Landlord access to property where bedrooms are individually let

jackvaughn

Not sure if anyone knows anything about letting law, but would like to get some clarity on this issue...

My partner rents a bedroom in a 3 bedroom house. Two other girls rent the other 2 bedrooms.

The kitchen, bathroom and hallway are all shared between them.
Each of the 3 tenants have their own tenancy agreement.

A couple of days ago, the landlord let himself in, unannounced, having given no notice.

One of the girls was understandably very unhappy about this and complained.

She was told that the landlord legally has to give 24 hours notice, but since he was entering the communal areas, no notice was required.

My partner now feels very uncomfortable as a man who they don't really know can now let himself in at anytime, with no notice.

The tenants bedrooms have no locks on the doors either.

Does anyone know what rights the girls have in this instance?

Cheers,
Jack

[Deleted User]

jackvaughn wrote: »

Not sure if anyone knows anything about letting law, but would like to get some clarity on this issue...

My partner rents a bedroom in a 3 bedroom house. Two other girls rent the other 2 bedrooms.

The kitchen, bathroom and hallway are all shared between them.
Each of the 3 tenants have their own tenancy agreement.

A couple of days ago, the landlord let himself in, unannounced, having given no notice.

One of the girls was understandably very unhappy about this and complained.

She was told that the landlord legally has to give 24 hours notice, but since he was entering the communal areas, no notice was required.

My partner now feels very uncomfortable as a man who they don't really know can now let himself in at anytime, with no notice.

The tenants bedrooms have no locks on the doors either.

Does anyone know what rights the girls have in this instance?

Cheers,
Jack

The landlord has the right to enter the communal parts of the property without notice and to access the bedrooms legally he needs to give the tenant(s) 24 hours of written notice.

Mutton_Geoff

jackvaughn wrote: »

a man who they don't really know can now let himself in at anytime, with no notice

He's their landlord. It's his property. If they rent the whole place between themselves under an AST then they can require notice of a visit but then if anyone leaves, the others are still responsible for the rent.


What time of the day was the visit and for what purpose?

G_M

As said, it depends if

1) all 3 tenants are on a single 'joint and several' tenancy for the entire property. Or
2) each tenant has a separate tenancy in their sole name, for their bedroom + shared access to the communal areas.

If 1) above they have exclusive occupation of the property and can deny the LL access. Change the front door lock if necessary.

If 2) the LL has right to enter the communal areas (but not the bedrooms) at any time without notice

Bexgrossman

Bit weird there aren’t any locks on the doors if the housemates don’t know each other.

jackvaughn

Bexgrossman wrote: »

Bit weird there aren’t any locks on the doors if the housemates don’t know each other.

Seems to be quite a typical house share deal in London.
When someone leaves, the house mates can try and find a replacement. If not, the landlord can move who he wants in and the existing tenants just have to accept it.

G_M

jackvaughn wrote: »

Seems to be quite a typical house share deal in London.
When someone leaves, the house mates can try and find a replacement. If not, the landlord can move who he wants in and the existing tenants just have to accept it.

So sounds like each room is let on a separate tenancy. But please confirm post 4 above option 2?

It's an HMO. Very common.


Is it a licenced HMO and if not, does it need to be? Check with local council.


https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence