Landlord causing problems. Please help.

thesaint

franklee wrote: »

I don't have Yale here although I've had them on previous properties.

I'm never quite sure the exact name for the type I mean but I call it a Euro Cylinder lock. Like this (with measurements 17mm diameter round the keyhole and a stalky bit below):

http://www.diydata.com/carpentry/euro_cylinder_lock_replacement/euro_cylinder_lock_replacement.php

It comes out of the hole either forwards (Towards the street) or backwards (Towards the house). The main thing being it does come out.

Okay, that makes sense.

A 'Euro' lock is a replacement for a 'Chubb' lock, not a cylinder one.
I use Euro locks in conjunction with 'Yale' locks.

The reason is because you will find that insurance companies don't like them(Euro).

If you have the euro locks with a key entry on both sides, you will also find that fire officers (and some councils) prefer you not to use them.
I use ones with a 'Thumb turn' on the inside.

crispsandwich

Thanks again for all the replies. We've sent a letter by recorded delivery that basically says we want the following to be considered before we agree to the other tenants using our shower:

- A deduction in rent as we won't have exclusive use of the facilities we are paying for.
- Monetary compensation for the excess gas/electricity used.
- Recognition that we won't be cleaning up after them (and confirmation of who shall be expected to, i.e.the other tenants).
- The locks to be changed after the said period has finished, as the key could be lost or cut.
- A written agreement that we will be ASKED about these things in future.

As a side note, we got a text message today basically saying asking us to clear rubbish from the cellar so they can collect it and take it to the tip in the next few days. They intend to just let themselves in because they asked me to label what I want to keep if I'm not in. I'm tempted to politely tell them we don't want them just walking into our home, although I'm sure when they get the letter tomorrow or Saturday they will have a better idea of how we're feeling.

Again, thanks for the replies. I'll post an update when I know what's happening.

guppy

Good luck crispsandwich. Don't stand for any liberties, I think you're being more than reasonable

franklee

crispsandwich wrote: »

We've sent a letter by recorded delivery that basically says we want the following to be considered before we agree to the other tenants using our shower:

I'm just wondering what your contents insurers would make of your living with all these strangers coming and going with your permission. What if during this time your laptop or plasma TV disappears? It sounds all wrong headed to me.

How long are you going to be queueing for the shower? Will the hot water last? What if the bathroom is damaged, a tile cracked or something? Then again what time limits are you setting? What if one of the "guest" tenants comes in a bit the worse for wear in the small hours to use the bathroom and is sick all over your floor? Or if they wake you up when using the shower at six in the morning? Do these "guest" tenants have girlfriends/boyfriends staying over that add to the numbers using your bathroom?

As for the landlord entering to remove the rubbish, why don't you arrange to leave it outside?

It this place Piccadilly Circus or a property you are paying good money to rent as your home?

thesaint

crispsandwich wrote: »

Thanks again for all the replies. We've sent a letter by recorded delivery that basically says we want the following to be considered before we agree to the other tenants using our shower:

- A deduction in rent as we won't have exclusive use of the facilities we are paying for.
You need to set an amount that you are willing to pay. What if they reduce your rent by 10p per person, they have met your request.

- Monetary compensation for the excess gas/electricity used.
Work out what is spent currently, and present this to the landlord.
When the next bill comes, you can then ask for the excess to be paid.

- Recognition that we won't be cleaning up after them (and confirmation of who shall be expected to, i.e.the other tenants).
Get a camera ready, state a charge for cleaning if the tenants fail to clean up to your standards.

- The locks to be changed after the said period has finished, as the key could be lost or cut.
Tell the landlord that you will arrange for the locks to be changed, and include numbers for him to call if he needs access in an emergency.

- A written agreement that we will be ASKED about these things in future.
Tell him that you do not want anyone in your property without prior agreed notice.

As a side note, we got a text message today basically saying asking us to clear rubbish from the cellar so they can collect it and take it to the tip in the next few days. They intend to just let themselves in because they asked me to label what I want to keep if I'm not in. I'm tempted to politely tell them we don't want them just walking into our home, although I'm sure when they get the letter tomorrow or Saturday they will have a better idea of how we're feeling.

Again, thanks for the replies. I'll post an update when I know what's happening.

Or report the landlord and have him arrested.

crispsandwich

franklee wrote: »

I'm just wondering what your contents insurers would make of your living with all these strangers coming and going with your permission. What if during this time your laptop or plasma TV disappears? It sounds all wrong headed to me.

How long are you going to be queueing for the shower? Will the hot water last? What if the bathroom is damaged, a tile cracked or something? Then again what time limits are you setting? What if one of the "guest" tenants comes in a bit the worse for wear in the small hours to use the bathroom and is sick all over your floor? Or if they wake you up when using the shower at six in the morning? Do these "guest" tenants have girlfriends/boyfriends staying over that add to the numbers using your bathroom?

As for the landlord entering to remove the rubbish, why don't you arrange to leave it outside?

It this place Piccadilly Circus or a property you are paying good money to rent as your home?

Very good points. I will write all that down in case the LL gets stroppy about our letter. I don't actually have contents insurance. Not very wise I know, but I've not been living there long. I do intend to take some out at some point. As for the rubbish thing, they did say to leave it outside but when I said I have stuff in the cellar but it isn't rubbish, they said to label it, so they obviously intend to let themselves in and have a mooch around :mad:.

As for the bills, we pay on a meter for both the gas and electricity. As it's coming up to winter, we're probably paying around £30 a month each on bills. I will tell the LL that I will organise for the locks to be changed but that I want to be re-imbursed.

guppy

It would be nice if you could just give the Landlord notice that he and any other uninvited visitors are unwelcome in your home and will be trespassing.

But I still don't really understand if you and your housemates are entitled to exlclusive occupation of the house. Have you showed your lease to the Uni advisor or the CAB?

Even if you are renting rooms individually and sharing a kitchen and bathroom, I'd imagine there is still a presumption that you are only sharing with other residents, not the landlord or his guests.

To be honest, unless you find out your rights and use them, the Landlord is likely to ignore any requests to reduce rent etc., a lot of landlord's rely on students' ignorance and apathy.

It may well be in breach of the contract (or even a crime) for him to force you to accept the situation, but if you agree to go along with it just becomes a private arrangement between you and the LL. If won't entitle you to withold rent. Any verbal chat he has given you will be frankly worthless.

So, a) find out your rights b) if appropriate following (a) write to the LL telling him to keep out and telling him you will only accept the other people entering if you receive prior written confirmation reducing your rent for that month

Alternatively of course, just moan a bit to LL, be ignored, moan a bit more, then give up, and put up with the situation anyway - most students choose this option in my experience, including your housemates by the sound of it

crispsandwich

The situation has been resolved. It's not happening. I spoke to the handyman yesterday and he said that it is in fact him who has the only copy of the key to our home, and not the LL, and that he wasn't happy with the arrangement. Apparently it was the LL's wife that wrote the letter in haste, and the LL had since seen the letter and decided that it was unfair to expect us to deal with the problems caused by the other tenant's bathroom not having been done at a more convenient time. I'm sure they'll have our letter by now, but I'm going to assume that they'll write to us saying it isn't happening or not write back at all.

Thanks for the advice.

hjb123

ah thats great news for you, bet you are relieved its settled with out much of a hoo hah!

guppy

Well done, glad to hear it I for one enjoyed the opportunity to ramble on anyway!