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Original poster

Landlord requesting acess for viewings under the guise of repairs. Safety risk?

37 replies

LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 07:28

Landlord is trying to sell the property, I have been a tenant for 11 years but know that has little meaning.

There was some dispute regarding the state of the house which lead to a notice being issued by the local council for the landlord to carry out repairs.

Since this the landlord is not interested in conducting repairs, only interested in getting rid of the property as he said he can't afford the repairs.

I have facilitated acess to the property for repairs ( was told was for work and repairs) but they never were for repairs, on the days allowed in someone comes for a viewing (without him nor a state agent) or it's for an inspection, or is for anything else but repairs.

I am actively searching to move out, my contract is periodic, landlord hasn't protected my deposit so can't evict me easly and I am guessing he needs my rent payments until selling. But I'm fed up of allowing acess for something that is never for what is asked for. For context I have a disabled teen that is immunecompromised and in psychological care so this affects us both.

Isn't this a breach of privacy and safety risk?

Legally what can I do?

AIBU to not allow more acess appart from REAL repairs?

OP posts:
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Comefromaway · 10/04/2024 09:30

The time limit is 6 years from the date the deposit should have been returned, not 6 years from the start of the tenancy.

3pSweet · 10/04/2024 08:52

OP the situation you describe sounds so stressful. I appreciate that the advice here is well-meaning, but you might want to contact CAB or the council homelessness prevention team for reliable information and support on your next steps.

As you’ve been a tenant for 11 years, the time period for making a claim against your LL for failing to protect your deposit may have been lost, as theres a time limit of 6 years. I know this because a friend made a claim a few years ago and only found out about it in the first place from the council homelessness prevention officer.

dimllaishebiaith · 10/04/2024 08:30

iamtheblcksheep · 09/04/2024 07:36

So you reported your landlord to the council? That was your choice but this will always be the consequence.

Your landlord sounds financially compromised. You need to spend less time thinking about access and more time on finding somewhere to live.

There may be consequences if you report your landlord to the council but those consequences should be them complying with the law, not giving any person a key to the OPs house to let themselves in when an immunocompromised child is recieving treatment

Naunet · 10/04/2024 08:26

Hereyoume · 09/04/2024 08:41

Depends OP.

How important is a reference for you to secure another property.

If you don't need one and also don't need your deposit back, then report him to whoever you like, then you can both enter into a protracted and expensive game of legalities.

If you do need a reference and your deposit then you might have to play the long ball. Keep him onside so you can move on. .

He can’t just keep her deposit, and the fact that he’s not protected it, means he could have to pay her back 3 times the amount.

Original poster
LolaMacbeth · 10/04/2024 07:38

Rockschooldropout · 09/04/2024 19:27

Just a reminder that the LL has not kept up to date with gas safety checks and given his general disdain over repairs , the OP is within her rights to report him and it’s a very serious offence - if he’s worrying about money now , he will be after a fine of around £6000 . Landlords like this give good ones a bad name .
OP change the lock barrel , you are within your rights to do this . LL needs to give you 24 hours notice if required access and you are within your rights to refuse to allow viewings until you move out

I haven't realised how serious that was until it was mentioned here and I had a search on the dangers of not having the gas inspection regularly yesterday.

OP posts:
Rockschooldropout · 09/04/2024 19:27

Just a reminder that the LL has not kept up to date with gas safety checks and given his general disdain over repairs , the OP is within her rights to report him and it’s a very serious offence - if he’s worrying about money now , he will be after a fine of around £6000 . Landlords like this give good ones a bad name .
OP change the lock barrel , you are within your rights to do this . LL needs to give you 24 hours notice if required access and you are within your rights to refuse to allow viewings until you move out

Roundandnour · 09/04/2024 16:38

Temporarily change the lock barrel and when you leave change it back.

if not get a camera for inside your property one that also records sound. Tell those visitors that you are recording annd why. Every time he sends someone under false pretences report this to whoever is dealing with your case. If they don’t know that the gas cert has expired tell them.

Deposit scheme. If he hasn’t you can get up to 3 times the amount back btw. And if he looses he will also have to pay the court costs.

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

Tenancy deposit protection

Tenant's guide to deposit protection schemes - your deposit, information landlords must provide, disputes and advice.

https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

bellezarara · 09/04/2024 16:34

LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 08:48

At this point I don't think I will see my deposit as I asked him where he had protected it and he dismissed the question. I don't necessarily need it for new place but I would ofc want my deposit back. Reference? After reporting him to the council I am afraid I lost that. It's sad because I never faulted with paying rent, but that's how landlords have leverage over tenants and people are scared to report repairs.

Show quote history

I would ask Shelter if you can withhold rent to the amount of the deposit.

And keep denying access to viewers.

Hope you find somewhere better.

Comefromaway · 09/04/2024 16:30

If he hasn't protected your deposit then you can take him to court. You will have to pay the court fee but you can claim it back from him. Worst case scenario is he has to give you all your deposit back. Best case is the court can award you up to three times the amount of the deposit.

