Letting Agent let themselves in without permission...

quidsy

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/content/tenant-changed-locks

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

You are not at the mercy of the LL, only that they could if they wanted risk losing rent whilst trying to let the property & only after several months of lengthy & costly evections notices & court orders. And that again is dependant on them following correct prodecure in servicing those notices.

In the mean time tenant whilst still paying rent, can refuse access if they so wish. Most sensible LL will not bother if that is the only thing the tenant has done wrong.

Gavin83

Ok, we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, I happen to think most LL would want access to their property.

Of course eviction won't be the first course of action, they'll either likely ask you to put the original locks back or give them a key. If you refuse it'll be up to the LL as to what they wish to do. Like most situations in life they'll have to weigh up the positives and negatives of getting rid. If your an otherwise perfect tenant they may let it go.

I think a lot depends on where you live as well. If I left my property I'd be replaced within hours. If you live in a rural area where finding tenants is more difficult they're likely to be more accommodating.

quidsy

Of course eviction won't be the first course of action, they'll either likely ask you to put the original locks back or give them a key.

If the LL is sto inclined it is their only course of action as the tenant can refuse to give a copy of the key. There is no right for a LL or anyone except the current tenant to hold keys to the property the tenant is legally renting. Did you read the links?

old_fat_biker_bloke

Gavin83 wrote: »

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.

Thanks - This is where I get confused; they are an agent of someone else who owns the house but it's our home. We pay £1K a month to live here and are surly entitled to privacy? This was just an 'inspection', I accept they could gain access in an emergency but this really wasn't... My daughter is traumatised by these events, it has really frightened her!!!

halibut2209

Did they send you a letter saying that this would be the day of the inspection? If so, then they are quite within their rights.

quidsy

OP you haven't stated what time they specified for inspection?

ShadowPuma

So the inspection was arranged with just a day and NOT a time? Firstly I would have been asking for a time.

I don't believe that the agent should be able to let themselves in without due warning and without you refusing access previously.

But if anyone has any information on that I'd be grateful to hear it since the agents for my current home did the inspection (supposedly, cannot confirm they were actually here as they wont let us see the report) without notice and by letting themselves in. I was kind of furious myself and I don't have young children!

quidsy

That is against the law, read the links I have provided. ALl the information is there, Shelter also has a lot of useful information on access rights, 24hrs notice must be given & agreed. They have no right under law to enter property without your permission unless in a very set few emergency situations or with a court order.

old_fat_biker_bloke

quidsy wrote: »

OP you haven't stated what time they specified for inspection?

Sorry - They never stipulate as they do their inspections by 'area' - Historically it's always been around lunchtime

old_fat_biker_bloke

ShadowPuma wrote: »

So the inspection was arranged with just a day and NOT a time? Firstly I would have been asking for a time.

I don't believe that the agent should be able to let themselves in without due warning and without you refusing access previously.

But if anyone has any information on that I'd be grateful to hear it since the agents for my current home did the inspection (supposedly, cannot confirm they were actually here as they wont let us see the report) without notice and by letting themselves in. I was kind of furious myself and I don't have young children!

Hi - Like I said to the other post they've only ever said a day never a time as they inspect by area - Historically it's always been around lunchtime. This has really scared my little girl......