landlord help!

Ally

kymmie wrote: »

At first we did have a problem with our boilder but all is fine and well now, that was his reason to come into the property, But knowing that he comes in when he feels like it and two sets of keys going missing this has made him upset and he is trying to say where in the tennacy does it state that we can change the locks? of which we replied where does it say you can come in when you desire? of course he did say it was his property and that we wernt allowed to change the locks over the phone but not in the written tennacy but that is legal is it not that we can change the locks but just as long as the landlord had the set when we vacate the property at the end of our stay?

Check with Shelter, but I am almost certain that you can change the locks, providing you replace the old ones when your tenancy agreement ends and you move on.

kymmie_2

chrissie55 wrote: »

Also, do get on a housing list with yr local council &/or housing assoc. It can take a long time to get housed, but it costs nothing. Chidren's Services' involvement may make yr case for housing stronger. Also remember, a lot of bullies can't take any1 standing their ground. Best of luck to yez!

Well we are trying to get back down to bedfordshire i am currently in nottingham but my family are all down there and we are going onto the housing list there with child services involvement! we just have to wait for the guardianship to go though with my 14 year old and we should be fine!

Also i know what you mean with bullys because its like he has lost his dummy at the moment with him my god its like a sulking toddler who cant get his own way! lol

kymmie_2

Ally wrote: »

Check with Shelter, but I am almost certain that you can change the locks, providing you replace the old ones when your tenancy agreement ends and you move on.

I knew it!!! im sure now that you have confirmed got my partner here aswell he just reading through the tennacy and all its stating is keeping the outside clean and looking good and any damage within the property has to be fixed before we leave!!

Lavendyr

I don't think it's been mentioned yet but he is harrassing you which is a criminal offence. Write down everything he has done - dates, times, witnesses, and report him to the police for harrassment. This man sounds like a horrible person, especially to threaten your 14-year-old.

Just to re-emphasise, you DO NOT have to let him in unless it is an emergency (e.g. gas leak), and he MUST obtain 24 hours' notice from you before attending the property (unless, again, it is an absolute emergency). Furthermore, that's not just the case of telling you "I'm coming around at X time", the arrangement must be by mutual agreement.

Given his behaviour I cannot imagine that any court in the world would tell you that you should not have changed the locks. You have done exactly the right thing. Do not give this man a key.

As for the term in the agreement, it would be interesting to hear the exact wording as it sounds as though it could be an unfair term. Go to the CAB with the agreement and ask for legal advice. If I were you I'd want to be out there ASAP.

Really sorry, what a horrible situation for you and your family. I hope you get it sorted soon!

kymmie_2

We just found a quote stating ''Not to make or have made any duplicate keys to the property or to replace or add any new locks to the property without the previous written consent of the landlord or his agent and in the event of such consent being forthcoming the tenant undertakes that one full set keys to the new locks shall at all times be provided at the tenats expenses to the landlord or his agent''

What can we do? children services have okayed that we have changed the locks for safety but does this mean that we have broken our tennacy agreement and could be evicted?

kymmie_2

Thank you so much for your comment lavendyr, it is horrible and quite stressful! he doesnt seem to care and as soon as guardianship is over to us im hoping to be out of here. I am under NO cercumstances giving that thing that i have to call a landlord a key to come in when he likes and to shout at us... My parents did say by law he should only be coming around once a month and that is just to collect rent no other reason apart from that one time with the boiler / theft incident did he have a good enough reason to enter my property.

chrissie55

It's highly unlikely that he cd evict u - the lock-change was a response to his v unreasonable behaviour - but talk to CAB, Shelter, Children's Services, &/or yr Council Housing Officer asap, & keep yr confidence up! Remember y're in the right, & it's a struggle for yr rights, & the rights of all tenants. We went through a lot of landlord-cr*p when we lived in our park/mobile home, but we won in the end. Bad landlords, f*** their luck! Best wishes.

Ally

kymmie wrote: »

I knew it!!! im sure now that you have confirmed got my partner here aswell he just reading through the tennacy and all its stating is keeping the outside clean and looking good and any damage within the property has to be fixed before we leave!!

No, please do check with Shelter/CAB to confirm this first.

You really do need to research the information yourself - not just assume what people say is fact, that is why I posted links for you to read through - you need details of legislations. It is possible that your tenancy agreement includes unfair terms, but again, you will need to have this checked.

As mentioned before, seek advice from Shelter or your local CAB. The CAB will be able to write on your behalf to your landlord (there is a standard letter on their information system).

kymmie_2

chrissie55 wrote: »

It's highly unlikely that he cd evict u - the lock-change was a response to his v unreasonable behaviour - but talk to CAB, Shelter, Children's Services, &/or yr Council Housing Officer asap, & keep yr confidence up! Remember y're in the right, & it's a struggle for yr rights, & the rights of all tenants. We went through a lot of landlord-cr*p when we lived in our park/mobile home, but we won in the end. Bad landlords, f*** their luck! Best wishes.

Talk about it! i just needed to know that i definatly was doing the right thing to be honest because it just cant keep going on like this, him letting himself in and thinking he owns the place shouting at my 14 year old and her friends during the day its just not on anymore

Diamond78

I am sorry about the position you are in and for the way you are being treated.Like OP have said contact shelter. They are really good. I contacted shelter as thats what I was advised on here as I was having and still having problems with the landlord. I have now got a solicitor involved although I will hopefully move out soon when I find suitable property. Shelter have offices in most regions. If you get any kind of housing benefit, your local council will have a department for tenants living in private rented property.Look at your councils website and have a look under housing.I wish you and your family all the best and hope it gets sorted out soon.x