'Landlord only' storage being added to rental property

nnb

My LL has announced an enormous shed is being put on my property. This was mentioned in my tenancy agreement so I was aware this would happen and I realise I have no choice. The problem is what I've since found out...

When I was notified it's going in, I mentioned how I don't need the shed so do they want to save the hassle and just forget about it. I was told it's not for my use anyway... It's for theirs! My tenancy clearly states I will have use of it, and there is no mention anywhere that it would be used by anyone other than me. There is also a section about shared areas, and there are no areas listed. So as far as I am aware, the entire property is for my sole use as is the forthcoming shed.

Where do I stand on this as it's not what was in my agreement?
Is adding in extra storage AFTER I've moved in purely for their personal use allowed?
Can I still request access to it?
Surely this causes all kind of issues with accessing the property as they and others will be coming and going whenever to access it?
Does it break my 'right to quiet enjoyment' if nothing else? He's already been on the property unannounced to measure up which scared the life out of me.
As I guess it will be going in anyway, will the 24 hour rule apply here too?
What if they want to access it at unusual hours, eg 6am or 9pm, am I allowed to state times he can access it so I can enjoy my property/garden?

I absolutely love living here and have been told they're happy with me being here too so we both see this as a long term let. We have a great relationship so I'm really not trying to be difficult, I just don't feel comfortable with this whole thing (especially as I'm a female living alone) and want to find a way to solve any potential issues beforehand and have it in writing so we both know where we stand and can carry on with our otherwise great LL/tenant agreement!

m0bov

The LL should not be at the property unannouced, you have exclusive use, its YOUR home. You are not a second rate citizen.

He can give you 24 hours notice, but he has no right of entry. I would change the locks and any external pad locks or gate locks at once. Keep the originals.

You need to point out to the LL that they surrounded use of the property when they rented it out.

What does the EXACT wording of your contract say about the shed? Could it be for trade use?

cooltt

As Above he has no right to build sheds anywhere on your property while it's being rented.

You can and should (quite rightly) refuse but expect to be asked to leave earlier than you'd hoped.

m0bov

Long term he will get what he wants, turning up should be at a mutucally agreed time. Could you work out a time when he comes and goes, i.e. 2-4 sunday pm and Monday pm? etc.. Is there access to the shed from a side gate or is it only via the front door? If its the front door, then its a big no no.

nnb

m0bov wrote: »

The LL should not be at the property unannouced, you have exclusive use, its YOUR home. You are not a second rate citizen.

He can give you 24 hours notice, but he has no right of entry. I would change the locks and any external pad locks or gate locks at once. Keep the originals.

You need to point out to the LL that they surrounded use of the property when they rented it out.

What does the EXACT wording of your contract say about the shed? Could it be for trade use?

Hiya, there is a section about common parts, stating what is included eg gardens, sheds, whether it's furnished etc. It says "access to shed when fitted".

It later goes on to 'shared parts' and nothing (property, garden or other) is ticked as being shared.

m0bov

Do you live on your own (not lodger)? Is there communal parts? Is it a flat or maisonette?

nnb

cooltt wrote: »

As Above he has no right to build sheds anywhere on your property while it's being rented.

You can and should (quite rightly) refuse but expect to be asked to leave earlier than you'd hoped.

I think they can though as it is in my tenancy agreement that there would be one fitted during my time here?


Also, to answer someone else's question, I don't know if it's for commercial or personal use but I do know they'll be building materials in it amongst other things. Which already screams "please break in and rob me" to passers by.

The shed can be accessed without entiering the house.

m0bov

Having read the thread again, I can't see how your going to win this one with the LL attitude, he forgets its not his home.

I'd call him, have a polite chat and say your happy with the shed, but your not allowing access to the property except for statury inspections. (gas safety, ll checks) and that the ll use of the shed spoils your quite enjoyment of your home. If he does'nt come around then put it in writing but expect to start looking for a new home. ( I'd still change the locks NOW!

m0bov

nnb wrote: »

I think they can though as it is in my tenancy agreement that there would be one fitted during my time here?


Also, to answer someone else's question, I don't know if it's for commercial or personal use but I do know they'll be building materials in it amongst other things. Which already screams "please break in and rob me" to passers by.

The shed can be accessed without entiering the house.

In that case, can you ask him to put in writing some agreed times of access? Then leave them to it? But state you can withdraw your permission at anytime.

lookstraightahead

I remember years ago moving into a flat in London. There were the owners children's nappies still in the bin, food in the freezer. And the shower room had been disconnected to use as storage with all their stuff in it. They had decided that 'furnished' meant they could leave all their horrible little nicknacks around and we were welcome to read their books. We put up with it as we were young. When we left they tried to charge us for a small stain on a mattress. It was only their niece who talked them out of it.

They were greedy and unreliable and felt superior. It's people like that who give good decent landlords a bad name. I'm not sure why some landlords think it's still their home and tenants are just cash cows.

nnb

lookstraightahead wrote: »

I remember years ago moving into a flat in London. There were the owners children's nappies still in the bin, food in the freezer. And the shower room had been disconnected to use as storage with all their stuff in it. They had decided that 'furnished' meant they could leave all their horrible little nicknacks around and we were welcome to read their books. We put up with it as we were young. When we left they tried to charge us for a small stain on a mattress. It was only their niece who talked them out of it.

They were greedy and unreliable and felt superior. It's people like that who give good decent landlords a bad name. I'm not sure why some landlords think it's still their home and tenants are just cash cows.

I used to rent a room in a shared house, where the LL changed the lounge into a bedroom and used one of the upstairs bedrooms as storage and the dining room as his business premises, we also couldn't use the garden, attic or garage. He thought it was fine and was okay to have people coming and going at all hours and even standing in our kitchen so we couldn't cook. Also, there was no lock on the bathroom which was fun...! He also felt it was fine for him to use my small appliances and plates/tea etc and access my room to get loo roll when his daughter used the toilet and there was none in there. We also weren't allowed access to the heating switch and he would stand there shivering while wearing numerous layers so how did he think we felt?! He also spent my deposit while on holiday...... I'd never agree to that again and didn't stay there long.

Really don't like LLs like that. My current one is NOTHING like that normally and does try to make the place comfortable and help me out. I honestly don't feel like he's using me as a cash cow (even if he technically is), I think he just hasn't really thought this through and we can totally come to a reasonable agreement that makes us both happy. I just needed to know what is and isn't reasonable/allowed before we sit down and talk it out