AIBU to think that this shouldn't happen?

[singmespanishtechno]

On nights starting from tonight. Planned my usual routine from last night so stayed up late hoping for a bit of a lie in this morning, then get up and do shopping, clean house and cook to prepare for a few days of work, then a few hours nap in the afternoon.

I live alone so was pretty disturbed to hear someone moving around in my kitchen at 8am this morning. Got up to find a repairman there, he was as shocked as I was! He had knocked but obviously I hadn't heard. He'd been given keys by my letting agency to carry out some work but no one had told me about it! He was really surprised that I hadn't been told but I said it was fine but I needed to go to sleep later, he said he would be finished.

I still managed to go out and do the shop etc but haven't really been able to cook or clean as the kitchen is out of action. I sent an email to my letting agency to tell them what had happened, I explained I was on nights so would be asleep for the rest of the afternoon and I really needed to know if anyone else was coming this week as I'm not keen on being asleep with people coming in and out all day.

The repairman left around mid afternoon as he said he would and I settled down for a sleep. Just dropping off when the phone rang, it was my letting agency ringing to apologise about not letting me know. It turned out that they and the landlord did not know either and the contractor had just arranged to come. I only answered the phone because I didn't want any more surprises but I was disappointed that they didn't read my email saying I would be sleeping.

I then went back to sleep and an hour later a charity worker rang the buzzer asking for donations. Again I answered the buzzer because I didn't want someone letting themselves in again!

I'm now absolutely fed up and have had one hours sleep today plus a shorter sleep last night due to staying up late and being woken up early.

So really I have 2 AIBUs

1. AIBU to think that the 24 hours notice rule should apply to contractors as well as landlords and the letting agency should know who has keys to my house?
   

1. AIBU to think that many people think that a night shift means a day off and no one needs to sleep before or after them?
   

I might just be being grouchy because I'm faced with a 13 hour shift and worried that I will struggle more than usual.

[DoreenLethal]

Surely the letting agency gave the keys to the contractor? And of course the 24 hour rule applies.

[Dipankrispaneven]

The letting agency should have made it clear to the contractor that he couldn't go into any tenant's house without giving enough notice. You need to establish whether they did that and the contractor chose to ignore it, or not.

Can you disconnect your buzzer when you're sleeping during the day?

[singmespanishtechno]

I think the letting agent gave them the keys before Christmas as I had a pretty catastrophic problem, the aftermath of which is now being fixed, but it's no longer an urgent issue. It's difficult to know if they told the letting agent that the work had been scheduled for today or not. When they came (once) before Christmas they rang me before to check it was ok.

I'm going to look at how to disconnect the buzzer now, thanks for the idea. It wasn't the charity collectors fault as he didn't know I was asleep, however someone else must have buzzed him into the building as there was a knock on my door shortly after he buzzed, I already told him over the buzzer that I was on night shifts and sleeping but I guess he didn't really register which flat number.

I put my phone on aeroplane mode usually when sleeping so should have done than tonight!

I just hope it doesn't happen tomorrow! Especially if I disconnect the buzzer they might let themselves in again! I guess the repairman today is the one with the keys so hopefully he will make sure someone rings me first.

[notquitehuman]

The letting agent should have confirmed things with you in advance before handing over the keys. That would have scared the shit out of me! It's their fault, not the contractor.

[ChubbyKitty]

Yanbu on both accounts, the 24 hour rule I would is the least I'd expect if a contractor was being sent round (dh works nights and if it's a day that I'm at work he needs to know he's got to go to bed a bit later).

And some people have a really bizarre attitude to nights. I often get asked why dh is still in bed 5 hours after he finished work

[LalaLyra]

I'd be more than grouchy in your shoes!

[singmespanishtechno]

Thanks guys! I was pretty frightened this morning, had my phone in my hands ready to dial 999 as I went to check out the noise, but then wondered why a burglar would be putting plates in the cupboard. I thought maybe my mum had travelled 200 miles to make a surprise visit and broken in somehow ;-)

[Jenj1983]

I hate when charity people buzz when you are trying to sleep so yanbu for that alone!!

[goodnessgraciousgoudaoriginal]

Disconnect the buzzer and put a note on your door saying:

"Do NOT disturb/Do NOT enter flat"

That way, if a contractor DOES come in, then you will be well within your rights to tell them to leave immediately, as you are on night shifts and your letting agent has not agreed the timing of this work with you in advance.

[StarkyTheDirewolf]

Yanbu! The 24 hour rule should apply!

I'd been moved into my old flat for a fortnight and was asleep in bed mid-morning I worked nights when I heard a man letting himself in. I nearly shit myself had just escaped an abusive ex and ran through to find a letting agent in my front room telling a couple that the TV my tv and all the appliances came with the let! He tried to brazen it out and left fairly swiftly but it shook me! I slept fully dressed in the living room for a week afterwards in case it happened again!

[Nanny0gg]

Do what my children do and don't allow anyone in your flat unless you're present.

In which case it can never be a surprise.