We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
The MSE Forum Team would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year. However, we know this time of year can be difficult for some. If you're struggling during the festive period, here's a list of organisations that might be able to help
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Has MSE helped you to save or reclaim money this year? Share your 2025 MoneySaving success stories!
Unsettled after Landlords Gas Check resulted in him being in my bedroom.
minicazzybee
Posts: 50 Forumite
Well, I guess the title it a little unclear so I'll give you some background info. Please, if anyone could help I would be so grateful.
We currently rent what would be classed as a luxury property with a luxury rent to match. I.e the property has been lovingly restored by our LL; reclaimed Yorkshire stone floor, all original fireplaces, professional loft conversion etc etc, it is a belter of a property which has obviously cost him a lot of time and money to restore and been a labour of love, and is the LL's glorified hobby and he is rightly proud of the property.
When we embarked in August 2013 of renting the property we had a couple of comments from the agents about the LL, as in 'oh yes, he's very particular, but the property is gorgeous and the LL is a lovely guy'. And he is, but he is also very pernicky to the extent as which I and others have questioned whether he has an OCD. For example he requested that we fit felt pads underneath our kitchen furniture as to not scratch the Yorkshire stone floor, even though the furniture already had rubber feet. Another example would be that he sent a written request stipulating that the grill tray to be foiled at all times. We would have done this anyway, but I thought it a bizarre thing to specifically request. We are happy to work with him, as we want to keep the property nice for US, as well as protect his assets.
My main question is that he texted me last week to inform that the property needed it's annual gas check at 8.30am yesterday morning, and would it be possible for him to use his keys to let his gas man in to do the checks. I agreed as I would be out at work. I came back from work, everything fine, the gas check paperwork carefully filled in the household manual.
The (potential) problem arises this afternoon when he text me informing me that the gas check was fine, and that he had done some minor work in our en-suite in our bedroom and also in the attic room. I had dashed out late in the morning and realised I had left (god I am so embarrassed writing this) dirty underwear on the bedroom floor, obviously not thinking for a second he would be in my bedroom, as I not aware of any gas appliances other than the cooker hob and boiler which are both downstairs in the kitchen.
Am I being unreasonable or oversensitive by feeling quite violated and upset by the fact he has been in my bedroom technically uninvited? My partner is working away at the moment, so I appreciate that I am probably feeling a little vulnerable. And where do I stand by asking him not to do it again? Or don't I have that right if I allow him access to the property in my absence? Technically he gave me 24 hours notice to enter the premises to oversee a gas check, does that grant him access to all areas?
I really would appreciate any help or advice. It doesn't seem like a big deal even to me reading it back, but I am really upset and feel similar feelings of violation to when I was broken into years ago.
We currently rent what would be classed as a luxury property with a luxury rent to match. I.e the property has been lovingly restored by our LL; reclaimed Yorkshire stone floor, all original fireplaces, professional loft conversion etc etc, it is a belter of a property which has obviously cost him a lot of time and money to restore and been a labour of love, and is the LL's glorified hobby and he is rightly proud of the property.
When we embarked in August 2013 of renting the property we had a couple of comments from the agents about the LL, as in 'oh yes, he's very particular, but the property is gorgeous and the LL is a lovely guy'. And he is, but he is also very pernicky to the extent as which I and others have questioned whether he has an OCD. For example he requested that we fit felt pads underneath our kitchen furniture as to not scratch the Yorkshire stone floor, even though the furniture already had rubber feet. Another example would be that he sent a written request stipulating that the grill tray to be foiled at all times. We would have done this anyway, but I thought it a bizarre thing to specifically request. We are happy to work with him, as we want to keep the property nice for US, as well as protect his assets.
My main question is that he texted me last week to inform that the property needed it's annual gas check at 8.30am yesterday morning, and would it be possible for him to use his keys to let his gas man in to do the checks. I agreed as I would be out at work. I came back from work, everything fine, the gas check paperwork carefully filled in the household manual.
The (potential) problem arises this afternoon when he text me informing me that the gas check was fine, and that he had done some minor work in our en-suite in our bedroom and also in the attic room. I had dashed out late in the morning and realised I had left (god I am so embarrassed writing this) dirty underwear on the bedroom floor, obviously not thinking for a second he would be in my bedroom, as I not aware of any gas appliances other than the cooker hob and boiler which are both downstairs in the kitchen.
Am I being unreasonable or oversensitive by feeling quite violated and upset by the fact he has been in my bedroom technically uninvited? My partner is working away at the moment, so I appreciate that I am probably feeling a little vulnerable. And where do I stand by asking him not to do it again? Or don't I have that right if I allow him access to the property in my absence? Technically he gave me 24 hours notice to enter the premises to oversee a gas check, does that grant him access to all areas?
I really would appreciate any help or advice. It doesn't seem like a big deal even to me reading it back, but I am really upset and feel similar feelings of violation to when I was broken into years ago.
Sept GC £42.22/£60
0
Comments
-
To be honest, yes, you are being over-sensitive. Who cares about your dirty underwear?
Yes, a bit cheeky to go into the bedroom, but on the other hand he's keeping the property maintained to a high standard.
If it upsets you, then next time he asks to come round for any work, arrange a time when you can be there too.
Sorted.0 -
How dirty was the underwear?0
-
so you left your dirty knickers on the floor .Where they in the same position when you returned .Do you think the LL was investigating them"Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many"0
-
Were they dirtier after he had visited?
(sorry couldn't resist)0 -
minicazzybee wrote: »Technically he gave me 24 hours notice to enter the premises to oversee a gas check, does that grant him access to all areas?
I really would appreciate any help or advice. It doesn't seem like a big deal even to me reading it back, but I am really upset and feel similar feelings of violation to when I was broken into years ago.
He can enter your property and inspect any and every part of it as long as he gives 24 hours notice.
This is the law, and ultimately, if he doesn't like you, he can evict you.
Whilst he went there for a specific purpose(based on what you have said), and did that as well as other jobs, is neither here nor there as far as anyone that could take action against him is concerned.
You could approach him, and express your feelings in a diplomatic way, but be mindful of what I told you at the start of my post.Well life is harsh, hug me don't reject me.0 -
OP, I agree you are overreacting a little.
Did he say what work he had done there? At least he mentioned he had gone into those rooms.
Is it possible that the landlord also asked the gas engineer to service the central heating? I assume there is a radiator in the bedroom or ensuite, could he just have gone there to bleed the radiator or run the tap to check it was fine or that there were no slight leaks?
Given what you say about him, you are lucky that he did not wash and iron your undies!:) Now that would have been strange!Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions.0 -
I too would be somewhat miffed and I tend to disagree with thesaint's post.
Although it may be legally OK because you have given him permission to enter the property it is certainly impolite not to warn you that other repairs are being carried out. We all have different levels of embarrassment and my dirty knickers are not something I would want to be on display for every Tom, !!!!!! and Harry (no pun intended!)
Perhaps a short note saying that if the LL or his 'agents' require access to all parts of the property next time please can he let you know so that you have time to remove your intimate possessions from view. Keep it short, polite and humorous.
To be honest your LL sounds a bit of a nightmare with his attention to detail. I wouldn't be looking forward to check out time and potential loss of deposit.
Did you sign a detailed inventory when moving in? Have you taken lots of photographs?0 -
I am an LL, I will not get work done or enter a tenanted property unless tenant is there and will stay while work is getting done.
The most innocent things can cause all sort of problems.
You have 2 choices... pick your knickers up next time lol or be there when landlord is there lol0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 353K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.8K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 260K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards