Invasion of privacy or overreaction?

Whitewolf0158

Hi all,

It’s been a while so I’m not sure I’m in the right room for this but I’ve been having a few issues with my landlord’s father and these issues are now causing me growing concerns. We’ve ok for a while but when the wet weather started we noticed the double glazing was leaking (small torrents of water running into the carpet) I made sure to get photos and to alert the letting agent immediately as per our tenancy agreement. They responded that they weren’t concerned as double glazing leaks occasionally and the weather had been particularly wet for a while but they’d inform the landlord. We heard nothing further for almost 2 months when my partner and I were in bed on a Saturday morning and the doorbell rang, as we weren’t expecting anyone we chose to ignore it (we work shifts so very rarely do we get a quiet morning to catch up on sleep etc) then the doorbell rings again, again we weren’t expecting deliveries and our neighbor downstairs likes to knock our door every once in a while but I shot out of bed when I heard a key being put into the lock.

I answered the door to find the landlords dad trying the lock to as he had been told of a faulty light in one of the bathrooms (neither myself or my partner had reported a fault and no fault existed) I mentioned the leaking double glazing and he said he had already been in to check on that which caused me a bit of concern. So he left quickly afterwards and I forwarded the event on to the letting agent with a request for proper notification before a visit.

Fast forward to last week when we had been told an engineer was due to come out to service the boiler as it had been leaking and our hot water was intermittent. We were emailed to say an engineer would out on Wednesday between 5:30-6:30pm. My partner and I were both on 13 hour shifts but I was able to leave my shift early to meet the engineer. When I got to the flat I saw lights on from the outside and the front door open, the engineer was well into his work and the landlord’s dad was sat comfortably in our kitchen. He said the safety certificate is due and that would be arranged for some time this week but we’ve had no notice and I know he intends to be here. I’ve addressed my concerns with the letting agent and I’m very careful to make sure I put everything in writing just in case.

So my question, am i over reacting a tad or am I justified in feeling uncomfortable that someone has been coming and going as he likes, I’ve taken to making sure the chain is on while I’m at home but I’ve almost no control over who comes and goes while I’m not here.

Any advice welcome even if it’s just to calm down.
Regards,
Kevin.

HampshireH

Personally I would be fuming.

What response have you had from the letting agent?

Have you written to your landlord directly? I think I would do this as it sounds like your letting agent either isn't passing your complaint on or the 'LL doesn't care.

Did you ask the father why he was there or infact thd letting agent as to why the gas man was earlier than your scheduled appt? Did thd father rearrange it?

CommitedToChange

Not overreacting at all. I'd change the locks and write a complaint to the letting agency that fully explains that you do not expect people to let themselves into your home and this must stop immediately.

No need to tell them you've changed the lock, just keep the original and replace when you leave.

Whitewolf0158

At the time I was more confused to see the LL’s dad and didn’t want to make a scene but the more I’ve dwelt on it the more uneasy I’m feeling, I’m bubbling under fuming and making sure I’m reading my rights as tennent, I only made the complaint this afternoon (in writting again to keep a paper trail) what legal recourse does the LL have if I change the locks, it’s becoming a better idea in my mind but I’d like to avoid being evicted right on top of Christmas.

Regards.
Kevin

davidmcn

Whitewolf0158 wrote: »

what legal recourse does the LL have if I change the locks

How would they find out, other than by trying to get in when they're not meant to?

Whitewolf0158

This is a very good point. Legally am I allowed to change the locks without informing the LL or LA? I’m all for it but I want to make sure I’m covered in case they try to pull something

m0bov

Change the locks, i dont see the point in complaining. I would also check the place for anything missing or damaged.

Cakeguts

Change the locks. The landlord's father is not allowed to just wander in when he likes. He has got to give notice. It looks to me as if the landlord's father doesn't understand that while you live there it is your house and no one is allowed to just wander in when it is convenient for them.

Change the locks in both the front and back doors so that he can't get in without asking you. They can't just walk into your house any more than they could walk into the house next door.

moneyistooshorttomention

Agreed. I'd change the locks (keeping the old ones - so they could be changed back when you leave).

Tenants are supposed to be given at least 24 hours notice when the landlady/lord wishes to come in.

saajan_12

The LL (or their appointed agent/worker) is allowed access to the property with reasonable notice for repairs per the contract (read this). This is usually 24 hours notice for repairs unless stated otherwise, plus a provision for viewings only if explicitly written in the agreement.

So, this is fine assuming 'Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm was atleast 24 hrs away. They only have to provide 'notice, they don't HAVE to ask your permission or have a mutually convenient time unless required by the agreement. The father being there to supervise is fine too.

Whitewolf0158 wrote: »

Fast forward to last week when we had been told an engineer was due to come out to service the boiler as it had been leaking and our hot water was intermittent. We were emailed to say an engineer would out on Wednesday between 5:30-6:30pm. My partner and I were both on 13 hour shifts but I was able to leave my shift early to meet the engineer. When I got to the flat I saw lights on from the outside and the front door open, the engineer was well into his work and the landlord’s dad was sat comfortably in our kitchen. He said the safety certificate is due and that would be arranged for some time this week but we’ve had no notice and I know he intends to be here.

However this is not fine: you do have a right to 'reasonable notice' for non emergency visits.

Whitewolf0158 wrote: »

We heard nothing further for almost 2 months when my partner and I were in bed on a Saturday morning and the doorbell rang, as we weren’t expecting anyone we chose to ignore it (we work shifts so very rarely do we get a quiet morning to catch up on sleep etc) then the doorbell rings again, again we weren’t expecting deliveries and our neighbor downstairs likes to knock our door every once in a while but I shot out of bed when I heard a key being put into the lock.

I answered the door to find the landlords dad trying the lock to as he had been told of a faulty light in one of the bathrooms (neither myself or my partner had reported a fault and no fault existed) I mentioned the leaking double glazing and he said he had already been in to check on that which caused me a bit of concern. So he left quickly afterwards and I forwarded the event on to the letting agent with a request for proper notification before a visit.

Either
1) write (pen & paper) to the LL at the address for serving notices stating you need 24 hours written notice for all visits for any purpose; or
2) change the barrel of the lock. Keep the old one to put back in when you move out, else you could be charged for extra keys from the deposit.

HampshireH

Whilst they have to give notice it would appear they gave notice for the repair .... for which the tenant rearranged work. No notice for the 'LL or any other representative to attend as well.

So therefore the father being there and allowing access and making hinself comfortable was without permission/notice?

That's how I read it. I'm probably wrong.