Landlords father gained access without prior knowledge

Daddybear85

Hi bit of a strange one but my Landlord luves abroard (Australia) i rent through a letting agent, we recently had to have boiler replaced as died but prior to dying British gas put an at risk lable on as the flue went into a lean too, the roof was taken off all was ok till boiler died now the landlord is putting some of the roof back on lean too(British gas have said this is safe). Now the landlords dad is going to do this(not an issue its obviously cheaper and easier for landlord) now my issue is as follows Landlords dad poped round at 7 this evening unannounced and says he had called a few times but we was out (letting agents had given him my number to arrange when we would be in) informs me he went round thenback yesterday when we was out now this makes me very uncomfortable and my wife scared as we have no eay of knowing if he enters the property. My question is this would it be deamed as trespass as he didn't have our consent and we are paying to live in the house?????

marliepanda

If he wasn't coming round to make essential repairs to make your home safer, then yes. However, this work needs doing asap it sounds like.

Once the repairs are done (or even now if you wish) change the locks

Marktheshark

Why have you not changed the locks ?
You can change the locks and you the decide who enters and when.

KateySW

Yes - if they have let themselves into your property (while you're renting, it is your house) without giving you any notice at all, that is not acceptable.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/common-problems-with-renting/ they can have access but they need to give you 24 hours notice. At least. If it's urgent, of course they probably wanted to get it sorted ASAP, but they should still keep you informed and let you know. If further work needs to be done, you should be firm about them letting you know if and when someone will be round. Be polite of course, but firm.

G_M

Your reaction seems totally out of proportion.

Yes, it seems silly that he did not ring you and make an appointment but looking at the plus side, the LL has responded to your problems with a new boiler, and is now fixing up your lean-to.

You knew this work was ongoing, so it's not out of the blue, and from what you say, it's all being done in your best interests.

Has the (presumably elderly?) gentelman actually done anything to intimidate you (other than ringing your doorbell)?

Do you have any reason to believe he has come in without your knowledge (you've not indicated this)?

this makes me very uncomfortable and my wife scared

I think you are over-reacting.

Just politely hand him a piece of paper with your phone number and ask him if he'd mind making an appointment before coming round next time.

Yes, if you must, change the locks (keep the old one to replace when you leave) but this is probably in breachof your tenancy agreement and may cause aggravation where none is needed.

KateySW: if they have let themselves into your property (while you're renting, it is your house) without giving you any notice at all, that is not acceptable.

OP does not say the father 'let himself in'.

edit: another option is a polite, friendly letter to the LL, with a copy to the agent, and the dad (if you have addresses for all) thanking him for fixing the boiler and lean-to so swiftly, and then adding "can I also just request that a quick phone call is made for future visits/appointments so we are not taken by surprise?"

That puts it on record without making a big deal of it.

KateySW

Not sure changing the locks would achieve much except for irritating the landlord. When OP mentions the landlord's dad had "went round the back" while they were out, I assumed they were talking about letting himself into the garden or something...

Marktheshark

KateySW wrote: »

Not sure changing the locks would achieve much except for irritating the landlord. When OP mentions the landlord's dad had "went round the back" while they were out, I assumed they were talking about letting himself into the garden or something...

Good point well made.
If they were carrying out external maintenance with notice then you have to live with this as you are living in someone else's house and it only take a s21 to remind you of this.

G_M

KateySW wrote: »

Not sure changing the locks would achieve much except for irritating the landlord. When OP mentions the landlord's dad had "went round the back" while they were out, I assumed they were talking about letting himself into the garden or something...

My point exactly.

But your previous post said:

I don't blame you for being freaked out by that - if they have let themselves into your property

Now if he had "let himself in" I'd be more sympathetic, but "freaking out" because a workman went into the garden, to do work that was known to be needed............ Over-reaction.

Daddybear85

Thanks for ur replies he did let himself into garden but no proof he entered the house although i did notice things by back door not as I thought i left them yesterday put it down to being tired but now not sure.

Fosterdog

This is a major overreaction, why on earth is your wife "scared"? Has this man ever done anything to intimidate or make either of you feel uncomfortable? All he has done is a quick assessment at the back of the property ahead of starting the planned works, you are being completely unreasonable with this.

And no it is not trespass, unless you have explicitly removed his right of access.

By all means let him know that you are unhappy and expect proper legal proceadure to be followed in the future but do it in a polite and friendly way.

Daddybear85

Fosterdog wrote: »

This is a major overreaction, why on earth is your wife "scared"? Has this man ever done anything to intimidate or make either of you feel uncomfortable? All he has done is a quick assessment at the back of the property ahead of starting the planned works, you are being completely unreasonable with this.

And no it is not trespass, unless you have explicitly removed his right of access.

By all means let him know that you are unhappy and expect proper legal proceadure to be followed in the future but do it in a polite and friendly way.

My wife suffers with anxiety (always worries worse that could happen) thats why she is scared! the agents know this.