylight-timmed arch and an apple tree which I have grown from a twig with a distinct lean to it - now 7' tall....) - but it's not enough, esp. given the elevation.

But, OK, she has no privacy.

**She said that LL won't agree to this - and I suspect it is becuase he wouldn't (hip replacement last year) be able to climb over when I (ignorantly - there could never be a problem don't you know) fail to answer the door to him.



I know you are right when you agree that I should move - but I am sure you don't mean it in the same way that they do/did.
They still want someone here - evicting me is not because they (although their kids do) want particularly to liquidate this particular asset - just not me.
I struggle with that.
Let alone the whole process/nowhere to go blah blah.

bitsandpieces

GotToChange wrote: »

I know you are right when you agree that I should move - but I am sure you don't mean it in the same way that they do/did.
They still want someone here - evicting me is not because they (although their kids do) want particularly to liquidate this particular asset - just not me.
I struggle with that.
Let alone the whole process/nowhere to go blah blah.

They sound like grade 1 a***holes. I don't know them, but it seems possible that they actually *do* want to keep you in the property and paying rent - but are just being nasty and making threats of eviction because they can. It may actually come as an unpleasant surprise to them if you do serve notice :rotfl: If they do choose to evict you, they may get a surprise if the new tenant turns out to be less helpful - it sounds like you have been pretty good in keeping up the garden etc...so what if the new tenant likes bonfires, loud parties and then moves in their great dane without asking permission

You'll need to decide what's in your best interests. If they choose to do so then they'll be able to evict you once your tenancy agreement expires, eventually - but you could make this slow and expensive for them if you wanted. They might also never actually follow through on their threats to evict you, but just try to scare you with talk of eviction every so often. On the other hand, it would take a lot to convince me to live next door to and rent a property off people like this! Even if the property is cheaper than a place the same size would usually be, you're clearly not getting best use out of the garden because of landlord problems.

Try not to let the fact that they may want you out of the property - if they're not just bluffing and aren't terribly bright - bother you. If a***holes don't like you, there's an argument for viewing that as a compliment!

GotToChange

^ ah, thank you.

I am letting the misery get a grip on me right now and your words make me smile.
As I was brought up by a pair of OAPs, I have always (probably wrongly) has the utmost respect for older people - but after a certain age I guess it all gets blurred - particularly for the more senior of the parties (these two are the same age as my young-to-have-had-me parents, but I'm sure they don't want to be thinking about that, haha). But, externalising it, I cannot imagine yesterday's scenario would seem to someone on the outside looking in. Reflecting on it is getting to me - but then putting it aside - and yes, moving on - means that I no doubt forgive them and put myself in the wrong (a terrible habit of mine). Ugh.
From their attitude, I think they actually like to have this loser next door - and they can then be Lord/Lady Bountiful - or not, asthey choose and within their own sweet time. But now they have expressed out loud/to me their wish that I move (unlike their friend across the road, who wrote it on Twitter for crissake) and it will be held over me like the sword of Damocles.

*whispers*
I only wanted a dog.

(Re. some new tenant moving in a GD - when, in the course of the conversation yesterday, I said that it might have been tempting to "just do it" - he shouted "And you would have been out on your ear within a week!" ho hum)