Pest control in my rental protental with less than 24h notice

leespot

The landlord has a right to ensure his or hers property is safeguarded from pests (rodents etc). He has a duty to maintain the property in the agreement and I'm sure if you had a leaky pipe or similar you'd expect them to sort it very quickly - or would you leave it until the damage was at a point that it would be expensive to fix?

I'm a landlord and if my tenants reported a rodent issue or similar then I'd want it sorted sharpish to protect them and me (in fact, a couple of years ago I was told about rats in the garden - I attended the same day with my own devices / poisons etc and then instructed a company to follow up on that). If you'd changed the locks on my property without telling me, you'd be getting the bill for that also. I'm a fair landlord, but there are some things you can't negotiate on, and this is one of them I'm afraid.

Chloe14

I may have said something wrong but I have really important appointments tomorrow that I can afford to miss.

SerialRenter

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

Or alternatively bill for a locksmith to gain entry which in an emergency circumstance is perfectly reasonable for the landlord to charge.

It's not an emergency, gaining access in such a way would not be the correct approch.

Is the tenant being reasonable? probably not
Does the tenant have exclusive possession? Yes
Can a landlord forcibly enter the room? Defiantly not

S21 would be the correct approach. Not a locksmith.

Chloe14

leespot wrote: »

If you'd changed the locks on my property without telling me, you'd be getting the bill for that also. I'm a fair landlord, but there are some things you can't negotiate on, and this is one of them I'm afraid.

There was previously a case of theft in the property and this the only reason I changed the locks. Recently, one of the other tenant has made the same.

leespot

Chloe14 wrote: »

I may have said something wrong but I have really important appointments tomorrow that I can afford to miss.

Give the landlord a spare key to get in? I'm sure that can be arranged easily enough.

You still need to inform the landlord of the lock change, regardless of the reason. What is the pest control issue? Rats? Mice?

SerialRenter

leespot wrote: »

You still need to inform the landlord of the lock change, regardless of the reason.

I disagree.

The property must be returned to the landlord in the same state it was received in, less fair wear and tear.

The tenant can change the locks, as long as the original lock is installed before the tenancy ends.

If there was previously a theft, that's a very good reason to change the locks. Not to mention the possibilities of dodgy landlords, previous tenants or other services having a copy.

AnnieO1234

As the OP has continually failed to say what pests this relates to, I fail to see how anyone can say this isn't potentially an emergency.

I have no idea where OP is but if it's near a flooded area particularly and the problem is rats then this becomes a PUBLIC HEALTH issue with such problems at leptospirosis etc.

Leave a set key with a neighbour, arrange for the landlord to meet you the day before with a spare, do what you can OP to get this sorted. Yes, I agree we all have appointments and things that can't be changed, but that doesn't mean that the world comes to a stop for everyone else in your building.

jjlandlord

The landlord cannot charge you in the circumstances if you changed the locks.

gordonbennet

Whether we agree with the OP or not, she does have a right to at least 24 hours notice before this visit from the pest controllers. She may have all sorts or reasons for not wanting stangers in her flat without her supervision. Please note she is not saying no to the visit, just asking to postpone it to when she can be there, and even to over the costs herself.

Enough with the mob mentality and respect her rights!

leespot

SerialRenter wrote: »

I disagree.

The property must be returned to the landlord in the same state it was received in, less fair wear and tear.

The tenant can change the locks, as long as the original lock is installed before the tenancy ends.

If there was previously a theft, that's a very good reason to change the locks. Not to mention the possibilities of dodgy landlords, previous tenants or other services having a copy.

What do you disagree with? I'd have no objection to the tenant changing locks considering they'd given me a heads up - common courtesy I'd say. I'd have an objection to them doing it without telling me, because at the end of the tenancy (or before!) if they just !!!!!! off, how do I get access to the house again? Pay for a locksmith??

There is a potential for damage to the property which the landlord cannot stop because the tenant says its not convenient. That is not right.