CF or 'helpful' landlord???

Can you put a padlock on the gate?

How does he even know what your back garden looks like unless he's coming in?

I bc wouldn't say anything but would leave another pile outside with a note saying please leave and with all subsequent piles. You can't do anything about what's happened without bad feeling but you can start to condition future behaviour
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The landlord should give you a minimum of 24 hours notice before entering the property and then only with your permission, this includes the garden.

He is therefore overstepping legal boundaries here.

It does however sound as if he is trying to be helpful even if a bit misguided about how that should look.

A gentle conversation to explain that you really appreciate his help but it would be nice if he could send you a text the day before he arrives to warn you he's coming to avoid any embarrassment for either party if you're not up and dressed or having a bad day health wise. You could also ask about the items and mention they were there to be cleaned and sorted and does he know where they've gone before you report the theft to the police. Obviously not suggesting you do that but it might bring it home to him that he made an error of judgement in removing them.

If you'd really rather he didn't come in any more I'd just sent a polite message saying you'd rather he didn't enter the garden without giving appropriate notice in future and leave it at that. The law is on your side if you really don't want him there.

I'd tell them that someone has come into your garden uninvited and that you're putting a lock on the gate for your security.

If he owns up say you are not at all comfortable with anyone being able to come in without your permission and presence.

All those comments will make you look like a dick and create an an air of awkwardness Why not ask him to help you on a few jobs. Get to know him. He sounds like a lovely soul.

After reading your last update, OP I would say send a message along the lines of - thanks for the thought however, I hadn’t finished sorting the garden things. In future please let me know when you’re coming over.

I think this is a good balance between letting him know and not souring relations.

He’s wrong, he can’t just do that. So you’re absolutely within your rights to get him to stop.

However… I am disabled and can’t mow my own lawn, I pay £20 a fortnight to have it done. It was really difficult to even find someone with availability to do it, and I have to have it every fortnight on their route to keep my spot. That’s about £500 a year!!! I would put up with these minor intrusions on that basis. So although you’re in the right, just consider whether you’d be cutting off your nose to spite your face.

@Inbetweenie993 They're trying to be helpful, but they should not be doing this.

For me, it'd be a conversation like,

Thanks for all your help with the garden I really have appreciated it. That stuff your removed from the garden was to be sorted and not all thrown away. It's no big deal but its made me realise, I've let you help me too much. If I need help I will let you know. Thank you for your kindness. I love living here and it's great knowing I've got such fab LLs.

Or you can write it in a Christmas card to them.

Helpful with poor Comms.

You are a "disabled widow" and he has an interest in keeping his "asset" aka your home in good order. They sound like they have good intentions and if they like you are a tenant they prob want to "help" to show you they like you/appreciate you.

What does your contract/lease say?
Check it and if it's your responsibility

Just message and say

"thanks for help to date on the garden. I checked the lease and it's my responsibility. While it was kind of Derek to help with the leaves in the autumn, visits/popping in are no longer necessary / should stop. I have recently engaged a regular gardener and so garden maintenance is now fully in hand.
If you would like to inspect the garden or house happy for you to do this annually or twice yearly. I am happy to do this and pre-agreed dates and times that suit us both"

I'd get a lock put on the gate Op so he can't just walk in uninvited. It's lovely you have such good landlords but you're disabled, not a child, and they need to treat you as an adult who deserves their privacy

Even though you're sure it was him, I think the suggestions of asking if he knows what happened/saw anything are good - it's a non-confrontational way into to a conversation which ends in "I really appreciate your efforts to help but this needs to change".

Edit: is it always the landlord "popping round"? Could you contact the landlady instead so it's more "I know he's trying to help but it's freaking me out not being able to leave things in my garden"?

Can you just put a lock on the gate?

I would ask him if he knows anything about the pile of belongings that have been stolen from the garden? You'd like to make a police report and wanted to check if he knew anything. Absolute CF. I work in property and letting and you are entitled to quiet enjoyment of the property and whilst you are to maintain it as your lease / tenancy agreement is worded, the landlord should not be taking it upon themselves to remove belongings.

Of course the landlord should be nowhere near your home BUT it's really helpful to have someone like this on side. Can you add an extra padlock to the gate?

I’m guessing after renting her home for 9 years, the LL is satisfied with the OP.

OP, if you check out the Shelter website, and indeed Gov.Uk, all the legalities are very clearly set out.

Does she have an untidy garden ? I have no idea , that would not go down well .

They do not have the legal right to resort to this. Putting items in the garden for sorting at a more convenient date is none of the landlord’s concern.

“Hello Landlord - I know you were being your usual helpful self. (DON’T SAY “BUT”) The things I had out in the garden the other day? Some of them I wanted to keep.”
___

Then let him respond. No accusations, no recriminations, just an easy conversation and state the facts.

But the landlord should not be entering her garden unannounced. She's got every right to have an untidy pile in the garden she pays rent for. The landlord doesn't have a right to 'resort' to throwing her stuff away.

I wonder if they do it out of fear you’re neglecting the property? Ie it’s going to attract rats/you aren’t looking after the bins

You might find if you complain they could end your contract ASAP (or might be looking to do this anyway) out of concerns you’re not a tidy tenant.

Legally he has to give you notice to request an appointment to visit. Quiet enjoyment of your home and all that.

Ask him to give you the visit notice your contract states. It’s supposed to be in writing but if you’ve a good relationship, I’d phrase it’s as ‘a call or text as a heads up would be great, thanks’.

Garden is still outside !