Is Landlord allowed to enter with notice but without permission?

WolfSong2000

Okay....so, in a nutshell my landlord is being an ar*e.

Approx 6 weeks after I moved in in May of this year, they told me they were looking to sell. I tried to purchase the flat, but that fell through so since September I have been allowing viewings. I work long days, and like to be present at viewings so have allowed viewings weekend mornings, but not weekday evenings.

Letting agents have been rude and hassling me to accept viewings they've set up at times they know I won't accept. 2 weeks ago they complained to landlord who then served me with a Section 21 notice as apparently I am being "obstructive" by refusing to allow viewings on weekday evenings.

I have now arranged to view some other properties this weekend, but letting agents have set up a viewing for 11:30am, when I need to be out of the house at 11am. Told letting agent and landlord that I am happy to accommodate viewings before 11am, but not afterwards as I will not be present. I have explained my reasoning, but landlord is having none of it

Long story short, landlord has come back to me and basically said he's giving me notice that he is entering the property for up to an hour on Saturday as per tenancy agreement.

Now, my understanding is that he is allowed to enter with notice, but only for certain necessary things - e.g. to carry out repairs. Surely entering for a viewing without my permission (especially when I have been reasonable and offered other times rather than refusing outright) is trespass?

I pay £850 per month for my place - it's a lot of money to me, but I pay it because I value my privacy. Letting agents even took photo's of flat with my possessions in place despite me asking them not to, which I am really not pleased about.

I get that the landlord wants to sell, and I am trying to be accommodating despite there being zero benefit to me and the fact that they're evicting me, but I have my limits!

If landlord does proceed with viewing in my absence, what can I do?

agrinnall

It's obvious, change the lock, but keep the old one to replace when you leave. Of course, preventing access is likely to mean kissing goodbye to a reference but perhaps you don't need one.

WolfSong2000

agrinnall wrote: »

It's obvious, change the lock, but keep the old one to replace when you leave. Of course, preventing access is likely to mean kissing goodbye to a reference but perhaps you don't need one.

The barrell of the lock is in the doorknob itself - can it still be changed? And by saturday morning?

joshsw25

Providing the time and reason is reasonable he is entitled to enter without permission having provided notice. It is not normally conducive to a good relationship so most won't.

Josh

joshsw25

I should add that changing the lock without permission could also be criminal damage, so I'd advise against it.

Josh

mrginge

joshsw25 wrote: »

I should add that changing the lock without permission could also be criminal damage, so I'd advise against it.

Josh

No it couldn't.

mrginge

joshsw25 wrote: »

Providing the time and reason is reasonable he is entitled to enter without permission having provided notice. It is not normally conducive to a good relationship so most won't.

Josh

Can you provide some evidence to support this claim?

franklee

It would look better for you if you have a written trail (email given the short timescales) to show you were reasonable on offering alternatives etc. and also your refusal for that appointment in writing. That way if they do go in you have something concrete to point back to. There's no penalty you can claim for a one off so I'd suggest focusing on prevention.

Are they a member of ARLA or the like. If so look up their code of conduct and point that out to them. The agent my old LL used was in RICS and their handbook (blue book) says not to go in against the tenants refusal. I copied that paragraph to them and they behaved.

If you can't manage the locks what about a wire free shed alarm and a notice on the door do not enter alarm set.

GwylimT

joshsw25 wrote: »

I should add that changing the lock without permission could also be criminal damage, so I'd advise against it.

Josh

Incorrect.

WolfSong2000

All communication has been via email. I have said to landlord that I am attempting to be as accommodating as possible, but my stance from the beginning has been that I am not comfortable with viewings without me being present.

For thie viewing this saturday, I offered any time before 11am (suggested 10:30am), and have even offered to cancel plans for Sunday morning so I am not refusing viewings outright.

Landlord also said if I allowed this viewing he'd not arrange for any more viewings for December. When I asked him to confirm that, he said he meant that no new viewings, but repeat viewings from people who had already viewed would be allowed.

The whole thing is turning into a farce. I am doing my damndest to be reasonable, but landlord keeps pushing and I am beginning to feel harrassed by landlord and letting agents.

HappyMJ

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

All communication has been via email. I have said to landlord that I am attempting to be as accommodating as possible, but my stance from the beginning has been that I am not comfortable with viewings without me being present.

For thie viewing this saturday, I offered any time before 11am (suggested 10:30am), and have even offered to cancel plans for Sunday morning so I am not refusing viewings outright.

Landlord also said if I allowed this viewing he'd not arrange for any more viewings for December. When I asked him to confirm that, he said he meant that no new viewings, but repeat viewings from people who had already viewed would be allowed.

The whole thing is turning into a farce. I am doing my damndest to be reasonable, but landlord keeps pushing and I am beginning to feel harrassed by landlord and letting agents.

Then it's up to you.

You can refuse viewings, get issued a section 21 notice, leave the property and find somewhere else to live. If you don't need the reference in future I'd do that.

The lock cylinder in the doorknob type of locks aren't usually deadlocks and a very insecure form of lock. They can also very easily be changed. They are also easy to break into. They are usually only used for internal doors. A crowbar can be used to jemmy the door and the latch and you're in within seconds without a key. Before taking on the tenancy I would have been demanding more secure deadlocks be installed.