Rental Issues - Invasion of privacy

BlushRed

We are in a rental property next door to our landlord. When we took the tenancy we were believed that everything from the gate of the house we rent was for our use alone, including the garage and forecourt that comes with the house. However, this has not been the case and our personal space has been continually invaded with the landlord and family using the area outside our house as a communal area. When we arrived we were asked by the landlord if they could store there tools in the garage and because we didn't want to cause any problems we agreed. However, the electricity for the garage runs from the house which we pay and subsequently the landlord has been using it as a workshop and also any renovations that have been done on their property has run from our electricity supply. I have asked several times for this to stop, but to no avail. Well yesterday I was so fed up with this I switched off the power and then last night the landlord came to our door and demanded that we switch the electrics back on! They were very personal and very abusive. They said that in fact the garage wasn't ours and because they had given us logs for our fire the use of the electricity counter balances this and the use of the electricity has been minimal. However, I have never given permission to use the electricity this has been going on for months.

theartfullodger

Move:

You are in the right, landlord is wrong, stupid, ignorant & abusive but this isn't going end happily.

When you say "next door" is your home originally part of the same building as landlord's ?? If so you ain;t a tenant but probably an "occupier with basic protection" (pretty much a lodger) - see..
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/private_tenancies/occupiers_with_basic_protection

Move.

If you don't need a reference from landlord then change the locks on the garage & house (change back when you leave). Any attempt to enter your property (not landlord's) ask them to leave & contact police. However if you need a reference try & stay friendly.

Cheers!

Cornucopia

You need to establish what the tenancy agreement says regarding the garage. Is it yours, theirs, not mentioned, or shared?

BlushRed

We handed our notice in as we are buying a few weeks ago but have a few weeks left. With regards to the house it is completely separate from the landlords house and is walled off with a gate. We presumed the garage was part of the property as that is within the wall boundaries and is part of the inventory, and initially they asked us to use it to store things not use it as a work shop. They have taken advantage of us and we have tolerated it because we were new to the area, we relocated here due to work. We are just concerned about our holding deposit and whether they try and fleece us that way. It is with the DPS scheme.... The landlord was so abusive and very personal, I feel sick to the pit of my stomach.

theartfullodger

Change locks & get VERY LOUD "shed alarm" for garage - unless tenancy specifically excludes garage or allows landlord access.

BlushRed

No where on our tenancy does it say that landlord can have access. Perhaps I shouldn't have agreed to allow them to store their tools in the garage. It obviously blurred the boundary lines but I have never agreed for them to use the electricity supply not only in the garage but outside to do renovations on their property running an extension lead from the garage to their property. I have also had to put the electricity back on as they refused to leave until I did. Even this morning after all that has happened he is in there!

neverdespairgirl

I'd turn the electricity off, and don't answer the door. If he persists on ringing the bell / knocking etc, phone the police.

BlushRed

I have just spoken to Shelter and have been advised to turn off the Electrics and also revoke all rights to access the property. My husband is in two minds but myself feel that if we allow them to exploit us then the bullying and harassment will continue. What a nightmare!

ACG

your doing what he has asked... allowed him to store his tools in there.
You didnt give him permission to use the electricity.

And if he has GIVEN you logs, great but they were not given in exchange for electricity use were they - indian giver!

ognum

I think that you have partly bought this on yourselves due to your kindness at the start of your tenancy.

Frankly you are moving out I would turn off the power to the garage and keep your head down and move out.

SnooksNJ

ACG wrote: »

your doing what he has asked... allowed him to store his tools in there.
You didnt give him permission to use the electricity.

And if he has GIVEN you logs, great but they were not given in exchange for electricity use were they - indian giver!

Great advice about the garage but if you ever go to the States never use the term "indian giver" because it's very offensive to the Native American's.