Landlord/Letting agent letting themselves in

G_M · 4 May 2014 at 9:54PM

Do you want to stay there?

Either way, to protect your privacy, and for your peace of mind, do two things: write a letter, addressed to the landlady (send a copy to the agent) and send it to the address you've been given (by law) "for the serving of notices" (usually on your tenancy agreement). If this address is c/o the agent, send it there.

then change the lock. Keep the old lock and replace it when you leave.

Bear in mind that as your tenancy is now periodic, the LL could decide to give you (two months) notice.

1) Dear Ms Landlady,

On at least two occassions recently, either you or your agents have accessed my home without either advance notice, or agreement. As you can imagine, this is upsetting and worrying.

I am, of course, happy to agree to access for reasonable periodic inspections, or repairs, subject to the usual 24 hours advance written notice, and my reasonable re-scheduling of these if they are at a time inconvenient to me.

Please feel free to write to me here if/when you have occassion to visit.

Yours sincerely,

skint-nurse

2) locks
Get a screwdriver and a friend.
Remove lock barrel or lock (see below)
Leave friend guarding house.
Take lock to a DIY store or locksmith and get an identical matching lock
Go home and fit new lock
Thank friend.

( as an alternative to the above, send friend to the shops while you guard the front door!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXAo7zSN-9o

http://handymanknowhow.co.uk/safetyandsecurity/changing%20a%20mortise%20lock.htm

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=utube+change+mortice+lock&docid=608008378135217029&mid=A442AC4E31B1BC67F458A442AC4E31B1BC67F458&view=detail&FORM=VIRE3#view=detail&mid=A442AC4E31B1BC67F458A442AC4E31B1BC67F458

Big_Tree · 4 May 2014 at 10:21PM

i would change the locks....I imagine the landlady would be annoyed if she tried to gain access again but couldn't

topdaddy_2 · 4 May 2014 at 10:24PM

There is no need for a friend to keep gaurd in this case. I suspect thats copy and paste from posts regarding eviction.

G_M · 4 May 2014 at 10:45PM

topdaddy wrote: »

There is no need for a friend to keep gaurd in this case. I suspect thats copy and paste from posts regarding eviction.

Not at all.

It's a bit dumb to take a lock off and wander off to the shops with it. Who know who might be passing the unlocked and unlockable front door!

Hence the friend.

(of course, if the door has two locks, as some do, then I agree the friend is not needed)

skint-student-nurse · 5 May 2014 at 9:08AM

morning, thank you for all the replies so far. i will get some letters written up today and get them posted off via recorded delivery tomorrow.

I have never refused any inspections or entry for repairs as they have never requested any inspections, and after contacting the landlady via letter before about a leaking pipe in the bathroom, no repairs were carried out by the handyman she was supposed to have organised.

I can feel a section 21 coming my way though, they threatened me with a section 8 for the arrears (after they were cleared) and its just their general attitude with this situation. I have a feeling that any section 21 would be invalid though as there is an issue with the prescribed information with the deposit - or lack of it.

Annie1960 · 5 May 2014 at 10:00AM

skint-student-nurse wrote: »

morning, thank you for all the replies so far. i will get some letters written up today and get them posted off via recorded delivery tomorrow.

I have never refused any inspections or entry for repairs as they have never requested any inspections, and after contacting the landlady via letter before about a leaking pipe in the bathroom, no repairs were carried out by the handyman she was supposed to have organised.

I can feel a section 21 coming my way though, they threatened me with a section 8 for the arrears (after they were cleared) and its just their general attitude with this situation. I have a feeling that any section 21 would be invalid though as there is an issue with the prescribed information with the deposit - or lack of it.

There is no need to pay for recorded delivery. Put a normal stamp on, take it to the Post Office any get proof of posting (which obviously you need to keep). If you send it first class it will be deemed delivered two working days later - a bit longer for second class.

Also, sending by recorded delivery gives the receiver an option not to receive it, if they don't want to.

DStu · 5 May 2014 at 2:25PM

Kynthia wrote: »

You are within your rights to change the locks and not give them a spare. If you agreed not to change your locks in your contract then they could take you to court over it

Very sorry to hijack the thread! But just had a quick question.
I'm about to sign a new tenancy, and was thinking about changing the locks when I move in. Not because of LL / LA, but more concerns of old tenants having access if they kept any keys (paranoid I know!)
But the agreement has the following terms:

Not to alter, change or install additional locks on any doors and windows in and about the Property or have any additional keys made for existing locks (save in the event of an emergency) without the formal consent of the Landlord or the Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Presumably, in my case, I don't have the right to change the lock without permission?
So should just ask; and they shouldn't be allowed to refuse permission, seeing as it's reasonable?

G_M · 5 May 2014 at 2:42PM

There are several related issues:

1) the contract requires you to get consent. You signed the contract. That is a legally binding agreement. However, it is a reasonable request, and any reasonable lanlord/agent would agree, though will almost certainly add the condition that you provide them with copies of the new keys.

2) In some cases, we advise tenants to change the locks to protect themselves from intrusive/unresonable LLs (as in this thread) despite the contractual agreement. Although a breach of contract, In practice

a) the LL/agent should be giving 24 hours notice before visiting, so should never need to use their keys except in emergency (which is (extremely rare).

b) so they will never know the lock has been changed, unless they come round unannounced and try their key, which is itself a breach of contract.

c) If they do find out, the only action they can take is to get a court order instrucing you to replace the lock. Again, very rare for LLs to do this, and if you can show the court you had good reason (as in the case of this thread) for changing the lock, the court may well refuse the LL's request.

robatwork · 5 May 2014 at 2:42PM

Discuss this before agreeing the tenancy. Tell the LL/LA you will be changing lock barrels as soon as you move in and will give both a spare key - get them to agree it in writing.

It's not paranoid at all - anyone in the world can have your house key.

DStu · 5 May 2014 at 2:50PM

Great, thank you both.

Landlord/Letting agent letting themselves in

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