Letting Agents keep letting themselves in unannounced

pinkpinkuk

Hey guys,

I rent privately from a letting agency. I've have some previous dealings with other branches of the same LA and have always found them rude and unprofessional, so made a conscious decision NOT to rent with them. I rented with another agency but my landlord has recently switched all his properties to this new agency, so I'm stuck with them. Meh.

They obviously have a set of management keys in case they need to get in when I'm not there, but I'm finding that they are using them to just waltz into my flat without telling me.

I have three-monthly inspections and came home one day (before the inspection was due) to find they'd come in and done it early. My oven broke a couple of months ago, I phoned them and told them it looked like the element had gone, and it took a week and one "surprise!" visit (when I was in the shower, thoughtfully) before they confirmed that the element had gone and arranged for an engineer to come round, the day /before/ we arranged, with the management keys to let himself in.

This morning I called in sick from work, having a duvet day and feeling thoroughly sorry for myself, when I hear someone trying to get in my door (my keys were on the inside). I answer it and its someone from LA wanting to do an inspection! I told them I don't have an inspection booked today and showed them the booking card for Thursday, and turned him away. I've since phoned them up, had a good moan and insisted they put a note on my file that I need at least 24 hours notice of any visits, and unless its an emergency I'd like them to come when I will be at home.

From previous experience I very much doubt they've got the message. Is there anything I can do if this continues? I appreciate why they need management keys, but I don't like them just rocking up and letting themselves into my house without notice.

googler

Many, many threads in this forum on same subject

Search for the phrase "quiet enjoyment" to find them. Standard advice is to change the lock, keep the original, and replace the original when you leave permanently

krlyr

I don't rent myself, but I've seen lots of posts on MSE suggesting tennants are within their rights to change the barrel on the lock as long as they don't cause any damage and return the original barrel at the end of their tenancy. Might be worth looking at your contract to see if they've made a clause against this - if they have, I would remind them of their legal obligations. It is not about making a note that you would like 24 hours notice, but they are legally obliged to do this to any tennant.

http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2010/07/13/locks-and-keys-%E2%80%93-what-are-tenants-rights/
http://www.uknetguide.co.uk/Homes_and_Gardens/Article/A_Guide_to_Tenants_Rights-106015.html

Fire_Fox

Run an advanced search. Firstly change the barrel of the lock. Secondly write to your landlord raising concerns that his agents are breaching your right to quiet enjoyment and asking him to remind them that you are to be given notice in writing of any and all visits.

Whenever you have a problem with the property you should be reporting this in writing, not simply by telephone. Keep copies of all correspondence, the recorded delivery receipt or proof of posting in case of query at the end of your tenancy.

tco03

Get the locks changed im pretty sure thats not on.

pinkshoes

Change the lock! Keep the old one, and at the end of your tenancy, replace the new one with the old one.

As your letting agent should NOT be letting themselves in, they should never find out you've changed it. If they do mention it, then I would have a stern word about the law with them...

pinkpinkuk

Thanks for all the replies on this.

Just by way of an update, I had the inspection. It was planned for Thursday, they tried to come on Tuesday and I turned them away and told them to come back on Thursday as arranged. Fair enough on Wednesday daytime it was a bit of a mess. Not a tip, by any means, but as I mentioned I'd been poorly, so there was a bit of a backlog of washing up and the rubbish needed taking out.

I was back at work Wednesday, but knew the inspection was Thursday, so after work I spent the evening tidying and made it totally spotless. I was quite proud of myself. I came home from work today (Thursday) to a letter saying that my flat is a mess and they are planning a follow-up visit next week because they are concerned at the standard to which I am keeping the flat :eek:

I'm absolutely shocked. If they came on Thursday as agreed the flat was spotless and I can't understand what they could posisbly have a problem with. If, as I suspect, they let themselves in on Wednesday, it was a bit messy granted, but by no means was it that bad that they should be concerned about the standard of the flat. There was just a bit of washing up and 2 rubbish bags. I really feel this is starting to border on harassment.

I've looked online and most website seem to indicate having the lock changed will cost me about £60. Presumably I'd also have to change it back at the end of the tenancy. That's a lot of money for me, with Christmas coming up and everything. Is that the general cost? This is really starting to upset me now

G_M

Write. WRITE!

