Tenant’s ’friend’ locked out

Don't go alone, it could be fine but it's not worth the risk. Your safety is paramount.

The rest of this will sound harsh but here goes.

You may not want to go but this is exactly why you should look into an agency. If you don't have one, this is the type of inconvenient thing you have to do. When I did rent our fuse for the house blew as the landlord had a dodgy tradesman fit a dodgy shower. I had a few days old baby and was struggling to BF. I called in a panic asking if he could send someone. He said he was out for the day so couldn't. I said no problem, I'll call for you and get quotes etc. he said only if I agreed to pay as they weren't authorised workmen. Luckily western power sorted it and I'm not saying you're like that but being busy is not a luxury you should be afforded as a landlord that hasn't sorted an alternative.

The tenant is going to have to come back and deal with this. The lack of a key is down to him. The care of his pets is also down to him. If things have gone wrong, as they have, then it's his responsibility to inconvenience himself to put that right, not expect everyone else to do so instead.

As much as it a pain, I would make the effort to go to the property and see what is going on and try to avoid the locks being changed. If the 'cousin' is around, I would ask for his ID and take a copy. Not sure i would let him stay.

100% would agree with you BUT the OP has spoken with the tenant twice now who has confirmed this person is with them. I'd do a video call with the tenant before allowing access to fully confirm but in this case, with all the information provided, I'd allow it.

I also like PPs idea of handing the pets over and saying deal with it and locking the door behind them.

@ExceededUsefulEconomicLife Because the OP doesn't know him and the tenant's away. Would you let a random into your rental property? I wouldn't, not to be awkward but it could cause further issues like a breach of tenancy, invalidate insurance or if anything goes wrong it'll be OP's fault because she let him in willingly. It could have happened even if an agency was involved and that's not the point. It's not about hassle, it's about the welfare of pets, or potentially pets being there who are innocent in all this and their welfare is the priority now. It's the tenant's mess to deal with. The OP can sort the issues out with the tenant when he returns.

@Catcherintherice are you a member of a professional landlords organisation ? If so I would contact them today and ask for legal advice .

I would ask their locations then go and move the pets to by the front door, then let the "cousin" remove the pets to wherever they're staying.

I’m so sorry you’re having this stress op. We rented for years and were never any trouble. Our landlords were always sorry to see us go when we moved out the area (work related reasons) each time. There are many decent tenants out there and it gives people a bad name when you get chancers like this.

That's to @allaloneandlost

It is to me. She's choosing not to authorise this person. It's not ideal and shouldn't have happened but perhaps if there was an agency in charge this wouldn't have happened. Letting an animal charity in really is just causing the tenant the most hassle possible for no reason.

Reptiles may not need feeding daily, but may do. They will need water changing, humidity checking etc.
Rodents shouldn't be food for reptiles as you have to feed dead mamals not live ones. (Can feed live insects though).

It's not about being difficult or teaching the tenant a lesson. The OP cannot leave an unauthorised random into the property and it's not for her to look after them. The pets, again if they do actually exist but for their sake have to work on the assumption that there are they have to be cared for. It's up to the tenant to return or they're removed for their own welfare.

The first part is obvious. They were trying to gain access because OP reasonably wouldn't go!

So you'd just give this guys pets away? Why? No other reason than to be difficult or teach him a lesson.

Did the tenant explain why two men were trying to break in last night?

I'd ask an animal welfare charity to attend with you and take the pets away. Tell the tenant you intend to end his lease for breaching the terms. Thank the neighbour for keeping you updated.

I agree @LIZS it could be a further ruse to let this pet sitter or whatever he is gain access without costing them anything, but he can't because he's not the tenant and could be anybody. Yes he might be living there and they might be his pets rather than the tenants or they might not exist.

I agree it's a nuisance but I'd go around to find out if there are pets and then call or message the tenant insisting he return to sort this out or you'll call the RSPCA and have them removed for their own welfare.

Speaking as someone who, until very recently, was a tenant for 16 years, I can't imagine it ever crossing my mind to contact my landlord/letting agents to let me in. And certainly not on Boxing Day!

I'd have called a locksmith and cursed my own stupidity.

Going against the grain here. The situation is what it is. You have verified confirmation this isn't a thief and there are pets at stake. Let him in so they are safe and then when he is back evict him.

There's no point sticking to the rules for difficulties sake at this time. The result is the same, he will be evicted but you know your house is safe and animals aren't dying needlessly. I don't rent but I have people staying at my house to look after my dog. If he does have a tenant to help him pay rent, it isn't the end of the world for a few days longer. Until this, you thought he was a good enough tenant so he isn't causing hassle.

I agree as I understand he's pet sitting and that makes sense but then he'd have to just return home having locked himself out and let the tenant know. There was no mention of any of this last night when surely the pets having now been alone since last night, he'd be concerned about their welfare. Why mention it now? There's something not quite right here and you don't know this friend, cousin or whatever he is. The priority now is the pets.

I guess it is an attempt to up the urgency of "cousin" gaining access. I doubt RSPCA will force access and may not be overly concerned about cruelty. I wonder if pets actually belong to said "cousin" and he lives there too He may simply have lost the keys and locked himself out.

OP give notice that you intend to access but don't specify when ( otherwise he may wait for you) and do so at your convenience. The animals will be ok for a few days but take advice.

A ballache I know , but given it’s such a mess I’d probably go to your property and see what’s going on. If anything, for the sake of the animals, not fair on them either.
Id want to know what pets exactly and verify who this guy is. And get him to prove some form of Identity. I’d also want to k ow how long he’s staying for and what his actual living arrangements are.

Sorry OP- I think you really should go. BUT I’d absolutely want the tenant to compensate me for the time , fuel and inconvenience caused.

If the pets even exist. Which I doubt.

I agree with contacting the RSPCA regarding the abandoned pets. Get them to rescue the animals and don't give access to the unauthorised person who isn't actually your tenant.

I agree as I understand he's pet sitting and that makes sense but then he'd have to just return home having locked himself out and let the tenant know. There was no mention of any of this last night when surely the pets having now been alone since last night, he'd be concerned about their welfare. Why mention it now? There's something not quite right here and you don't know this friend, cousin or whatever he is. The priority now is the pets.

You need to check what is in the tenancy agreement. You might not be happy about him having pets but does the tenancy agreement prevent him from having pets? Does the agreement prevent him having overnight guests?

Unless the rodents are being fed to the reptiles... 🙄