Private LL letting workmen in without permission.

hgotsparkle

About a month ago, we had an air brick fitted in the bedroom of our private rental as there was no ventilation, and it was causing black mold. The builder that is "mates" with our landlady first came to fit it whilst I was at home. He then had to come back to finish filling in the surround of the vent, so I told him that whenever my car is parked on the drive, I'm at home so pop in then. A week later, when I got in from work there was a letter from our LL (who lives in the adjoining property) to say that she'd let the builder in to finish the work as no one was home. We hadn't given permission for her to enter so what can I do about this? I have kept the letter. We rent through an agency.

Old_Git

I would do nothing as LL lives next door .I would change the lock and pass no comment.

theartfullodger

As old git says.... But maybe expect S21 by return after someone tries to get in.

For a VERY long thread on a closely related subject see here....
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?26589-L-s-right-of-access-for-inspection-or-viewing

Cheers!

jjlandlord

hgotsparkle wrote: »

We hadn't given permission for her to enter so what can I do about this? I have kept the letter.

You can thank your landlady for taking repairs and health matter seriously. Then, you can politely remind her that you had said that you wanted to be present whenever workers had to attend.

moneyistooshorttomention

jjlandlord wrote: »

You can thank your landlady for taking repairs and health matter seriously. Then, you can politely remind her that you had said that you wanted to be present whenever workers had to attend.

...and that 24 hours notice is required by law for the landlord (or, presumably, their workman) to come in.

G_M

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

...and that 24 hours notice is required by law for the landlord (or, presumably, their workman) to come in.

No point labouring the point and threatening 'the law' esp as LL is next door. Make your point but keep it friendly.

At least he mold issue is being resolved.

ps - wht is the relevance of "The builder that is "mates" with our landlady..." (other than, perhaps, he is less likely to rip stuff off from you in your absence.)

hgotsparkle

G_M wrote: »

No point labouring the point and threatening 'the law' esp as LL is next door. Make your point but keep it friendly.

At least he mold issue is being resolved.

ps - wht is the relevance of "The builder that is "mates" with our landlady..." (other than, perhaps, he is less likely to rip stuff off from you in your absence.)

As we have had an ongoing battle with trying to get the mold sorted, it hasn't been easy. And its been hard to call someone in for ourselves, its always someone she knows.

BitterAndTwisted

Well, if it hasn't been easy to get this problem sorted, just be glad that it has. Landlords can be accused of letting the property fall into disrepair when tenants complain and then don't allow access.

G_M

hgotsparkle wrote: »

As we have had an ongoing battle with trying to get the mold sorted, it hasn't been easy. And its been hard to call someone in for ourselves, its always someone she knows.

All the more reason to be diplomatic in your response (even if you are justifiably angry!).

It is always up to the owner/landlord to find/select contractors, not the tenant. And if they want to use someone they know, well, so would I! Far rather use a known trustd workman than a stranger from yellow pages. What matters is whether the work is done, and done properly, not who does it.