COMPLAINT - Estate agents entering our house without our permission

allthingsmustpass

Road_Hog wrote: »

Once you're leaving, it is normally accepted as reasonable for prospective tenants to be shown the property.

It is the tenants home for which they are paying good money and they have every right to refuse admission to anyone they see fit.

Whether it is your opinion that it is 'normally accepted' or not is irrelevant, it is not your home.

In the vast majority of cases the property isn't even owned by the landlord, they are simple debtors and the bank owns it. It is a bizarre habit of landlords to misunderstand their role as simple caretakers in these arrangements, that they have the effrontery to feel they can dictate anything at all to the paying customers is absurd.

PasturesNew

When you write, ask them where your [insert small/expensive item] is as it was there when you went out.

Road_Hog

allthingsmustpass wrote: »

It is the tenants home for which they are paying good money and they have every right to refuse admission to anyone they see fit.

Um, actually they don't.

Whether it is your opinion that it is 'normally accepted' or not is irrelevant, it is not your home.

In the vast majority of cases the property isn't even owned by the landlord, they are simple debtors and the bank owns

Um, no, the bank doesn't own it, they have a charge on it, which is why they need to seek reposession on a defaulted mortgage. You may want ot check the land registry for confirmation of who owns the property.

it. It is a bizarre habit of landlords to misunderstand their role as simple caretakers in these arrangements, that they have the effrontery to feel they can dictate anything at all to the paying customers is absurd.

There is no effrontery here. The tenant has been told that having a shed in a parking space is against the tenancy conditions. And even if it isn't, the LL can still serve two months notice.

tbs624

Road_Hog wrote: »

There is no effrontery here. The tenant has been told that having a shed in a parking space is against the tenancy conditions. And even if it isn't, the LL can still serve two months notice.

The tenant should decide whether they want to stay, in which case, lose the shed, or they are moving on. It's quite simple and getting solicitors and courts involved only eats up money.

Shed? Parking space? Are you in the right thread Road_Hog?

tbs624

ag19lfc wrote: »

Two weeks ago we handed in our notice to end our tenancy at the property we currently rent. Earlier this week, the letting agents contacted us as they had arranged a viewing for potential new tenants to view the property this morning.

I called them yesterday to postpone the viewing as my partner and I are currently in the process of moving out of the property.

This morning however, the letting agents arrived with the potential new tenants and let themselves in to our house.

I'd like to raise a complaint, as this is against the law for them to enter without permission.

Who do I raise the complaint with?

Just write to the LA/LL using the address on your tenancy agreement to formalise matters

You say that you are currently "in the process of moving out" - does this mean that you will have vacated before the end of your notice period? You will need to cover your backs so that if the LA tries to conduct further viewings whilst the property is empty you do not find yourselves wrongly charged for muddy footprints on carpets etc.

You can, as has been suggested, simply change the lock cylinders, keeping the originals to replace when you finally vacate.

If you want to reach a compromise you may simply like to offer say three or four specific day/eve time slots for viewings, when you are available to be there.

Just as there is little point in you complaining at this late stage there is also little point in LLs/LAs alienating outgoing Ts in this manner. If they want potential new Ts to see the property in a decent condition it's best to remain courteous. Leaflets about rodent infestations, how to deal with noisy neighbours, some whiffy takeaway residue and a dirty kitchen or bathroom may be what greets the LA when he visits with new T in tow. How many Ts would be impressed by the current T warning that the LA likes to let himself into the property?

Road_Hog

tbs624 wrote: »

Shed? Parking space? Are you in the right thread Road_Hog?

Oops, no, I had two posts open at the same time.This is what old age does to you. My apologies.

allthingsmustpass

Road_Hog wrote: »

Oops, no, I had two posts open at the same time.This is what old age does to you. My apologies.

Also unable to quote my post properly or provide any substance to the unsophisticated argument 'no it isnt'.

This is rather indicative of the sad situation many younger people find themselves in. Being forced to rent from older people who are incompetent and arrogant, and did nothing more than be born at a time when housing was affordable.

A terrible consequence of the bubble is this misallocation of housing wealth. Gifted to the boomers and stolen from those younger. Now the smarter degree educated harder working younger people are forced to deal with these older uneducated self important mis-informed ignorant and arrogant old people in order to have something as fundamental as housing.

It is a terrible shame.

Now witness the further displays of arrogance and ignorance in the responses to this post as they proclaim how they had it just as hard or harder (that one is hilarious) and its the youngs fault for buying an iPhone. Oh and also they earned all they have, that ones fantastic.

Shameful.

ognum

allthingsmustpass wrote: »

Also unable to quote my post properly or provide any substance to the unsophisticated argument 'no it isnt'.

This is rather indicative of the sad situation many younger people find themselves in. Being forced to rent from older people who are incompetent and arrogant, and did nothing more than be born at a time when housing was affordable.

A terrible consequence of the bubble is this misallocation of housing wealth. Gifted to the boomers and stolen from those younger. Now the smarter degree educated harder working younger people are forced to deal with these older uneducated self important mis-informed ignorant and arrogant old people in order to have something as fundamental as housing.

It is a terrible shame.

Now witness the further displays of arrogance and ignorance in the responses to this post as they proclaim how they had it just as hard or harder (that one is hilarious) and its the youngs fault for buying an iPhone. Oh and also they earned all they have, that ones fantastic.

Shameful.

Sad post when many LLs have very good relationships with their tenants and seek to provide good places for people to live.

Kynthia

allthingsmustpass wrote: »

Also unable to quote my post properly or provide any substance to the unsophisticated argument 'no it isnt'.

This is rather indicative of the sad situation many younger people find themselves in. Being forced to rent from older people who are incompetent and arrogant, and did nothing more than be born at a time when housing was affordable.

A terrible consequence of the bubble is this misallocation of housing wealth. Gifted to the boomers and stolen from those younger. Now the smarter degree educated harder working younger people are forced to deal with these older uneducated self important mis-informed ignorant and arrogant old people in order to have something as fundamental as housing.

It is a terrible shame.

Now witness the further displays of arrogance and ignorance in the responses to this post as they proclaim how they had it just as hard or harder (that one is hilarious) and its the youngs fault for buying an iPhone. Oh and also they earned all they have, that ones fantastic.

Shameful.

Maybe I'm just tired, but what on earth has this post got to do with the OP's issue?????

allthingsmustpass

Kynthia wrote: »

Maybe I'm just tired, but what on earth has this post got to do with the OP's issue?????

Its a response to a 'no it isn't' post which contains no rationale for taking that position which relates to the OPs issue.

It also reminds us of the people renters typically have to deal with. Be sure to take anything landlords or agents say with a pinch of salt regarding your property rights since they did not get into their position by having any aptitude for this field or knowledge related to it, and of course they will have their own bias.

Housing is a fundamental need and it should never have been placed in the hands of those that didn't earn the right to be in a position where they can harass and intimidate decent people in their homes.

Be wary of them, distrust them, check on anything they say. I recommend referring to the 'shelter' charity website and where appropriate assert your rights properly and firmly.