Invasion of privacy or overreaction?

Whitewolf0158

I have my concerns regarding the agency as it is but my agreement is with them and not the landlords dad, I am already putting all repairs and I incidences in writing to keep a paper trail if we have look at more legal options and we will be moving at the earliest opportunity. I’m trying to things by the book,

I certainly wouldn’t prevent access to the property if given proper notice but he’s already said he’s been in to sort out the double glazing (to his credit the glazing hasn’t leaked since) I’m more concerned that someone is accessing my home when I’m unaware and I have no way of knowing how often he is doing. The lock will be changed today so that solves that issue though.

theartfullodger

Whitewolf0158 wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks for the responses, the part that makes me uneasy is that this is a man I have not previously been introduced to. I have no contact with the landlord and have been instructed to contact the letting agent....

That's fine, but your contract is with the landlord (whoever is named as landlord on tenancy agreement- may not be owner) and you are entirely at liberty to communicate with landlord or agent or both. That landlord doesn't want any contact is his problem, you are entitled to communicate with them (spend £3 on property deeds to get likely address). But landlord can, "thanks" to Thatcher, evict you using section 21 for no reason at all.

Comms69

Whitewolf0158 wrote: »

I have my concerns regarding the agency as it is but my agreement is with them and not the landlords dad, I am already putting all repairs and I incidences in writing to keep a paper trail if we have look at more legal options and we will be moving at the earliest opportunity. I’m trying to things by the book,

I certainly wouldn’t prevent access to the property if given proper notice but he’s already said he’s been in to sort out the double glazing (to his credit the glazing hasn’t leaked since) I’m more concerned that someone is accessing my home when I’m unaware and I have no way of knowing how often he is doing. The lock will be changed today so that solves that issue though.

Your agreement is with your Landlord.

saajan_12

Whitewolf0158 wrote: »

I have my concerns regarding the agency as it is but my agreement is with them and not the landlords dad, I am already putting all repairs and I incidences in writing to keep a paper trail if we have look at more legal options and we will be moving at the earliest opportunity. I’m trying to things by the book,

Your contract is (likely) with the landlord, both the dad and agent are legal strangers to you.

You should report issues to the 'address for serving notices' in writing. This
(a) may the the agent or LL's physical address, but doesn't change who you have a contract with
(b) doesn't stop you CC'ing or also notifying the dad for a more speedy, practical response to your problems (even if the agent has fixed it now, sounds like they knew about and ignored the leaks before)

Whitewolf0158

It sounds like I need to sit down and go over the agreement again. We’ve had stern emails in the past about not contacting the landlord/ landlords dad (at least my partner has, I moved in with her so I’m aware of things that have gone on before i moved in) the agent was said we were to go through her/ them for anything related to the flat. Which is what we’ve done the whole time I’ve been living there, I’ve asked for clarification about who I should be talking to on each occasion in my email yesterday.

theartfullodger

The agent may have their own reasons for not wanting landlord to hear from you: You have an absolute legal right to contact landlord. Doesn't matter what tenancy says about this. (I am a landlord, sorry about that guys..).

The agent cannot prevent you communicating thus, although there may be unfortunate reactions from agent and/or landlord.

warby68

Whilst the landlord/dad haven't behaved correctly, the intentions behind them actually seem well meaning and helpful.

So I'd try hard to deal with this in a friendly way and yes, I too, would bypass the agent in the first instance. I suspect agent wants to 'control' everything to protect their fees but as they aren't doing right by either you or their client, direct contact seems best to avoid things being misinterpreted.

A bit of 're-education' might sort it without hostility. Ignorance is no defence on the landlord's part but there is no point making an enemy either.

When you say your partner is 'terrified' and you've said 'ring the police' I do think that part might be an overreaction - no they shouldn't be coming in etc but there is nothing to suggest any harm or malice intended at all . More like ignorance of the rules when trying to fix something. So I wouldn't view it as the worst case until you've made some contact and formed your own view of what the landlord/dad are like without the agent's unhelpful filter.

Whitewolf0158

Right so this evening I’ve gone through the tenancy agreement. It does forbid me from changing the locks, but this is immediately under the part where they agree to not enter the premises without giving 24 hours notice. Can I change the locks in light of this breach or am I opening up a can of worms?

m0bov

You can change the locks, I'd rather be dealing with the LL complaining about lock changes than dealing with missing possessions or people coming in whilst I'm in the shower. They would not know unless they tried the key, also, its 24hours with AGREEMENT. They can't just come in regardless, its your home with quite enjoyment.

MobileSaver

Whitewolf0158 wrote: »

Can I change the locks in light of this breach or am I opening up a can of worms?

You can change the locks but of course you must put back the original locks when the tenancy ends.