Landlord coming into flat when I'm not at home

Aphrodite_x

thesaint wrote: »

Yes, your method is much more sensible.

Sarcasm much?

No need for it really, I've not been in this situation before, so not sure how to deal with it.

All I wanted to know is if LL has been coming in during the day, without causing any arguments etc.


Thank you everyone for your advice.

diamond_dave

As a landlord I would never visit a property without someone being there! That's creepy and it could leave him open to all sorts of problems. The trouble is that you haven't got a proper tenancy agreement and what about the deposit? You are entitled to "quiet enjoyment". Please be careful - I would not trust anyone who entered without my permission.

tbs624

Regardless of rent level, any LL who:

(a) fails to scheme register a tenant's deposit and provide the prescribed information within the legally required timespan

(b) lets himself into the property unannounced

(c) appears to be deceptive about the existence of a tenancy (ie calling round for monthly cash rent payments)

is not what I would describe as a "good" LL. Seeing promptly to repairs does not exclude proper advance agreement for access.

OP - as Yorkie says, is a current gas safety cert in existence ( if gas appliances at the property) ?

Do you obtain receipts for your cash rent payments?

Who pays the Council Tax for the property?

Kynthia

If he's not creepy, he's repairing things and you're happy with the relationship then the polite approach is best to try first. If you'd rather not just say to him "have you been coming in while I'm not here as I don't like it and rather you let me know first", you could mention to him that you're a but worried as you think someone's been coming in a few times while your out and it's really unsettling you. Say that you're worried it's a previous tenant/owner/random person with a key and your stuff could get stolen or it's a stalker, so could you change the lock. Then if he says into to worry as it's him, you could then say about letting you know first as it's been really unsettling and stopping you relax in your new home. Just a suggestion. Obviously you are totally within your rights to go through a formal route as well as insisting he follow the law and protect your deposit too, and no one would think you were wrong to do this.

anotheruser

The thread test is a good way to go about it before going into a conversation all guns blaring. As you've said you're not entirely sure so best not go accusing without some sort of proof entry has happened.

However won't it break when you go in?

Alternatively grab a single piece of hair and use some spit to hold it between the door and frame OUTSIDE of the door. If it's gone when you're back you know someone has entered the property.
Thread and tape will work fine too but is slightly more noticeable. However as the intruder won't be looking for it and it'll be small then it should work fine.

poppysarah

Change the rent to paid by bank - say you don't feel comfortable getting the cash out.

datlex

Get a non wired intruder alarm and set it when you go out. It should discourage him if it goes off when he comes round.

tbs624

Aphrodite_x wrote: »

I met my landlord for the first time the night I moved in (his ex wife did the viewing). When we sat down to have a chat, his first words to me where 'none of this contract p*sh. you have a problem, you come to me, if I have a problem I'll come to you, deal?'

Just looking back at what the OP originally said, there appears to be some Scottish phraseology there. Should this rental property actually be in Scotland then the LL is of course obliged to register with the local Council - it is an offence to fail to do so.

https://www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk/

tbs624

anotheruser wrote: »

The thread test is a good way to go about it before going into a conversation all guns blaring. As you've said you're not entirely sure so best not go accusing without some sort of proof entry has happened.

Note that the OP has said:

I just have a problem with him coming into the flat when I'm not there, and not telling me!! First it happened when I noticed the toilet pan was a bit shaky. I told him about it, because I was concerned it would fall off. He came to have a look, said he would fix it over the next few days and be in touch. He did get in touch, to tell me it was fixed. After he had already been in to fix it. Same with the shower door. It fell on top of me, I told him, and it was only when I noticed the fixings had gone from the wall that I realised he had been in again.

anotheruser wrote: »

Alternatively grab a single piece of hair and use some spit to hold it between the door and frame OUTSIDE of the door. If it's gone when you're back you know someone has entered the property.
Thread and tape will work fine too but is slightly more noticeable. However as the intruder won't be looking for it and it'll be small then it should work fine.

What a waste of time and energy, while T continues to feel ill at ease in her home. The fact that a bit of spit tethered hair may have moved proves nothing - a LL having made repairs without prior access agreement is clear evidence that he has entered the property in the Ts absence. Yep, great to get repairs sorted but LL needs to comply with the law on access, whether for repairs or inspections.

Lord_Baltimore

What a completely fictitious load of old drivel this thread is.

I can't wait for the bit when the OP gets home and finds the landlord dressed in her underwear, spanner in hand (ooer missus) doing 'some more repairs'.

Even Eastenders have better plot lines.