Letting Agent let themselves in without permission...

old_fat_biker_bloke

We HATE renting but have no choice. We have repeatedly told the letting agent we want to be here when they 'inspect' and do not want them in the house when we are not here - it may not be our house but it is currently our home!!!

An inspection was for arranged today some time ago. Coincidentally my 80 year old mother is visiting. The inspection woman has historically always arrived around lunchtime so at 9.30am my wife was in the shower, my mother in the downstairs toilet and, after a late night, I was still asleep. Both cars were outside.

First I am aware is my wife trembling and in floods of tears holding half a sheet of A4 paper with the words "Called today at 9.30 but not convenient pls call office - Thanks". The woman rang the doorbell once and my kids ignored it as they have been taught to do then she let herself in. My 11 year old daughter encountered her, told her where the adults were and she left. She didn't even call our mobiles to ask where we were!!

We feel invaded and violated - is there anything we can do as she has gone against our clear wishes and instructions? I know we are mere tenants but this seems so wrong!!!

daytona0

old_fat_biker_bloke wrote: »

An inspection was for arranged today some time ago.

Does that mean they gave you enough notice about wanting to visit the property they own?

GwylimT

Hang on, so you knew it was inspection day, the estate agent also knew you were in the property as you had requested, so what's the problem?

quidsy

Change the lock barrel.

You also don't mention what time the inspection was arranged for. If it was for later in the day call & ask why 1) they came at an earlier time & 2) why she thought it acceptable to let herself in.

but pretty mucht he only way to stop this kind of thing happenig is to change lock barrel thenc hange it back to original when you move out. Is perfectly acceptable & in the circumstances, sensible especially with kids in the house. Who knows who has a copy of your keys, previous tenants, relatives of the LL for example.

debbie6899

quidsy wrote: »

Change the lock barrel.

You also don't mention what time the inspection was arranged for. If it was for later in the day call & ask why 1) they came at an earlier time & 2) why she thought it acceptable to let herself in.

but pretty mucht he only way to stop this kind of thing happenig is to change lock barrel thenc hange it back to original when you move out. Is perfectly acceptable & in the circumstances, sensible especially with kids in the house. Who knows who has a copy of your keys, previous tenants, relatives of the LL for example.

It certainly is not acceptable to change the locks without the landlords permission and could get them into all sorts of trouble. This condition will more than likely be listed in the tenancy conditions. You can not lock the owners/agents out of their own property. You are however entitled to say wether a specific day is convenient for inspection. If no time was given then the agents were acting as per their right. If a time was specified then they are in the wrong. At least they didn't walk round the whole house and did leave and have contacted you to arrange a different time.

bod1467

There's a housing/letting board here at MSE - this thread would be better-served there, where OP will get accurate advice.

quidsy

It certainly is not acceptable to change the locks without the landlords permission and could get them into all sorts of trouble. This condition will more than likely be listed in the tenancy conditions

There is a grey area & most agree that it is not against the law nor is it enforceable in the agreement. The tenant has right to quiet enjoyment & that includes security

old_fat_biker_bloke

GwylimT wrote: »

Hang on, so you knew it was inspection day, the estate agent also knew you were in the property as you had requested, so what's the problem?

The problem is they let themselves in, contrary to our requests and traumatised my 11 year old daughter who encountered a stranger in her home!

Gavin83

quidsy wrote: »

Change the lock barrel.

You also don't mention what time the inspection was arranged for. If it was for later in the day call & ask why 1) they came at an earlier time & 2) why she thought it acceptable to let herself in.

but pretty mucht he only way to stop this kind of thing happenig is to change lock barrel thenc hange it back to original when you move out. Is perfectly acceptable & in the circumstances, sensible especially with kids in the house. Who knows who has a copy of your keys, previous tenants, relatives of the LL for example.

Terrible advice. Changing the locks is likely to end in the termination of their contract and therefore their eviction.

It specifically states in my contract that if I choose to change the locks I am to provide the agent and/or the landlord with a copy of the key. I would strongly imagine that most contracts have a similar clause.

OP, you should probably ask them in the future to let you know roughly what time they will be arriving. However as long as they have given the required notice they are allowed to enter the property, regardless of if you are there or not, there is really nothing you can do about this. They do own the property after all.

quidsy

It specifically states in my contract that if I choose to change the locks I am to provide the agent and/or the landlord with a copy of the key. I would strongly imagine that most contracts have a similar clause.

The LL "could" issue eviction but unlikely & there is no law that prevents a tenant from securing their home. As long as the original barrel is replaced at move out then there is no issue.

Gavin83

quidsy wrote: »

The LL "could" issue eviction but unlikely & there is no law that prevents a tenant from securing their home. As long as the original barrel is replaced at move out then there is no issue.

Well it is of course the decision of the landlord, they could choose to ignore it but they could choose to ignore anything you do. However the point remains that you are breaking the contract terms and therefore are at the mercy of the landlord. Should they wish to evict you they can do.

I'd imagine many landlords would see an issue with this but I guess it is down to the individual.