MAJOR help needed... typical LA

marliepanda

FireWyrm wrote: »

Dont sweat it. They wouldnt dare force entry and if they did, call the police. Your bond is your money, you have every right to it's return and if they do decide to be total B***ds and keep it just out of spite, I would take them straight to arbitration with chapter and verse. I'd be calling the papers, watchdog, the milkman and anyone else I could think of to report their abominable behaviour. You hold ALL the cards and you are ABSOLUTELY in the right. You have NOT acted unreasonably and just you stand your ground.

Its weird cos on the one hand I know I'm right and I am confident that I have done nothing wrong, rent is paid up, property is in great condition and I have been more than reasonable with viewings (in my opinion, not theirs) but on the other hand I am worried that they DO follow through. I do agree that if they are in their right minds at all that its an empty threat... but...

As I said in my email I cannot believe that it immediately escalated from a viewing refusal to threats of removing a door. There was zero negotiation, no offer of a rent reimbursement, no offer of a changed time, nothing. Straight to ripping doors out!

Out,_Vile_Jelly

marliepanda wrote: »

Im blinking! Blinking a lot! But trying to stay tough... Worried about my bond now (especially as the last viewers came in the rain and didnt take their shoes off = mucky marks on my bedroom carpet! :mad: )

Luckily though I believe it is an independent arbitrator that does the checkout...

Yes, and the arbitration service would not deduct costs incurred through their fantasy break-in scenario as you are well within your rights to refuse a viewing request. Agents will imply that anything can be taken from the deposit, but these days it can't. Again, it's scare tactics: free and effective.

I live on my own and I know how isolating it can feel to be fighting such a battle alone, and how intimidating a threat to your sense of security in your own home can be. These are very primal fears that the unscrupulous prey upon. You KNOW you are in the right; please stay strong.

I would be willing to bet money that they don't bother coming round tomorrow, but if it makes you feel better invite a friend round for moral support.

marliepanda

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

Yes, and the arbitration service would not deduct costs incurred through their fantasy break-in scenario as you are well within your rights to refuse a viewing request. Agents will imply that anything can be taken from the deposit, but these days it can't. Again, it's scare tactics: free and effective.

I live on my own and I know how isolating it can feel to be fighting such a battle alone, and how intimidating a threat to your sense of security in your own home can be. These are very primal fears that the unscrupulous prey upon. You KNOW you are in the right; please stay strong.

I would be willing to bet money that they don't bother coming round tomorrow, but if it makes you feel better invite a friend round for moral support.

I have just looked at the door from the outside. Its a block of flats with an internal 'fire' door I think. The hinges are not visible form outside, so I'm fairly sure to get the door off they'd have to take a bloody sledgehammer/hacksaw to it!

Urgh theyre just so horrible. And I can see I'm going to have this for another month

I also agree that 95% of me thinks its empty threats, but that 5% of them being insane is whats worrying me.

I mean they can come whenever and wherever they want in a months time! So selfish and horrible I wish I did have contact for the LL but I have a horrible feeling she is a similar type of person. Sell it or else.

Blackpool_Saver

I used to insist the landlord took his shoes off, that didn't go over well.....

marliepanda

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

I used to insist the landlord took his shoes off, that didn't go over well.....

Its a very small entrance way so I tend to sit in the living room and keep out of the way, so hard to corral 3 people running around all over with shoes on,.

Grrr, no email back as of yet. Stewing is not the word!

FireWyrm

Relax, they really wouldnt dare and as you point out, its a sledgehammer and hacksaw job.

...in front of potential buyers..? I'd pay money to watch that!

I walked away from buying a house simply because I watched a LA just waltz into a tenanted property without even telling them we were coming. I was embarrassed to say the least and I told the LA what I thought of her behavior. She insisted that because she had the keys it was all OK...I told her it wasnt and just walked away.

marliepanda

FireWyrm wrote: »

Relax, they really wouldnt dare and as you point out, its a sledgehammer and hacksaw job.

...in front of potential buyers..? I'd pay money to watch that!

I walked away from buying a house simply because I watched a LA just waltz into a tenanted property without even telling them we were coming. I was embarrassed to say the least and I told the LA what I thought of her behavior. She insisted that because she had the keys it was all OK...I told her it wasnt and just walked away.

I hope Des has a daughter, thats all I am saying. A daughter who rents a property!

I look a lot younger than I am and cry pretty easily. I could certainly look like a horrified victim if ever there was one!

Its a good job I don't need a reference eh. But its ridiculous that this is what people have to put up with. The LA have been 'pushy' before this, but NOTHING on this scale...

melysion

There is no way in gods green earth they would be stupid enough to break down your door. They are trying to frighten you.

Horrible people. Sit tight and do not give in to them.

marliepanda

melysion wrote: »

There is no way in gods green earth they would be stupid enough to break down your door. They are trying to frighten you.

Horrible people. Sit tight and do not give in to them.

I am wondering what the situation would be if thy weren't both the LA and the EA. Would and EA threaten this? Would the LA do it on their behalf? I reckon not without the whiff of a commission.

I have a rather soft but tall/intimidating ISH friend who is going to come round and be with me between 1.30-2.30 for a sarnie so at least I won't be on my own worrying.

FireWyrm

Like everyone has said before, letting agents dont have to have formal qualification and don't have to even know the law. Nine times out of ten, a tenant knows more law than they do and to be fair, this can work in your favour. I won against my LL/LA at arbitration simply because I understood more law than they did and I was prepared to state my case in writing, clearly and concisely.

You have done that. Your deposit is another matter and one to be tackled later in the month if necessary. Rest assured that they cant just hold onto it and they WILL lose if they cannot prove a good reason for keeping it. My previous LA were also property solicitors and THEY couldnt manage to muster a convincing case for the arbitor so some fly by night operation who thinks it's fine to intimidate tenants isnt going to get anywhere, trust me.