Letting Agent let themselves in without permission...

Out,_Vile_Jelly · 15 August 2014 at 9:20AM

How regularly are you being inspected? Why not contact the LL and request the frequency be reduced or ended- they are likely being charged a silly fee for this and if you've been an uncomplicated tenant it's unnecessary.

In the 12 years I rented I always gave permission for the agent/handyman to go in while I was out to check or fix stuff. Not having to take time off work for this is actually a bonus of renting, which I miss now I have a mortgage.

Caroline_a · 15 August 2014 at 9:52AM

old_fat_biker_bloke wrote: »

The woman rang the doorbell once and my kids ignored it as they have been taught to do then she let herself in.

I'm wondering why the kids ignored it - when mine were young they wouldnt have opened the door, but they would have been calling 'Muuuuuuum..... someone at the dooooor!!!'

CharlieRabbit01 · 15 August 2014 at 10:30AM

old_fat_biker_bloke wrote: »

In my original post "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!!!"

But you were in. As you pointed out.

I'm a tenant and I like to be in when there is an inspection, just so I can have a chat and point out any minor things they might need to know about etc.

They send me a letter saying an inspection is due we'd like to come on xxx date, please let us know if this is convenient, I call them and agree or change the day and also arrange a time.

I am then awake and dressed for when they arrive, on one occasion she didnt turn up as expected and I had to get to work so I called (there had been an admin error) fair enough these things happen so we re-arrange for another mutually convenient time.

Your LA/LL has done what you asked agreed a day and that you were in, both were adhered to, you however did not agree a time so they arrived when it was convenient for them.

CharlieRabbit01 · 15 August 2014 at 10:31AM

Caroline_a wrote: »

I'm wondering why the kids ignored it - when mine were young they wouldnt have opened the door, but they would have been calling 'Muuuuuuum..... someone at the dooooor!!!'

We were the same as children, we'd go and find an adult even if there were in the shower to say someone was at the door.

old_fat_biker_bloke · 15 August 2014 at 11:25AM

Kynthia wrote: »

I agree with you that it's your home and you have the right to refuse entry without your presence. That's why I said you should do so in writing if you haven't, and complain if you have. You didn't state in you OP that you'd refused entry without your presence so posters can only respond with the facts given and I think you would have revived slightly different responses if you had.

Also I haven't derided your family's reaction, just stated that a more factual complaint may be taken more seriously, which I believe about all complaints. So I don't think it was fair to quote my post when complaining about posters doing that.

Apologies for that, I made amends!! It wasn't aimed at you personally!

I thought I had made it clear in my opening statement that we have always made the agent aware we did not want them in the house when we are not here, that's why I reposted it - it's a personal thing. Some people don't mind but we do!! I know enough tradesmen to recommend no one lets anyone in their home unless they are present!!

Guest101 · 15 August 2014 at 11:33AM

old_fat_biker_bloke wrote: »

Apologies for that, I made amends!! I thought I had made it clear in my opening statement that we have always made the agent aware we did not want them in the house when we are not here, that's why I reposted it - it's a personal thing. Some people don't mind but we do!! I know enough tradesmen to recommend no one lets anyone in their home unless they are present!!

You were in the house though...

old_fat_biker_bloke · 15 August 2014 at 11:40AM

Guest101 wrote: »

You were in the house though...

But the non-answered doorbell implied we were not for whatever reason. Access should not have been gained as per our wishes, made clear many times to the agent.

Guest101 · 15 August 2014 at 12:02PM

old_fat_biker_bloke wrote: »

But the non-answered doorbell implied we were not for whatever reason. Access should not have been gained as per our wishes, made clear many times to the agent.

1: ok change the locks, job done.
2: think you and your family have over reacted slightly. Not with the fact of being annoyed, but the nature the annoyance has been displayed. - if this simple inconvenience causes this reaction, i would be concerned for the mental and emotional well being of my wife and child.

Gwhiz · 15 August 2014 at 12:23PM

I'm surprised some people are able to breath in and out without help these days.

Zoology_Dragon · 15 August 2014 at 12:55PM

Seems to me that the main issue was that a time wasn't agreed. I would always arrange a time, apart from anything else I wouldn't want to be hanging around all day waiting for the agent to show up (I also do not allow access when I am not in though I work at home a lot so it's rarely an issue).