Landlord entered flat without permission to do work, weren’t even told they had been!

[MovingDDay]

Taken on a new flat, took keys and left stuff there. Went to move in and found there are new pipes laid above the skirting board across the living room. The landlord has illegally entered, done work and not told us they had been in or done work. Where do we stand legally that the landlord has broken in, not allowed peaceful occupation and not told us of work that had been done? We have photos of the day we took the key and the day we moved in, very obvious someone has been in. Also before that asking if someone had been in as the toilet had been used and causing us to feel we were going crazy.

Are they going to let themselves in any time they want and we don’t answer the door? They also used the toilet and didn’t flush it.

In the vast majority of cases the tenancy agreement will prohibit this. It might say no material change to property.

If you do change locks you should ideally ask the landlord first. Also you need to give them a copy of the keys.

All utterly irrelevant here.

Why do people insist on posting when they haven't a clue on the law? So many posts saying 'it's their flat' 'are you sure that's illegal?' honestly, why post at all and confuse the issue.

Yes, your landlord has acted illegally. In the first instance I would call and follow up with an email, find out what happened, were there crossed wires and you were supposed to be notified? Are they apologetic? Can they undertake that this won't happen again? It's not right but I would ascertain their attitude towards this intrusion, and then follow up confirming it won't happen again with an email. In this housing market I would be afraid to piss off the landlord even though it boils my blood when they do whatever they want.

Lots of posts here about the landlords right to entry with 24 hours notice, yes that might be in the contract but they still can't force their way in if you refuse permission. Of course you would most likely be in breach of your lease(so I wouldn't recommend refusing reasonable requests) but they still can't force their way in.

It also doesn't matter that you hadn't fully moved in, you're still the legal tenant once rent and keys exchanged.

I would try to contact shelter/do some research on their website if you're confused after all these posts, you'll get the correct advice there.

eugh missed out a sentence, they can only forcibly enter in an emergency as stated above. Routine repairs/viewings/decoration and whatever else are not an emergencies.

All utterly irrelevant here

My post wasn’t directed to OP @MarkWithaC.

It was clearly a reply to the PP I quoted who advised OP ‘they need your express permission to enter at any time’.

Well they don’t in an emergency. (Presumably this wasn’t one, but this is general advice.)

Also, I wanted to clarify that landlords do need entry for mandatory safety checks - so while they need a tenant’s permission for this, a tenant can’t reasonably deny entry indefinitely.

Landlords absolutely CAN enter a property without permission in an emergency, of course what consitutes an emergency could be up for discussion - "can anyone smell gas?"
While I definitely recommend reminding LL's of their legal obligations and Tenants rights where necessary its best to cooperate with a LL if its reasonable and easy to do so - often while making sure they know that they are doing them a "favour"

Think you have lots of good advice here. First off calm down. If you want a poor relationship with your landlord go in all guns blazing. If not take time to give a considered response.

For heavens sake, when did we stop speaking to people first before resorting to mumsnet etc. speak to LL or Agent, find out what happened first before jumping to litigation or blame. Politely but firmly, set out your future concern re access.

if you want a future relationship with LL or Agent don’t go barging in with accusations or threats or you’ll receive your marching orders and a S21.

This is likely a misunderstanding in access to get last mi Ute work or snagging completed by the time you moved in. The fact you haven’t asked what work was done, and if any more is expected is worrying.

Exactly this. None of us know what happened so email them or pick up the phone and then resolve it from there.

This.

Just ask your landlord what work was done, and emphasize you need notice in the future.

You don't seem to care what work was done or why, you just seem to want to get into an argument with your brand new landlord. For what reason I've no idea.... you've got to work with them for at least 6 - 12 months so what's the point in going in all guns blazing like this?

I'd be well pissed off at pipes being laid above the skirting boards!!

Bullshit.

That wasn’t illegal by any means..

All incorrect

which part?
I can see no issue with anything there

It’s not incorrect @ArminTamzerian.
What do you think is wrong, specifically?