Agency moving and breaking our belongings

Hutchch0920

I am writing this more out of fury than anything else as I daresay there is squat all that can be done but anyway....

We are moving out so the landlord (House of Fruits in East London) has arranged viewings over the past few days. I came home a couple of evenings ago to find that a number of my personal belongings had been moved in the living room by the agent (they have admitted to this).

They have also broken a prop that I was making which had cost me around £80 in materials to that point. They deny this but logically I cant see how it was not them. I questioned them and then they then sent me a snotty letter saved as "breach door unlocked" which said we'd left the back door unlocked and that we need to buy a new plant because the original one was looking crispy. Further this is a joint tenancy with 3 others but the letter was only addressed to myself and my partner.

The prop was across the entrance of the back door and given that she'd noticed in the letter that the door was unlocked and shes been cleaning my stuff it seems way too coincidental for it not to have been her that snapped the prop.

Does the agent have the right to move my things!? I personally think this contravenes quiet enjoyment.

Our contract does not state we need to keep the doors locked or water the plant. Does a plant count as a fixture?

Anyway ramble over. Just wanted a record on the internet somewhere that this agency is run by a bunch of chimps and warn other potential renters not to use them for fear of having your stuff interfered with and broken!

Alderbank

What's a prop?

kingfisherblue

Maybe a theatrical prop that the poster is making at home? The only other prop that I can think of is a clothes prop for the washing line, but that wouldn't cost £80 in materials.

pawlala

Hutchch0920 wrote: »

They have also broken a prop that I was making which had cost me around £80 in materials to that point.

Was it in the way? Assuming you agreed the arrangement that they would be coming at that specific time and date, I would have moved it out of harms way or at least put a DO NOT TOUCH sign on it if I couldn't.

If you hadn't agreed them entering, that's an entirely different matter...

martindow

pawlala wrote: »

Was it in the way? Assuming you agreed the arrangement that they would be coming at that specific time and date, I would have moved it out of harms way or at least put a DO NOT TOUCH sign on it if I couldn't.

If you hadn't agreed them entering, that's an entirely different matter...

The onus is surely on the agent to take care - tenants shouldn't be expected to move fragile things or lock them away in case the agent breaks them.

I would write a letter asking them to pay for the damage and in the meantime refusing them access except at a few times of your choice when you will be there (6-7 on Wednesday evening and 10-12 on Saturday for instance).

If you have any suspicion that would let themselves in regardless, change the lock.

Hutchch0920

It was indeed a theatrical prop of sorts. It was laid behind the sofa, admittedly the handle was sticking out across the garden door, but my housemates don't use the garden so it was not in their way.

I agree with Martindow, it is not on me to make that things don't get broken by the agent. It had been there two weeks and only got broken when they came in.

The agent completely denies any responsibility and is even trying to say it was already broken when they came round. I have quizzed all my housemates and they all said that it wasn't them and I trust them much more than the agent.

I have now done as Martindow suggests and told them that I will require to be present at all times when they wish to do viewings to ensure the room is viewed respectfully. I do suspect that they have keys and they would gain unlawful access if I refuse a certain time but not sure it's worth switching a lock when we are moving in less than a month (although the menace in me thinks it's a great idea).

HouseBuyer77

If it wasn't immediately obvious it was laying across the door then I don't think you have much of a claim.

Opening a back door without checking the floor to ensure you're not about to break anything fragile is an entirely reasonable thing to do. As one would not expect someone to place fragile things directly in the way of a door.

Guest101

Tell them to not move things


Ask them to compensate you if it continues.

Hutchch0920

HouseBuyer77 the prop was in front on the door not behind it so it was in plain sight.

I do see what you're saying but say it was your friend's house and you broke something you'd at least have the courtesy to apologise not be an ahole about it.

Curiously, I've just re-read my contract and it says the landlord can access the common areas of the house whenever we like and that my contract is just for my room. Whytf did I sign this contract in the first place. Can't wait to buy my own house!!!