Original poster
LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 16:17

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 09/04/2024 09:19

As a LL I’m normally not a fan of restricting access etc however in your case I think you really should be doing so. With regards deposit, repairs, etc I would contact your local council/shelter etc as given all these scenarios and the health ones you might be pushed to the top of a list.

Shelter seems to be uncountactable at the moment. Everytime I call just hangs up after saying there's no one to answer. Been like that for good few weeks.

OP posts:
trippily · 09/04/2024 10:43

iamtheblcksheep · 09/04/2024 07:36

So you reported your landlord to the council? That was your choice but this will always be the consequence.

Your landlord sounds financially compromised. You need to spend less time thinking about access and more time on finding somewhere to live.

They should live in substandard housing instead? Wtf mumsnet you never fail to amazs

valensiwalensi · 09/04/2024 10:42

he can fuck the fuck off and then keep on fucking going.

Please contact CAB/Shelter for advice here.

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 09/04/2024 09:19

As a LL I’m normally not a fan of restricting access etc however in your case I think you really should be doing so. With regards deposit, repairs, etc I would contact your local council/shelter etc as given all these scenarios and the health ones you might be pushed to the top of a list.

BobbyBiscuits · 09/04/2024 09:14

Turn them away. Tell him no access from him or anyone else. Tell him you know he's not doing any repairs so legally he can't say fuck all.
What a scumbag.

Original poster
LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 08:48

Hereyoume · 09/04/2024 08:41

Depends OP.

How important is a reference for you to secure another property.

If you don't need one and also don't need your deposit back, then report him to whoever you like, then you can both enter into a protracted and expensive game of legalities.

If you do need a reference and your deposit then you might have to play the long ball. Keep him onside so you can move on. .

At this point I don't think I will see my deposit as I asked him where he had protected it and he dismissed the question. I don't necessarily need it for new place but I would ofc want my deposit back. Reference? After reporting him to the council I am afraid I lost that. It's sad because I never faulted with paying rent, but that's how landlords have leverage over tenants and people are scared to report repairs.

OP posts:
Rockschooldropout · 09/04/2024 08:41

I would be reporting him for the gas safety check ..I have zero sympathy for any landlord who fails to comply .. the boiler could be dangerous and could kill the next tenant

Hereyoume · 09/04/2024 08:41

Depends OP.

How important is a reference for you to secure another property.

If you don't need one and also don't need your deposit back, then report him to whoever you like, then you can both enter into a protracted and expensive game of legalities.

If you do need a reference and your deposit then you might have to play the long ball. Keep him onside so you can move on. .

Original poster
LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 08:37

hedgehoglurker · 09/04/2024 08:27

Has he exceeded the timelines given by the council for repairs? Have you gone back to them?

Also, is he providing viewers with a key? If so, change the locks. If not, you don't have to let them in.

Not yet no. The timeline was 3 months for repairs in conjunction with 3 months selective license exemption as when the council was investigating him they found he didn't apply for one to rent. So he had to quickly apply for an exemption and tell them he is trying to sell. Meanwhile the council issues him the notice as the house does really need extensive work. So I assume he is now desperate to get rid of the property and not considering the people that live there and have been paying his mortgage all these years. He doesn't care. That's why he lying about who comes to the house... mind the lady that came to view the house told me she didn't know the house was tenanted. I am assuming he didn't tell the agency he is a landlord, wouldn't be surprised if he had a residential mortage instead of a btl one.

To be fair I just want out. Can't deal with this much longer. Hopefully can find a place soon.

OP posts:
Rockschooldropout · 09/04/2024 08:31

I’d be reporting him for not complying with gas safety regs . He faces a several thousand pound fine or even up to six months in prison

Rockschooldropout · 09/04/2024 08:29

LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 08:27

No it has passed the 12 months mark.

Show quote history

In which case .. not protecting your deposit is the least of his worries

NewNameHello · 09/04/2024 08:29

LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 07:41

Yes, just last week I denied acess several times for a particular day, as my child was receiving treatment and he still sent someone for a viewing. That someone was absolutely convinced that everything was fine to proceed with the viewing, no landlord and agent were present either. The first time this happened I actually conducted the viewing myself and let the lady come in.

Show quote history

Stop doing that. Id add extra security to the doors if possible eg separate locks/security chain. Double lock doors you can. Its worrying strangers could take copies of keys/route through your stuff when not there.

i was in rented but leaving. I showed a few viewers round and funnily enough we got burgled. Im not saying it was any of them but a bit of a coincidence

Original poster
LolaMacbeth · 09/04/2024 08:27

Rockschooldropout · 09/04/2024 08:21

Was the gas safety check done within the last 12 months ?

No it has passed the 12 months mark.

OP posts:
hedgehoglurker · 09/04/2024 08:27

Has he exceeded the timelines given by the council for repairs? Have you gone back to them?

Also, is he providing viewers with a key? If so, change the locks. If not, you don't have to let them in.

Rockschooldropout · 09/04/2024 08:21

Was the gas safety check done within the last 12 months ?

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