Landlord being cheeky

g.price

Hello fellow humans!

My landlord is being a little bit cheeky. He came in to do a viewing unannounced with other people on Saturday morning, even though the contract states that they got to give 24 hour notice and started saying things like we won't get our deposit back because and I quote:

"because the bed sheets on the double bed are worn we will have to buy a new ones and that will cost £40" :eek::rotfl:

They didn't even provide the bedsheets! They were left be previous people and were washed and only used as the bottom ones and they still claim that they will charge us for their condition...

Anyway that is not the main problem. I started looking and realised that even though I asked 2 times my landlord did not provide me with any information about my £600 deposit. I suspect that he did not use TDS scheme and just kept the money. I know that he legally had to give us a number and a document with a proof that a scheme was used (especially because I am still a student) but he never did.

I am confused now! What should I do. I am just afraid they think they can push me around and not give my deposit back! :(:( what should I do??

Okydoky25

This site has lots of info that may help you.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/homeandcommunity/privaterenting/tenancies/dg_189120

19lottie82

WRITE to him reminding him of your right to "quiet enjoyment", and ask him to give you a fixed notice period to conifrm if a viewing time is acceptable or not OR provide him with set times, eg SAT 10-12 and MON 5-7 that you will allow him access for viewings.

Legally you DONT have to let him or anyone else in to YOUR flat,even if they do give u 24 hours notice, but it helps to cooperate in these situations.

You are legally entitled to change the locks if you are worried he will just let him in anyway (as long as you replace the original ones when you leave)

re the deposit, again WRITE reminding him that legally it must be in a scheme, and ask him to provide you with the details within a week

send all letters by first class post and get a certificate of posting

in terms of the sheets, don't worry. was an inventory taken when you moved in?

doodlesmum

He"s being more than cheeky he taking the p**s he cant charge for something that was,nt his in the first place and he certainly should not have turned up unannounced my my mil and fil rent out a property and they always give notice and checked time and date ok it your right to live in your home without him turning up like that otherwise it is deemed harassment.

He by law also should have your deposit protected in a scheme and he needs to provide you with evidence of this.Tell him you know your rights and if he does not start showing you a bit of respect then you will be getting yourself down to the nearest CAB they will soon help.He sounds like he is trying it on because you are a student,most of the time if you stand up to people like this they soon back down especially when he realizes the law is on your side.Put it in writing send it to him and keep a copy.Good luck.

lighting_up_the_chalice

doodlesmum wrote: »

He"s being more than cheeky he taking the p**s he cant charge for something that was,nt his in the first place and he certainly should not have turned up unannounced my my mil and fil rent out a property and they always give notice and checked time and date ok it your right to live in your home without him turning up like that otherwise it is deemed harassment.

He by law also should have your deposit protected in a scheme and he needs to provide you with evidence of this.Tell him you know your rights and if he does not start showing you a bit of respect then you will be getting yourself down to the nearest CAB they will soon help.He sounds like he is trying it on because you are a student,most of the time if you stand up to people like this they soon back down especially when he realizes the law is on your side.Put it in writing send it to him and keep a copy.Good luck.

And then pop back here and tell us all about the S21 he's issued!

casperlarue

All good advice so far but back to basics.....

Where do you live? England/Wales/Scotland/etc?
What sort of tenancy agreement do you have?
Do you rent direct from the landlord or through an agency?
Have you checked the 3 deposit schemes to see if your deposit was registered?
Are the viewings for new tenants or is landlord selling the property?

If you could answer these questions all the good folk on here will be able to provide more meaningful advice pertinant to your situation.

doodlesmum

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

And then pop back here and tell us all about the S21 he's issued!

Tenants have rights that"s why they have tenancy agreements.The landlord is not playing by the rules ,telling someone to tolerate a situation because they may get a notice of eviction ,well that might work for some people but i certainly would"nt put up with someone pushing me around when i am paying rent to live in peace and not have someone just turn up .And no i am not a tenant but as i said my inlaws are landlords and they do treat their tenants properly .

lighting_up_the_chalice

doodlesmum wrote: »

Tenants have rights that"s why they have tenancy agreements.The landlord is not playing by the rules ,telling someone to tolerate a situation because they may get a notice of eviction ,well that might work for some people but i certainly would"nt put up with someone pushing me around when i am paying rent to live in peace and not have someone just turn up .And no i am not a tenant but as i said my inlaws are landlords and they do treat their tenants properly .

Landlords also have rights. But they are far less likely to exercise them if a less confrontational approach is taken. Wouldn't a more harmonious relationship be better for both sides?

Apart from anything else, it may not always be in the tenants best interest to exercise their rights in the way you describe. For example, an unprotected deposit means that a S21 will not be valid. That provides a far greater security of tenure, and the lack of any deposit protection can be addressed at the tenants convenience. Isn't that a far more productive exercise of the tenants rights than your 40 gun salute?

doodlesmum

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

Landlords also have rights. But they are far less likely to exercise them if a less confrontational approach is taken. Wouldn't a more harmonious relationship be better for both sides?

Apart from anything else, it may not always be in the tenants best interest to exercise their rights in the way you describe. For example, an unprotected deposit means that a S21 will not be valid. That provides a far greater security of tenure, and the lack of any deposit protection can be addressed at the tenants convenience. Isn't that a far more productive exercise of the tenants rights than your 40 gun salute?

Agreed yes landlords have rights too but they are wrong to use those rights to make a tenant feel they cant speak up ,reading op it really does come across that the landlord is playing on the fact that op is a student and therefore is going to be easy to mess about ,that is how i read it as coming across.I do harmonious too but i tend to feel that if you feel someone is trying it on better to stand up for yourself in the very beginning rather than let it carry on .We cant all be the same .

lighting_up_the_chalice

doodlesmum wrote: »

Agreed yes landlords have rights too but they are wrong to use those rights to make a tenant feel they cant speak up ,reading op it really does come across that the landlord is playing on the fact that op is a student and therefore is going to be easy to mess about ,that is how i read it as coming across.I do harmonious too but i tend to feel that if you feel someone is trying it on better to stand up for yourself in the very beginning rather than let it carry on .We cant all be the same .

I wasn't arguing with standing up for yourself. Just the methodology. From what you have said, even your own in-laws (who you hold up as an example of good communication) are abusing their position...

doodlesmum wrote: »

my mil and fil rent out a property and they always give notice and checked time and date ok

.... Shouldn't they be asking "if", rather than "when"? After all, one of the tenants rights is the right to exclude.

suited-aces

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

And then pop back here and tell us all about the S21 he's issued!

And we will probably be able to advise you that it's void if the deposit isn't protected.