Agents entering without permission

Brightspark87

Good morning all!

I came home last night and was terrified to find someone had been in our home. The gate was left open to the back of the house, post was moved, microwave was pulled out (could see through the back door) and as I unlocked the door I found the grill was on.

Turns out that our gas safety check was done yesterday.

They rang on Friday to book and we explained we'd like to be there so my DH said he would call back this week to book it in. At no point did they say it had to be done THIS week. We had previously received as letter confirming this would be the 1st March and they didn't show up.

the agents say they emailed us both twice. We never got this although have received all the other emails and nothing in our junk mail as my DH would have got them to come on Wed (his day off). They also normal text or ring when they need permission to enter the house if they haven't heard back from us.

I rang last night and they say they had no choice but to enter - they gave us the notice required. Now, they have been a nightmare from the very start - we've barely had a month since we moved in on 23rd July where they haven't done an inspection or come to quote for some work. I told them they are mounting on harassment and breeching our contract as we are entitled to enjoy our home. They said they gave the required notice. I don't believe they did - how could 4 emails go missing? Why didn't they just call us? they do these inspections find issues - the come to 'quote' them and we never hear about them until they are raised at the next inspection.

The Gas people who left the grill on are arguing that DH should have called to rearrange Monday and therefore they had no choice but to contact the agent directly. I thought they could have rung him if it was so urgent on Monday!

We had a huge house fire when we lived in London in which I was injured and this caused me huge distress and I do not feel like I can enjoy the home a pay a fortune for. Plus I know people who had things stolen by 'people working for the agent' and normally I hide my valuables. We have some ''things' that have a £££ value but to us our more precious as they are family heirlooms.

We are hopefully in the process of buying our first house and moving out in the next few months but have not told the agents this.

We have already formalised a compliant to them regarding the state of the house when we moved in (mould, damp, peeling paint all of which was meant to be sorted in the 6 weeks after the previous tenants moved out) and I feel this should be raised as another formal compliant.

would love to hear your thoughts and any help you may be able to offer.

Guest101

Change the locks - job done.


They'll only find out if they try to enter without permission - which would prove the point.

theartfullodger

Write (yes, WRITE! - keep copies) to landlord (yes, LANDLORD - copy agent also) about this stating your requirements for visits - I might say they must be agreed with you first & no other visits will be permitted without you specific (for that visit) written prior agreement that you are not yet giving. Your contract is with whoever is named as landlord on your tenancy: The agent is just that, agent.

In your shoes I'd change the locks, keeping the old one to put back when you leave. Usually cheap & easy. But don't tell them...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thumb-Turn-Euro-Cylinder-Door-Barrel/dp/B00QRVYBXI
If possible get a thumb-turn: Then you can get out in the dark, smoke & flames without hunting for the keys...

The only positive is at least they try to get GSC done

Brightspark87

thanks guys - thought the locks being changed might be ok.

Yes its great they are doing the GSC of course we want them too! they found issues too - happy to allow them access as and when needed but would like to know they are coming.

stator

Agree with changing the locks.

thesaint

What does your tenancy agreement state(if anything) about changing the locks and the issue of notices?

Brightspark87

nothing regarding locks and we are out of our 6 months fixed term tenancy and onto a monthly rolling contract

thesaint

Brightspark87 wrote: »

nothing regarding locks

That's great. Write to them explaining that you are changing the locks(and the reason why).

Brightspark87 wrote: »

and we are out of our 6 months fixed term tenancy and onto a monthly rolling contract

I don't mean notices only to include notice to quit etc, but notices in general. Does it say anything about electronic forms of communication are acceptable?
If not, I would explain that you want a "letter" that is delivered through your letterbox.

Brightspark87

thesaint wrote: »

That's great. Write to them explaining that you are changing the locks(and the reason why).



I don't mean notices only to include notice to quit etc, but notices in general. Does it say anything about electronic forms of communication are acceptable?
If not, I would explain that you want a "letter" that is delivered through your letterbox.

Oh sorry! Not sure I will review it....

TBagpuss

I'd agree with the recommendation to write to your landlord as well as to the agent.

I would cealrly diviide the complaint into two poparts:

1. They failed to respond to your request to arrange visit at a reasonable and mutually convenient time, they failed to give you the correct (or indeed any) notice of the date and time they intended to come to the poperty, and they faield to leave the property in the condition it was in when they arrived (moving things etc)

2. Their agent or employee left the grill on causing a significant fire risk.

On the second one, I would also make a complaint directly to the company who issued the GSC.

In your letter to the landlord/agents make very clear what you expect them to do in the future, e.g.

- Give correct notice in writing as required by the lease
-Acknowledge and respond promptly to contact from yourselves
- Not attend at the property unless they have definite confirmation from you that their proposed date and time are agreed (save in the event of a genuine emergency)

In light of the grill incident you might asl want to say that as you have lost confidence in contractors selected by them you do want assurances that in future, someone from the agency will accompany any contractor or other visitor to the rpeoprty in the event that any visit takes place when you are out of the house.

agrinnall

I have to assume that the person doing the gas safety check was registered with Gas Safe, so you can make a compliant with them.

http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/help/make_a_complaint.aspx