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Pixie5740

Cornucopia wrote: »

That's not what happened.

That's exactly what happened. The OP agreed to allow the estate agent in if he/she was accompanied by the LL. The LL didn't bother to accompany the estate agent and instead chose to hand the keys to the OP's home over to someone they don't know from Adam. This estate agent then went into their home and started rifling through the OP's belongings. That's not acceptable and certainly something I would find uncomfortable.

mrginge

Cornucopia wrote: »

If you change the locks, you are legally required to give keys to the Landlord. It is a pointless gesture.

Which law is that then?

antrobus

specialboy wrote: »

Where does it say its a legal requirement to give a key to the landlord?

A sensible summary of the legal position.

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

DRP

Whatever the legal intricacies, clearly the agent/LLs behaviour is not acceptable.

Ring and follow up with a letter saying you are disappointed and offer a convenient timetable for viewings.

Depending on the response you may wish to change the lock barrels. The law may be a grey area or may be crystal clear - it doesn't matter, the LL has few practical alternatives so it is in his interests to negotiate and come to compromise.

seven-day-weekend

specialboy wrote: »

Where does it say its a legal requirement to give a key to the landlord?

If I was the landlord I would expect a key to my own house and if the tenant refused to give me one, they would be getting their marching orders. I wouldn't want to deal with such awkward people.

OTOH, I hope I would also act like a responsible landlord and not enter their home without appropriate notice and consultation.

pinkshoes

antrobus wrote: »

A sensible summary of the legal position.

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

That's not a legal site.

It's a blog giving someone's interpretation of the law, and their opinion.

A LL can't just enter a rented property without permission (unless in a emergency) so if you change the lock, the only way they'd known is if they broke the law and tried to enter without permission.

If I were the OP, I would refuse the open day, and only allow viewings at their own convenience.

If the LL does not like this, he can issue a S21.

antrobus

pinkshoes wrote: »

That's not a legal site.....

What do you mean it's "not a legal site"? What law is being broken?

pinkshoes wrote: »

...It's a blog giving someone's interpretation of the law, and their opinion. .....

Were the OP to consult a solicitor regarding their problem what they would get was "someone's interpretation of the law, and their opinion". Instead they have decided to ask the question here on MSE and will receive many different people's "interpretation of the law, and their opinion". I only suggest that it might be useful to read the interpretation of the law, and the opinion on the link provided, on the grounds that the person providing the interpretation and opinion appears to be a real solicitor with at least some idea of what they're on about.

pinkshoes wrote: »

...
A LL can't just enter a rented property without permission (unless in a emergency) so if you change the lock, the only way they'd known is if they broke the law and tried to enter without permission.

If I were the OP, I would refuse the open day, and only allow viewings at their own convenience.

If the LL does not like this, he can issue a S21.

But that's only your interpretation of the law, and your opinion.:rotfl:

quidsy

Change the lock barrel, refuse to give permission for an open day & only allow viewings at your convenience. That is your right.

thesaint

As I read it, the OP gave permission for access.
This forum gets worse and worse each day with the ridiculous advice given out.

silvercar

thesaint wrote: »

As I read it, the OP gave permission for access.
This forum gets worse and worse each day with the ridiculous advice given out.

Everyone needs to be aware that this is a forum, so opinions are just that. And often don't mirror people's behaviour in real life.

The OP gave permission for access, not for the landlord to allow unsupervised access to a third party.

Personally, if I need someone to access my let property I ask the tenants permission to pass on their phone number and tell the tenant who to expect a call from, then arrange for the 3rd party to arrange a time direct with the tenant.