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Original poster

Landlady let herself into my flat while I was in bed

103 replies

BaeHole · 25/05/2016 00:57

Hi just wondering how I should handle this. I was in bed this morning at about 10.30am, having worked until about 4am. I heard the door knock briefly (a few seconds, I was half asleep and ignored), and then someone let themselves into the flat. It was my landlady. I called out from my bed "hello?" and she replied that she had just come to clean the hallway and wanted to get some water from the sink. She said immediately - "Oh are you sleeping?" and I said, "Yes, sorry". She went straight back out. I assume she only let herself in as she assumed I wouldn't be there and it would do no harm filling her bucket up with some water. I am not really angry, but I am uncomfortable with this. I'm aware it's illegal, and also don't like the idea she might just wander into my flat whenever she feels like it, without notice and agreement. I want to say something, and really want it to never happen again, but also want to maintain the friendly rapport that we have and not spoil the good relationship between me, Landlady and Landlord. How do I broach it? WWYD?

OP posts:
glassgarden · 25/05/2016 08:22

Next time do her over with a baseball bat, afterwards you can claim that you thought she was a burglar

Only joking😘

She is out of order, you cant just let yourself in to somone elses gaff 😤

glassgarden · 25/05/2016 08:50

It's your home
Your home is your castle
The LL seems to think you are her guest

AyeAmarok · 25/05/2016 09:19

If they reply saying anything other than they are really sorry and it will never happen again, then you should mention that it left you feeling very frightened and panicked.

I would be, if someone came through my locked front door!

HidingUnderARock · 25/05/2016 12:38

Unless there's a clause written in saying that inspections will take place and the tenant agrees....no rights at all for the LL.

But isn't the agreement to the landlord visiting "at any reasonable time" with 24 hours notice a standard clause in tenancies?

I mean I get that it is there because without it the LL doesn't have that right, but unless your LL actually wrote the agreement from scratch and forgot that standard clause, it would be in there.

I can't imagine going to your new home and going through the contract and crossing that bit out. I would imagine the LL telling you to go find somewhere else to live then.

MrsSparkles · 25/05/2016 12:45

I rented for 10 odd years - now a landlord.

Agree they shouldn't be walking in without notice - I always give at least 24 hours. Most often at least a week. I've never had any bad experiences on either side.

But I'm genuinely curious if you have changed the locks what happens when work needs to be done? I've just had electricians in for a couple of days doing some wiring - they picked up the key and dropped it back to the agent when done. If the locks were changed would you then wait in for the tradespeople - if it was for quotes etc..

MrsSparkles · 25/05/2016 12:46

I rented for 10 odd years - now a landlord.

Agree they shouldn't be walking in without notice - I always give at least 24 hours. Most often at least a week. I've never had any bad experiences on either side.

But I'm genuinely curious if you have changed the locks what happens when work needs to be done? I've just had electricians in for a couple of days doing some wiring - they picked up the key and dropped it back to the agent when done. If the locks were changed would you then wait in for the tradespeople - if it was for quotes etc..

GreenMarkerPen · 25/05/2016 12:53

when we rented and ll/agency had no keys (would have invalidated our contents insurance!) we arranged to be there to let repairpeople in. or arranged to work from home those days. no way would I let strangers into my home without me being there!

BishopBrennansArse · 25/05/2016 13:02

We rent from a HA. They don't have keys as firstly for thousands of properties it's not practical and secondly to quote my housing manager in handover day

"According to the law we have zero right to enter your home without your consent unless we have a court order or there's a fire/flood type emergency. In either case we'd break the door down if necessary."

It's no different for the private sector.

pattysgotastropon · 25/05/2016 13:11

Well said Bishop. I'm shocked that some of landlords seem to think that owning a property overrides the rights of the tenants' rights to live in the property undisturbed (and i've been both a tenant and a landlord at various points in my life).

I'm also surprised at the 'we need a key in case of a leak' comments. Maybe I'm lucky but I'm in my 50s and have never known anyone have a leak which required emergency entry to a property.

JustABigBearAlan · 25/05/2016 13:21

Oh for goodness sake, this talk about changing the locks and calling the police is ridiculous!
I'd have thought that there's a clause in the tenancy agreement saying you can't make alterations to the property, just as they'll be one saying the landlord has to give notice to visit.

Op you sound very sensible. Of course your landlord shouldn't just walk into your house, but as you say you have a good relationship, it makes sense to try to maintain it. I should think she's lucky to have a nice tenant and hopefully she appreciates you.

