Handyman let himself into my room!

crispsandwich

I live in a HMO on a Assured Shorthold Tenancy (which is for my room). Anyhow, my g/f has been staying with me for a few months. She pays bills, contributes towards Sky and Tv licence etc, so even though she aint on the tenancy she is a 5th member of the household. She doesn't annoy anyone.

Anyhow, the handyman comes every month to check everything is OK. My g/f was in bed this morning and he unlocked the door and popped his head in, saw her, said hello, asked is she was OK and went.

I'm extremely p**s*d off. How dare he let himself into my room? What would he have done if she wasn't there?

He's a nice friendly bloke but he's really crossed the line.

I'd love it if this somehow meant I could leave this cold, damp, noisy house.
But I think a strongly worded letter to the landlord and landlady will have to suffice.

Any advice on what I should put?

bobby-boy_2

Hi crispsandwhich Handyman should not be entering your room BUT I would think twice before sending any letter where I confessed to my Landlord I was breaching my tenancy and probably breaking the HMO license agreement.

5 people in a property licensed for 4 think the council might want a word with you.

So yes you can get out of your lease just send the letter as it states you have broken your tenancy agreement and the landlord has grounds to evict you.
Maybe not what you wanted to hear.

crispsandwich

Thanks for the reply.

My g/f is a student so council tax doesn't apply to her anyway. If the LL gets funny about it, I'll say she's a guest (which she is).

I'm more concerned with the fact that he just unlocked my door. He either knew she was there and just let himself in (she could have been walking round naked for all he knew) or he didn't know she was there and was snooping. Totally unacceptable either way.

I'm changing the locks.

clutton_2

your girl friend is living there - dont be an idiot - if you make waves the LL will kick her out and you - get off your high horse. As bobby-boy says - your LL could be in serious trouble if there are 5 folks living there and he aint gonna be happy with you !!!

neas

Yea... a guest for months who contributes towarsd bills is not a guest... thats a tenant.

My friend did this to me ages ago... his girlfriend was coming to live "For a couple of weeks"... 6 month later when we all moved out... little !!!!ed off... they didn't pay anymore towards rent or bills/elecy though.

While the handyman has broken a law/agreement so have you by having your GF live there.

neas

Also make sure you can change to locks before you do so or you could be in more trouble. and requested to pay for them changed back (charged at a higher fee).

I know you think your clean as a cats wisker... but you are also breaking the law/regualtions... so shopping him might shop yourself. And get yourself into trouble... You should come clean to your Landlord to see how he feels about your gf staying their as a permanent resident.

jrangi

You will be better off having a "friendly" chat with the Handyman - obviously stating that your GF visits and that it is no longer acceptable to just walk into your room.

neas

crispsandwich wrote: »

Totally unacceptable either way.

Totall unacceptable to lie to your Landlord or hide the fact your adding an extra tenant to a property rated for 4.

crispsandwich

Ta for the replies. I'm not on my high horse, just a bit ignorant . Didn't actually think the LL could get in trouble for her living there. A bit naive I know. Might have to discuss it with them then. They'll either accept it or tell me to go.

As for the locks, I'm just uncomfortable with the handyman letting himself into my room. He has no right to do that. Don't know what he was doing. He might just be nosey but he still has no right to let himself into people's spaces. My AST is for my room so in effect he is breaking into my home as far as I'm concerned.

neas

should give you 24 hours notice, inform him of this.

As for the gf, does she pay equally like 1/5 split of all costs and are other occupants fine with the arrangement (im guessing they are). Landlords can get into trouble with safety regulations, like if there was a fire theres too many livnig there or not enough bathrooms for 5 people etc.

crispsandwich

Yeah we just split bills 5 ways. The other tenants have never had a problem with her being there, that's why I never really considered it to be a problem. As much as I don't like the LL for previous shady practices (see previous posts for info), I wouldn't want to drop them in it.