To the landlord (not agent) at the address on the tenancy agreement "for the serving of notices".

* First, explain just as you've explained here.
* Second, state you refuse to allow a further inspection since they have already abused their use of their key.
* third, agree to another inspection in 6 months time, provided 24 hours written notice is given
* fourth, remind the LL that you are under no obligation to keep the flat tidy. It is your home and provided you do no damage you can live how you wish. However, had they come on the date agreed they would have found it tidy.
* fifth, you do, of course, undertake to leave the flat at the end of the tenancy as it was at the beginning, so the LL need have no concerns.

Having sent your letter to the landlord (the adress may be c/o the agents - no problem, but address it to the landlord) AND sent a copy to the agent ('cc'), go out and BUY A NEW LOCK BARREL.

If you have a Yale type lock, a new barrel costs £5 - £10 and takes 10 minutes to change. Keep the old one and replace it when you leave. You do NOT need a locksmith.

If you have other lock types it may cost a bit more, but they are usually equally easy to change - use google.

A locksmith is only needed if

a) a key has broken inside the lock
b) the door is locked and you cannot open it
c) you are lazy
d) you are disabled and have no hands
e) you are a girl

:rotfl:

pinkpinkuk

G_M wrote: »

Write. WRITE!

To the landlord (not agent) at the address on the tenancy agreement "for the serving of notices".

* First, explain just as you've explained here.
* Second, state you refuse to allow a further inspection since they have already abused their use of their key.
* third, agree to another inspection in 6 months time, provided 24 hours written notice is given
* fourth, remind the LL that you are under no obligation to keep the flat tidy. It is your home and provided you do no damage you can live how you wish. However, had they come on the date agreed they would have found it tidy.
* fifth, you do, of course, undertake to leave the flat at the end of the tenancy as it was at the beginning, so the LL need have no concerns.

Having sent your letter to the landlord (the adress may be c/o the agents - no problem, but address it to the landlord) AND sent a copy to the agent ('cc'), go out and BUY A NEW LOCK BARREL.

If you have a Yale type lock, a new barrel costs £4 and takes 10 minutes to change. Keep the old one and replace it when you leave. You do NOT need a locksmith.

If you have other lock types it may cost a bit more, but they are usually equally easy to change - use google.

Thank you so much for this.

I will write the letter tomorrow. I have the landlord's home address for service of documents, and I will also CC in the agent.

I have a front door with a Yale lock, but this is shared with another flat (same landlord). It leads to a hall with stairs, from which two internal doors lead to the 2 flats. My internal door has a different type of lock. I will have a look at the type of lock and see if I can figure out how to change it myself (or get boyfriend to change it!) and hopefully do so this weekend.

Edited to add:

e) you are a girl

(or get boyfriend to change it!)

Great minds think alike

Blackpool_Saver

G_M wrote: »

Write. WRITE!

To the landlord (not agent) at the address on the tenancy agreement "for the serving of notices".

* First, explain just as you've explained here.
* Second, state you refuse to allow a further inspection since they have already abused their use of their key.
* third, agree to another inspection in 6 months time, provided 24 hours written notice is given
* fourth, remind the LL that you are under no obligation to keep the flat tidy. It is your home and provided you do no damage you can live how you wish. However, had they come on the date agreed they would have found it tidy.
* fifth, you do, of course, undertake to leave the flat at the end of the tenancy as it was at the beginning, so the LL need have no concerns.

Having sent your letter to the landlord (the adress may be c/o the agents - no problem, but address it to the landlord) AND sent a copy to the agent ('cc'), go out and BUY A NEW LOCK BARREL.

If you have a Yale type lock, a new barrel costs £5 - £10 and takes 10 minutes to change. Keep the old one and replace it when you leave. You do NOT need a locksmith.

If you have other lock types it may cost a bit more, but they are usually equally easy to change - use google.

A locksmith is only needed if

a) a key has broken inside the lock
b) the door is locked and you cannot open it
c) you are lazy
d) you are disabled and have no hands
e) you are a girl

:rotfl:

bet you think that's funny don't you, designed purely for effect

OneYorkshireLass

... and if anyone does come in unannounced, smack 'em over the head with a frying pan and claim that you thought they were a burglar ...



well, it's what i would do.

hope you get it sorted.