Can my Landlady do this?

Missko

My flat is in Scotland. I own it. I don't have a freeholder so your post is totally irrelevant "thequant". Unsure why you would assume I am a leaseholder rather than a freeholder anyway.




I'm an "accidental" landlord so it's not a business.


Don't see why I should have to break the door down if there's an emergency.

booksurr

Missko wrote: »

My flat is in Scotland. I own it. I don't have a freeholder so your post is totally irrelevant "thequant". Unsure why you would assume I am a leaseholder rather than a freeholder anyway.
if you cannot follow the principle being outlined by the Quant then I suggest you need to re read it and think

I'm an "accidental" landlord so it's not a business. that statement is all we need to know about your level of knowledge and understanding

Don't see why I should have to break the door down if there's an emergency.
however, you will see the locked door in front of your face

rather than post what you wish was the case, why not find out what is the law then you will be educated and your posts will be valuable to others

Also while you are at it, have a chat to HMRC about "business"....PIM1020 - Introduction: what is a UK property business?
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/pimmanual/pim1020.htm

EDIT
i see from your other thread that your venture into LLing is to be short lived as you now want to evict your tenants after only a few months and expect to move in at your earliest convenience because "its my flat"
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5035463

Thrugelmir

Missko wrote: »

I'm an "accidental" landlord so it's not a business.

Letting a property is a business. Irrespective of the grounds for justification.

Unfortunately accidental to often equates to amateur. Swimming with sharks is never advisable.

Peter333

Missko wrote: »

My flat is in Scotland. I own it. I don't have a freeholder so your post is totally irrelevant "thequant". Unsure why you would assume I am a leaseholder rather than a freeholder anyway.


I'm an "accidental" landlord so it's not a business.

You can really tell, to be fair.

You're in for a few nasty shocks, with the attitude that you have.

Guest101

Missko wrote: »

Your landlady is being unreasonable entering without your permission but to be honest I would be !!!!!!! LIVID if someone did this to my flat. It's my investment and I want to be able to get in if there's an emergency. I would instantly serve notice on a tenant who did this. I was astonished to find tenants did this!!

It's your investment, but not your accessible property.

If your being a good landlord chances are the locks won't be changed. And if ur a good landlord you'd probably never find out either.

The tenant has sole and exclusive rights to the property.

If ur 'livid' about this, probably not cut out to be a LL

Annie1960

[QUOTE=Missko;66224559



I'm an "accidental" landlord so it's not a business.

[/QUOTE]

Nonsense.

You are a LL, and I hope you realise that you need to declare all rental income to HMRC.

Some LLs who don't understand what they are doing (i.e. those who describe themselves as 'accidental' LLs) seem to have the mistaken belief that they can deduct the whole of their mortgage payment (capital and interest) from their rental income, and if, in their mistaken opinion, they are not making what they consider to be a 'profit' believe they do not have to tell HMRC.

Annie1960

Cheesymash

I agree with those above who suggest you contact Shelter.

Have you checked that your deposit is protected, and that this was done within the correct time?

Missko

"Accidental landlord" just means I didn't buy it as a BTL. I moved away for work. I am therefore not doing it as a "business" ie to make money, but only for my own convenience. I do, of course, declare to HMRC!


Genuinely not sure what "the quant"'s point is. There IS no freeholder of that flat! I own it and the only people who have any rights over that flat are the mortgage lenders. But they don't have a key anyway.

You all sound really bitter about the fact that some people can afford to be landlords, by the way!

And yes, after 14 months it hasn't worked out in London and I will be moving back at some point. As a tenant, limited security is part of the deal. In the same way that I accept liability for the mortgage and maintenance of the property. You can't have it all ways!


However, I have never and would never screw anyone over.

Okydoky25

Missko wrote: »

I'm an "accidental" landlord so it's not a business.

Do you give your poor tenants a huge discount for being lumbered with an "accidental" landlord instead of a professional one that knows what they are doing?

No? Didn't think so..

Missko

What I also don't understand is that surely the TENANTS would WANT me/my agent to get in if there was an emergency? Or even a suspected one? It would take much longer to get in without a key and by then there could be a serious issue. Ie the flat is now flooded/burned and they can't live there! Just because they thought I might snoop through their underwear collection or whatever!
There is a certain amount of trust in the landlord-tenant relationship. I trust them to look after the place. In return, they trust me to have a key to use in an emergency. I have absolutely no interest in snooping (esp as I'm 450 miles away!)
I assume you have all had bad experiences.
No point getting a decent LL's back up by changing the locks ie inferring that we are a snooper. Esp if you are the first tenants and, accordingly, it's not even as if previous tenants could still have a key.
In summary - if you feel you HAVE to change the locks then you clearly have a bad LL and should think about moving! and FYI I could tell they had changed the locks just by looking eg during a routine inspection. (Which I don't even do because I trust them!!!)
My personal preference is they don't change the locks. If they don't like that, don't live there. Can't understand why I am being flamed for that.