Is my letting agent allowed to just walk into my home unannounced?

Smodlet

Davidmcn, is changing the lock not in contravention of most tenancy agreements? If it is not, it is a great idea.

pmlindyloo

Get your carer to help you write a letter to the letting agent stating that you are extremely upset that they entered the house without permission and this must not happen again. State that you need 24 hours notice of any visit.

If this continues then change the lock.

Copy to your landlord.

I am presuming that you have advised the LA and LL that you are dealing with the rent arrears and are receiving help to do so?

I hope that your debt advisor is helping you to maximise your income by applying for all the benefits you are entitled to?

To be honest, I do not think the police will be that interested unless the LA is causing a breach of the peace. They tend to view this kind of thing as a civil matter and are not particularly 'au fait' with the housing regulations. (apologies if others have found them useful)

PeppermintPattie

Now that I've had some time to calm down, I realise that the letting agent's actions don't make all that much sense. What is he hoping to achieve by entering my flat unannounced?

Pixie5740

Smodlet wrote: »

Davidmcn, is changing the lock not in contravention of most tenancy agreements? If it is not, it is a great idea.

Unless a landlord, or agent acting on their behalf, tried to enter the property without giving the tenant 24 hours notice how would they know?

paddedjohn

PeppermintPattie wrote: »

Now that I've had some time to calm down, I realise that the letting agent's actions don't make all that much sense. What is he hoping to achieve by entering my flat unannounced?

He is an idiot on a power trip, get the lock changed ASAP and contact your landlord informing them of what is happening.

Pixie5740

PeppermintPattie wrote: »

Now that I've had some time to calm down, I realise that the letting agent's actions don't make all that much sense. What is he hoping to achieve by entering my flat unannounced?

Who knows what goes through some letting agents' minds?

Just follow the advice to write to the letting agent (also sending a copy to your landlord) reminding them that you require 24 hours notice before they enter your home. If you have a good relationship with your landlord it might be worth giving him a call. Your contract is with the landlord not the letting agent, they only act on the landlord's behalf so if the landlord doesn't want to evict you there's naff all the letting agent can do about it.

tiger_eyes

PeppermintPattie wrote: »

Now that I've had some time to calm down, I realise that the letting agent's actions don't make all that much sense. What is he hoping to achieve by entering my flat unannounced?

I don't see how this can be a reasonable misunderstanding given the details you've provided, so unfortunately, I have to guess this is an intimidation tactic. They're trying to scare you into paying up and/or leaving.

The fact the agent wanted you to give him cash on the spot, with no paper trail, is quite concerning to me, especially if the landlord is happy with your repayment plans.

Changing the locks is absolutely essential. That's step one. You need security.

PeppermintPattie

I understand why the letting agent is annoyed at the rent being late and I feel awful about the situation. However, I've explained my situation and made a plan to pay off the arrears and continue paying rent as it falls due moving forward. So entering my home unannounced is just bizarre and he can only be doing it to upset me for some reason.

PeppermintPattie

It's not like I've ever paid my rent in cash so he can't be coming to my home to collect cash. Plus who has that kind of money just sitting on their table at home? The last time he burst in I was overly apologetic and accommodating because I felt so guilty about having fallen ill and fallen into arrears. He was speaking to me like I was a wayward schoolgirl.

marksoton

PeppermintPattie wrote: »

It's not like I've ever paid my rent in cash so he can't be coming to my home to collect cash. Plus who has that kind of money just sitting on their table at home? The last time he burst in I was overly apologetic and accommodating because I felt so guilty about having fallen ill and fallen into arrears. He was speaking to me like I was a wayward schoolgirl.

Then you need to gather yourself and make it known to them in no uncertain terms that this behaviour is not acceptable.