Please, please help -- what are my rights here?

Cavacrol

To cut a long story short my horrendous landlords responded to my complaint about a complete lack of heating and frequent total lack of hot water (for up to 9 days at a time) by issuing me with a Section 21 Notice. I've now given notice to leave this place on 1st January of 2017.

Today I've received the following email from one of the letting staff:

"Hi, I hope you're well. Just to inform you that we have a viewing booked in for your flat on Monday morning. I hope this is OK with you. I will inform you if anything changes."

I work mainly from home and I will be in a conference call at the time they are proposing bringing somebody for this viewing. Also, I have an elderly relative staying with me who is ill in bed and will not appreciate having somebody enter the flat to stare at her as she lays in bed coughing and feeling weak.

I told the letting staff I can't give access for the viewing. Their reply is that they will just let themselves in then with their set of keys. What are my rights here??? In the past landlords or letting agents have always been very polite and contacted me to determine a convenient time for any viewings, never just made an appointment randomly and then forced me to comply.

Anyone know what my rights are??? I'm pretty upset. The woman on the letting staff has said: "I will enter the flat as and when I see fit and there's nothing you can do about it."

AnotherJoe

Your rights are to refuse the visit.
If you wish to be courteous, you can reply them and state that time isn't convenient, amd suggest one that is. If you don't, you can simply refuse access, however that would cause an issue at the time of your call.
So, I suggest you reply back emphasising that time is not convenient and you will not give access. If you haven't aready changed the front door lock, do so (retaining the current barrel to put back before you move out). If you don't know how to do that, look on YouTube. And hopefully you have a security chain anyway?

pmlindyloo

Cavacrol wrote: »

To cut a long story short my horrendous landlords responded to my complaint about a complete lack of heating and frequent total lack of hot water (for up to 9 days at a time) by issuing me with a Section 21 Notice. I've now given notice to leave this place on 1st January of 2017.

Today I've received the following email from one of the letting staff:

"Hi, I hope you're well. Just to inform you that we have a viewing booked in for your flat on Monday morning. I hope this is OK with you. I will inform you if anything changes."

I work mainly from home and I will be in a conference call at the time they are proposing bringing somebody for this viewing. Also, I have an elderly relative staying with me who is ill in bed and will not appreciate having somebody enter the flat to stare at her as she lays in bed coughing and feeling weak.

I told the letting staff I can't give access for the viewing. Their reply is that they will just let themselves in then with their set of keys. What are my rights here??? In the past landlords or letting agents have always been very polite and contacted me to determine a convenient time for any viewings, never just made an appointment randomly and then forced me to comply.

Anyone know what my rights are??? I'm pretty upset. The woman on the letting staff has said: "I will enter the flat as and when I see fit and there's nothing you can do about it."

There is confusion surrounding a landlord (or their agent) entering a rented house without permission.

Basically (to save argument) only a court could decide whether they have this right and it could come down to what it says about viewings in your contract.

However, your best option is to change the locks if they refuse to arrange another convenient viewing since it seems your relationship is not good anyway. Plus you are going to have weeks of this so best to start off how you want the viewings to go.

As regards the issuing of the Section 21 if you are happy to leave then OK.

Otherwise, check this link about revenge evictions and see if it applies to your situation and check that your deposit is protected.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repairs_and_bad_conditions/repairs_in_private_lets/risk_of_eviction

If you give us the start date of your tenancy (where are you -England/Scotland?) we can check the Section 21 is valid.

In any case, a Section 21 is seeking possession and you would not legally have to leave until the landlord goes to court so plenty of time.

Give us some more details and any other questions you have.

Cavacrol

Thank you so much for your reply. I don't have a security chain because the landlord doesn't allow security chains.

I think it is absolutely time to change the locks! I have no DIY ability at all. Would it perhaps make more sense for me to just hire a locksmith in this instance and perhaps get a security chain put on as well?

I already have severe anxiety issues generally and you can imagine the effect that this is all having

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Your rights are to refuse the visit.
If you wish to be courteous, you can reply them and state that time isn't convenient, amd suggest one that is. If you don't, you can simply refuse access, however that would cause an issue at the time of your call.
So, I suggest you reply back emphasising that time is not convenient and you will not give access. If you haven't aready changed the front door lock, do so (retaining the current barrel to put back before you move out). If you don't know how to do that, look on YouTube. And hopefully you have a security chain anyway?

AnotherJoe

You'll probably be charged around £75 plus the cost of the lock to do that. So lets say £100.
Thats probably worth the loss of anxiety to you?
Make sure that the locksmith leaves the current barrel with you, and if you watch them do it you can see yourself how easy it would be to put it back again when you move out.
A security chain is 5 minutes but that will make screw holes in the door, my concern would be they would make a huge deduction from your deposit for fixing that. As you've lived without it for a while and will be gone soon, its probably hassle you dont need?

ripplyuk

Yes, change the locks. What a cheek that agent has! A handyman would probably be able to do it cheaper than a locksmith. Just put the old lock back on when you move.

Cavacrol

Is it typical for a landlord to book a viewing with somebody without making any attempt to clear it with the resident tenant beforehand? I'd expect them to at least use language like: "we've got somebody who'd like to view the flat on Monday, just checking to see if that's convenient for you?"

Rosemary7391

Changing an existing lock for one that's exactly the same is pretty easy - plenty of videos on YouTube should show how to do it, and you'll only need to change one. It only needs a screwdriver if you have one.

If you're going to be in anyway, an alternative low tech solution would be something heavy behind the door, or even a door wedge - just something to make them realise you meant it when you said no.

Cavacrol

Hi, a security chain would ease my peace of mind. I'm gonna give it some more thought. I don't feel safe in this flat at all. When home I prop a small piece of furniture against the front door to prevent the letting staff (who work on site during the week) access. They keep the keys to our flats in an unlocked cupboard so security is very slack.

AnotherJoe wrote: »

You'll probably be charged around £75 plus the cost of the lock to do that. So lets say £100.
Thats probably worth the loss of anxiety to you?
Make sure that the locksmith leaves the current barrel with you, and if you watch them do it you can see yourself how easy it would be to put it back again when you move out.
A security chain is 5 minutes but that will make screw holes in the door, my concern would be they would make a huge deduction from your deposit for fixing that. As you've lived without it for a while and will be gone soon, its probably hassle you dont need?

Cavacrol

Sorry to sound thick but if I put a door wedge there would they be unable to open the door at all?

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Changing an existing lock for one that's exactly the same is pretty easy - plenty of videos on YouTube should show how to do it, and you'll only need to change one. It only needs a screwdriver if you have one.

If you're going to be in anyway, an alternative low tech solution would be something heavy behind the door, or even a door wedge - just something to make them realise you meant it when you said no.

AnnieO1234

Door wedge under the door will stop them on carpet, not sure about hard floor though. You can get 4 for £1 in Pound land.

Xxx