Letting Agent let themselves in without permission...

Herbalus

OlliesDad wrote: »

Ultimately if they annoy the landlord/letting agent by breaching the Tenancy Agreement, they could be given the relevant notice to evict (i.e. 2 months notice if it is a rolling contract).

Yes, but will a landlord evict a paying tenant just because they've changed the locks (and that's if they find out)? Think about a potential void period, and re-marketing fees, tenant-finder fees etc. That could easily set them back £hundreds.

A landlord that evicts because a tenant has taken steps to ensure their own security is a fool, and is throwing toys out of the pram.

A tenant can easily justify changing the locks with any number of reasons. They don't know who else has a key.

Edit: the other option that is more "above board" is getting the landlords permission to install a door chain. That will ensure that EAs can't get in, but they won't cause a fuss by demanding the new key.

keyser666

Herbalus wrote: »

Yes, but will a landlord evict a paying tenant just because they've changed the locks (and that's if they find out)? Think about a potential void period, and re-marketing fees, tenant-finder fees etc. That could easily set them back £hundreds.

A landlord that evicts because a tenant has taken steps to ensure their own security is a fool, and is throwing toys out of the pram.

A tenant can easily justify changing the locks with any number of reasons. They don't know who else has a key.

Edit: the other option that is more "above board" is getting the landlords permission to install a door chain. That will ensure that EAs can't get in, but they won't cause a fuss by demanding the new key.

Spot on Herbalus. Re: The door chain, doesnt stop people coming in when you are all out.

swingaloo

old_fat_biker_bloke wrote: »

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!!!

Im sorry but I really feel this is an over-reaction. It shouldnt have happened, we rent and I would be flaming mad if someone let themselves into our property and I would make a very strong complaint.

But honestly- invaded, violated, a wife trembling in floods of tears and an eleven year old traumatised till God knows when. Honestly?

ljonski

One would hesitate to see the reaction when the Jehovas Witnesses call!

Herbalus

ljonski wrote: »

One would hesitate to see the reaction when the Jehovas Witnesses call!

Well, presumably the JWs wouldn't let themselves into the house if nobody answered the door....

KatieDee

I own my property now but when I did rent and we had to have an inspection, we would get notice of a particular day but rarely a time. I don't think the estate agent meant any harm by entering the property and probably assumed you weren't there. Yes, your car may have been parked outside but you could have gone for a walk or on holiday!

If you were really concerned about her entering the property, it would have been far more sensible to phone your estate agent and advise them of a suitable time for you and your family. The majority of the time, if they're any good, they will try and work around you. They always did for us when we were working. If you failed to make contact with them regarding a convenient time, they would have slotted your visit in when they were in the area.

Perhaps she opened the door to see if you had not heard her knock and then, when she didn't see anybody, prepared the note asking you to contact her. I sincerely doubt your daughter will be that "traumatised" in the long run - perhaps you could explain to her that as you are currently renting the property, this person was merely coming to inspect the house. Reassure her that this is not supposed to happen and won't happen again in the future, as you have spoken to the estate agents.

Excuse me for saying so but I also think your wife is over-reacting slightly...I'd be absolutely livid if somebody had broken our tenancy agreement by entering my property without prior notice/permission (although one might assume this was given when you failed to contact them to say it was inconvenient) but I wouldn't burst into tears and start trembling!

It does sound as though you're wanting some kind of compensation, given how strongly you've described the households reaction. What do you feel you should be entitled to, given the circumstances?

I am sympathetic to your problem as I do believe you should be able to feel safe in your own property...I just think it might be worth being clear and stating what you'd like the outcome to be, so people can assist you better.

old_fat_biker_bloke

KatieDee wrote: »

I own my property now but when I did rent and we had to have an inspection, we would get notice of a particular day but rarely a time. I don't think the estate agent meant any harm by entering the property and probably assumed you weren't there. Yes, your car may have been parked outside but you could have gone for a walk or on holiday!

If you were really concerned about her entering the property, it would have been far more sensible to phone your estate agent and advise them of a suitable time for you and your family. The majority of the time, if they're any good, they will try and work around you. They always did for us when we were working. If you failed to make contact with them regarding a convenient time, they would have slotted your visit in when they were in the area.

Perhaps she opened the door to see if you had not heard her knock and then, when she didn't see anybody, prepared the note asking you to contact her. I sincerely doubt your daughter will be that "traumatised" in the long run - perhaps you could explain to her that as you are currently renting the property, this person was merely coming to inspect the house. Reassure her that this is not supposed to happen and won't happen again in the future, as you have spoken to the estate agents.

Excuse me for saying so but I also think your wife is over-reacting slightly...I'd be absolutely livid if somebody had broken our tenancy agreement by entering my property without prior notice/permission (although one might assume this was given when you failed to contact them to say it was inconvenient) but I wouldn't burst into tears and start trembling!

It does sound as though you're wanting some kind of compensation, given how strongly you've described the households reaction. What do you feel you should be entitled to, given the circumstances?

I am sympathetic to your problem as I do believe you should be able to feel safe in your own property...I just think it might be worth being clear and stating what you'd like the outcome to be, so people can assist you better.

I was just seeking the legal angle, what my 'rights' were - I am genuinely surprised and disheartened by some peoples comments as to how my wife and daughter reacted!! They are both very sensitive individuals, that's just the way they are and they shouldn't be judged for it by people who don't know them!! Whereas I, on the other hand, am much harder - my initial reaction that someone had entered my home uninvited was anger and outrage, I guess I'll get a virtual critique !!! spanking for that...

Later people started suggesting I was after compensation, I wouldn't even know how that would work - would it even be possible?! There was a story at work of a guy who sued because he got some grit in his eye whilst sweeping up with a broom and WON DAMAGES - To my mind that's mad, I've got grit in my eyes at work but never even contemplated suing, just blinked a lot and got on with my day!!!

All I wanted was a 100% guarantee no one will enter my home unless I am here, that was agreed with the agent and they broke that agreement. Does that entitle me to compensation? I don't know & I don't care - I just want to know my rights, be left to pay my enormous rent and live my life in peace without the worry that someone feels they can let themselves into my home....

themarsbargirl

but...you WERE there so *technically* the agreement wasn't broken...

Whiner2

Give the guy a break. He wants quiet enjoyment of his home, and on this occasion, didn't get it. He's clearly not seeking compensation, so put that thought to one side as well. His wife and daughter are overly sensitive - never mind, people are all different. Its what makes the world go round.

If I were the OP, I'd pop into the estate agent and say "Hi, please don't let yourself into our home again, I know it was a more than likely just a mix up in communication, but it really unnerved us."

I bet the rental agency would be more than happy to comply.

quidsy

AND change the lock barrel. Then there is no risk of it happening again.