I hope you get a suitable reply to your text.

RainbowsAndUnicorns5 · 25/05/2016 13:27

Is there no lock on the inside?!?
I lock myself in every time I come in

BishopBrennansArse · 25/05/2016 13:55

Oh I have, patty. Upstairs flat letting torrents of water into downstairs (pipe burst due to tenants being away and left heating off).

Again HA but it makes no difference. Broke door down, made safe and re-secured flat. When tenant returned made arrangements for repair.

ilovesthediff · 25/05/2016 14:07

I think what she did is illegal. I'd call Shelter for advice.

squishee · 25/05/2016 14:42

The LL doesn't have the right to let herself in without your prior permission. If in doubt leave the key in the door on the inside so that her key doesn't work. That said, you shouldn't have to do this.

Near the end of my old lease I walked in my home to find that the LL had not only been in without notice or permission, but also taken off the toilet and taps. Charming.

Original poster
Baehole · 26/05/2016 00:56

Update: about an hour after I sent the first text, a MOUSE appeared in the living room. Unfortunately this isnt a new problem and I have discussed this with them recently. However we thought we had solved it. Sent them another (very polite) text asking if we could arrange a time to speak and see what we can do about it. Thanked them for their help so far with mice problem. 24 hours later and still not heard back. Am actually a bit miffed now as there was recently a problem with rent (they had given me incorrect bank details) and were texting me within hours and stating that they were disappointed I hadn't replied within a matter of hours! Bit cheeky innit?! Dear me lol.

OP posts:
Iknownuffink · 26/05/2016 02:02

LL could have delivered the mice on her unannounced illegal entry to your home.

Hugosmum123 · 26/05/2016 02:29

How about:

Hello (insert name). I just wanted to let you know that my work hours vary from week to week. Can you please give me 24hrs written notice in future of your intention to enter my home. Thank you

Polite, yet to the point.

My parents were private landlords for many years and their only concerns were that rent was paid on time; no animals were tearing the place apart and no damage/decorating had been done.

You should be allowed - and I think it is part of standard tenancy agreements that you are allowed 'peaceful enjoyment' of your own home without interruption. Think they have to give 24hrs written notice of their intention to enter the premises.

No need to get aggressive and it doesn't seem like you want to go down that route any way. Take that stance if it happens again.

Hugosmum123 · 26/05/2016 02:34

Write a letter to your landlord about the mice and reference when you last contacted them about the situation. If there has been more than one occasion then bullet point them.

Text messages are not good enough. Phone calls are not good enough. Always get things in writing!!

Just5minswithDacre · 26/05/2016 02:46

I don't know what's wrong with giving all tenants security of tenure (excepting HMOs). Without it, LLs can basically do what they like anyway.

Being obliged to sell for whatever reason could be one of the exceptions a LL could offer to a judge to seek permission to terminate a tenancy.

Licensing LLs could allow follow-up to check that LLs weren't abusing those exceptions.

YY to whoever said that is worrying that several LLs on this thread don't understand what the law is.

One of the scariest things that ever happened to me involved a LL I had when I was 22 letting himself into my flat "The flat was in darkness, I thought you were out". I would never rent again unless I had security of tenure.

I'll be doing whatever I have to do to make sure my DC can buy early and don't need to rent except at uni. I can't afford hefty deposits for each, so will have to be inventive; Possibly by relocating to a geographical sweet spot where they can live at home while working good jobs but also afford to buy by 25.

HidingUnderARock · 26/05/2016 07:12

Why is someone posting as baehole as if they are the op BaeHole?

HidingUnderARock · 26/05/2016 07:13

argggh Baehole posting as if they are BaeHole

Goingtobeawesome · 26/05/2016 07:22

Probably because they forgot the capital letter Hmm.

BrienneAndTormund · 26/05/2016 07:48

Baehole you can put down mouse traps. They are better than poison anyway and quite effective. You don't need the landlord to sort it necessarily

HidingUnderARock · 26/05/2016 08:05

Probably because they forgot the capital letter Hmm.

Really?
Then why doesn't Baehole's post show highlighted as OP's post, as happens when someone namechanges for a thread and then forgets and posts in their normal name, thus outing themselves?

Goingtobeawesome · 26/05/2016 08:10

If someone name changes on the same thread it does not highlight.

Swipe left for the next trending thread