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?

In some areas ALL landlords have to be registered with the local council. It's called Selective Licensing.

london, tenants who 'carry on like' what?

Do you mean tenants who know the law, or tenants who repeatedly refuse access?

If the former, you have issues. If the latter, I agree ... but, you know, that's the situation. If a tenant refuses access repeatedly, of course they will find their tenancy isn't renewed.

You have to bear in mind that tenants who do know the law are probably quite capable of working out whether the risk of having their tenancy not renewed is more serious than the consequences of someone entering their home. It's unlikely it often is.

What happens much more often is you refuse once, because it's not convenient. Very few LL I've come across have an issue with this.

And no, I've never had spare money to take legal proceedings. I have however reminded LA/LL of the law and had them back down, which is how I would much prefer to settle things anyway.

Oh dear you really don't get it do you. Mortgage companies may have an interest and charge against properties but they do not own them, perhaps you are the one getting carried away. The fact that you can't tell the difference between ownership and possession speaks volumes. Wondering what legal action you took?

gatorade - yes, I agree about small time LL (although they can be excellent, one of my landladies rented out her former home and she was absolutely lovely about it).

Sorry where have you educated me on property law tough? I am well aware of the law and also well aware of reality, all I have said is what I would do if one of my tenants refused access, which is that I would give them notice. Not sure why this makes you think I am unaware of the law.

Check the land registry tough and see who owns the properties, it's not the mortgage companies name on them.!

LRD - I have been posting about tenants who refuse access

I'm sure they'd be delighted to leave, londonone, if thats your attitude.

raven said
'I am perfectly happy to allow all reasonable access. Please telephone in future or wait for a response to emails, as otherwise I am afraid that I will be unable to provide access to the property.'

I read that as a threat to not allow access in future. That's all.

Londonone I don't think anyone is saying mortgage companies physically own the property, just that they mortgage company have a claim on the property should the mortgage holder default. You are technically correct.

I wouldn't go in all guns blazing as you say you do want to stay there and I think there were issues on both sides.

The LL should have got your permision.

However, as they rang the bell and called out, they were being reasonable in assuming noone was in.

They should not have spoken to your son like they did.

I would write and state that there was obviously a misunderstanding and you don't want this to happen again. You therefore want at least 24 hrs written notice, by post, and for them to wait for your expressed agreement as the law states before entering again.

Tough. what do you mean I quoted it differently, that is a direct quote. We obviously are reading things from different points of view!

Gatorade - tough is the one saying that mortgage company "own" the properties.

Anyway, many rental properties don't have mortgages on them anyway, so the point is moot!

All this bickering isn't helping the OP!!

london, yes, I saw you've been posting about tenants who refuse access, but you seem to feel that tenants simply knowing they can refuse access and should be given proper warning/the option to refuse is somehow unfair?

Maybe I am misreading. It's just you seem to think that a tenant who refused access would be intimidated into backing down because you'd give them notice. I can see both sides of this so I wouldn't comment on it, but I do think you are being a little bit smug about your capacity to intimidate tenants.

I have often said 'no, I can't do that day' and I would feel annoyed if someone gave me notice for that.

I didn't misrepresent her I posted based on what I understood her to have said, your interpretation is different, that's all.

I get the distinct feeling that you're so very bitter about renting and equally bitter about not buying, it must be exhausting for you.