Property entered without our permission

roaduser3189

Long story short. We are coming to the end of tenancy with a LL from hell. Tenancy ends 8th Dec. 

We have moved out a week ago to our new property. I have visited the property this evening to collect something to find that someone had clearly been there - blinds were open, furniture moved, wardrobe doors open and toilet seat up. It's not how we left it and I have photos of how things were a week ago. 

We have had no correspondence from LL or anyone to say /ask if someone was going to come around.

The LL has been in process of selling the house so the estate agent has a key, however they have always given us notice. 

I feel very shaken up that someone has been inside, and as we have the tenancy until 8th I'm conscious that we are liable for any damage caused up until that date.

I have contacted the police and they weren't particularly helpful. 

I'm lost as to what to do. Any thoughts?

diggingdude

I would change the locks but it may not be worth it to you for the last few days. Request a check out inspection immediately and then return the keys? 

Thrugelmir

roaduser3189 said:

I have contacted the police and they weren't particularly helpful. 

What were you expecting them to do? 

lookstraightahead

Why don't you contact the estate agent? 

lookstraightahead

Thrugelmir said:

roaduser3189 said:

I have contacted the police and they weren't particularly helpful. 

What were you expecting them to do? 

The same as if any house had been broken into 

canaldumidi

roaduser3189 said:

I have contacted the police and they weren't particularly helpful. 

I'm lost as to what to do. Any thoughts?

Unless the person who came also stole something of yours, no crime has ben committed.

You have 3 options:

1) do nothing, wait 7 more days, request your deposit, and move on with your life

2) contact the LL and/or letting agent and/or estate agent, requesting that you be given notice befoe any further visits

3) change the locks, and change them back again on the 8th

user1977

lookstraightahead said:

Thrugelmir said:

roaduser3189 said:

I have contacted the police and they weren't particularly helpful. 

What were you expecting them to do? 

The same as if any house had been broken into 

But it hasn't been broken into (or any other crime committed), if all that's happened is the landlord has used their set of keys and entered the property.

warby68

Although its wrong because your tenancy hasn't ended yet, if its visibly obvious you've moved out, I can imagine why any key holders persuade themselves its ok just to go in. A word in the ear of agents and landlord may be enough.

The chances of anyone entering for nefarious purposes are probably small. The people with keys are interested in the property 'professionally' so very unlikely they have any motivation to do damage or cause problems.

Police seems a little OTT if you haven't actually contacted the likely culprits first. Plenty of people, even those in the business, equate (mistakenly) moving out with the effective end of tenancy.

roaduser3189

My concern is that someone entered our property without notice or consent. Irrespective of whether it is currently empty or not , it is still contractually ours until the 8th. 

Neither the sales agent who has the key nor the LL knew we moved out the weekend before. 

Thrugelmir

lookstraightahead said:

Thrugelmir said:

roaduser3189 said:

I have contacted the police and they weren't particularly helpful. 

What were you expecting them to do? 

The same as if any house had been broken into 

Are you the OP? 

Thrugelmir

roaduser3189 said:

My concern is that someone entered our property without notice or consent. Irrespective of whether it is currently empty or not , it is still contractually ours until the 8th. 

Takes two to tango.