LL keeps arranging viewings without notice

sartois

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Changing the locks on you and preventing you accessing your own home would be an illegal eviction. Of that there is no doubt.

All this access situation needs to be put IN WRITING right now. Re-iterate that you have provided them with access and are not unwilling to continue to do so. That them giving you notice by phone-call or text-message in order to conduct viewings, or anything else, is a REQUEST, not a demand.

The thing is after that tantrum that they had, I am not entirely sure how I can deal with them again... my summary earlier did not do it justice. These people are just... ridiculous.

CC-Warrior

This is shameful behaviour from the LL/agents. They are being completely unreasonable.

globalds

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4974149

Maybe this thread might be a way of sending some Karma back

sartois

Ok so just about to send the following with a few links I've dug up... and put a summary of the call in as well. I feel like I need to let them see their behaviour (and also keep it as something in writing). Good or bad idea???

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Hi LL,

Please take a look at the following (this one relates to changing of locks):

http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2010/07/13/locks-and-keys-%E2%80%93-what-are-tenants-rights/

Note the first line in the next article "It is in fact illegal for a landlord or agent to enter their property without agreement from the tenant"
http://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/landlords-right-of-entry/
And this one offers advice for dealing with tenants who (basically suggesting that you should provide 50% rent back for viewings)

http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2012/11/15/when-tenants-wont-allow-access-for-viewings

After the phone call earlier when I informed you that I had changed the code to the door, your husband threatened to do the following:

• Call the police for changing the lock code (this is not a crime. ---This is currently my home and I am entitled to secure my things).
• Threatened to Sue me (not sure what for)
• Threatened to ruin my credit file (even though I have never missed a rent payment!)
• Threatened to spend £5000 taking me to court
• Threatened to keep all of my deposit
• Threatened to change the locks… (this really would be a crime to “illegally evict me). Please do not attempt this.

To be honest after the threatening call I am not sure how we can move forward here. I offered previously (and again on the phone call) that you could have 1 or maybe 2 evenings a week to conduct viewings, but only with prior notice and when I am also in attendance. This was not acceptable to your husband and this is when the threats from your husband continued (see above).

He also stated that he would rather sue me than have only 1 or 2 evenings a week.

Kind regards,
Sartios

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DaftyDuck

Is it worth reporting as harassment on 101 non-emergency, and asking for a reference, just for the record? Not sure myself... But depends what follows.

Annie1960

Good idea to get it in writing. The links are helpful.

Personally, I am keen on people who behave in such an outrageous way being reported to relevant authorities. I know this will not help you, but may make them think twice about treating anyone else like this in the future.

If the LL/LA is a member of ARLA or similar I would state that I will be reporting the incident to them. If not, I would report them to Trading Standards.

sartois

DaftyDuck wrote: »

Is it worth reporting as harassment on 101 non-emergency, and asking for a reference, just for the record? Not sure myself... But depends what follows.

Hmmm... interesting suggestion... but it's all bluster and threats at the moment... he did use the words 'I will fight you' quite a lot but I am sure he meant in the courts! Anyway, I am bigger than him

The only thing that concerns me is coming home one day to find the locks changed... people having temper tantrums when they don't get their way doesn't particularly bother me... If I had a recording of the call I would more likely have stuck it on YouTube for entertainment value rather than a legal defence!

sartois

Annie1960 wrote: »

Good idea to get it in writing. The links are helpful.

Personally, I am keen on people who behave in such an outrageous way being reported to relevant authorities. I know this will not help you, but may make them think twice about treating anyone else like this in the future.

If the LL/LA is a member of ARLA or similar I would state that I will be reporting the incident to them. If not, I would report them to Trading Standards.

Thanks... my favourite link is the one that suggests landlords give the tenants 50% of their rent off as a bonus if they find a replacement tenant before they move out... I just wish I could be there to see the steam coming out of his ears when reading such a suggestion!

dgtazzman

You haven't broken the law, if they keep it up, report them for harassment, that does happen to be against the law.

Sue you? On what grounds? You have not been unreasonable in any way. It would be a civil matter and I give them little to no chance of getting anywhere.

The CRA's are obligated to report the facts, fact is you have always paid your rent, so anything they do try to make stick should be quite easily removed.

If he wants to spend 5k on taking you to court, tell him to go right ahead, it's his money and he won't be seeing it back.

Is the deposit in a scheme, if it is, no problem, dispute any deductions. If it isn't protected, congratulations, you can now sue the LL/LA and give him a taste of his own medicine.

As said, let him change the locks, illegal eviction.

Good luck, this reads like an episode of EastEnders.

silverwhistle

Dear Sartois,

I appreciate this must all be a bit stressful for you, but thanks anyway for the entertainment.

I've just downloaded an app for my mobile to record in-coming phone calls, thanks for the reminder..:o