AIBU to be really angry that my landlord's agent came into my flat without warning, while my son was in bed asleep?

[Solopower]

Well, he did send an email, two days ago, but I didn't see it, as there was something wrong with the server.

According to my son (aged 17) he knocked on the door and called out, but when he got no reply, he just let himself in. Clearly he had come prepared with the keys.

My son, half asleep and thinking that I was in the flat and dealing with it, didn't get up (it was 9.30 am and he was on holiday) until a woman half pushed open his door. When she saw there was someone in the room, she didn't open it fully. She must have told the factor, who then called to my son to get up and get dressed so that they could come into the room. Which my son did, very quickly, and only just before the door opened fully to admit 3 strangers. No one apologised to him.

The agent was there because they were surveying the cracks in the walls, btw.

I am livid!

But aibu?? And what should I do?

Yes, I think we agree. Sorry, I'm probably going on a bit.

MrMiyagi, I think there should be a separate tenancy thread with clearly defined rules for England/ Scottish law. Perhaps Shelter could come and do a live chat?

I think OP should phone/ email Shelter or the CAB to clarify what appears to be an ambiguous area of tenancy law. The landlord's bible suggests at least 48 hours written notice. We need to determine whether electronic mail is acceptable and an acknowledgement of the letter agreeing on a suitable time for both tenant and landlord.

Sorry, I forgot to add that not everyone has internet, systems can crash etc, therefore I think that notice ought to be given in writing.

mr miyagi

I agree, Laudanum! However, I don't want to bother Shelter right now as I think I can deal with this on my own. I could contact them if I got notice to leave, but tbh, I would probably prefer to leave than to enter into a legal wrangle. Plus the landlords all know each other round here, and I would not want to have a problem getting another flat.

Mr M, this thread has been enormously helpful for me. I have followed the links, learnt a lot, felt supported and managed to defuse my anger and think rationally. I think I have decided to write the email ...

The CAB can offer a diagnostic half hour with one of their lawyers.

I would suggest that they write to your ll reminding them of the law. This does not mean that you need to escalate things further legally but boundaries need to be defined.

i wasn't agressive or angry with the tenants directly. i did inform the agents and took the cost of repair to a very lovely solid oak door from the deposit. they didn't ask permission cause they knew what the answer would be.

my current tennant is lovely, and iwould likeher to buy it if she could.

i have been a tennant too and left my flat in a better state than when i arrived. tennancy as i see it is like borrowing something, its not yours and you don't change damage or not allow access to the item.

it fails me to think that remnants think of the property as theirs when its not.

i am defensive about my rented house as this was my home, it took a week of solid cleaning and repairs to get it back to a normal state.

the previous tennants were horrid discusting people.

The reason she saw it as hers boots, is because it is hers!

'i have been a tennant too and left my flat in a better state than when i arrived. tennancy as i see it is like borrowing something, its not yours and you don't change damage or not allow access to the item.'

You can 'see it' like that all you like, but the law sees it differently: tenants do and can not allow access.

Why is this so hard to understand?

Why do some people think they're above the law?

And tenants who carry on like that will find themselves being asked to leave as is the landlord's right under the law.

Toughasoldboots - possession doesn't = ownership

I think the issue is with small time landlords who have lived on the property they now rent out LRD, too attached and not aware of the law.

I have never suggested the law doesn't apply to me, merely that tenants acting in a certain way would be told to leave.

Just out of interest how many tenants on here with their horror stories about landlords have actually taken legal proceedings against them?

Not sure if it would work but as a LL of be more than happy to have to register with the local council, part of the registration could be attending a short course covering the relevant laws.

tough- it's a shame that your personal bitterness about the fact you are renting is coming through on this thread.