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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I know there are a million tenancy threads, but does this sound fishy to you?

40 replies

LRDtheFeministDragon · 14/08/2012 15:39

I live in a block of flats. A man and a woman just came and knocked, and when I answered he said, 'hello, can I come and look at where you keep your recycling please?'

So, funnily enough, I stammered a bit and said I was sorry but no, why would he ask that? And he turned to the woman and said 'well, they're all council flats here?', and she said yes. So he asked again.

Is it really true if you live in a council flat someone could turn up with no notice and ask to look at your recycling?! I thought that was really rude.

My block is one of those where some have been sold off from the council, so I said we rent privately and I wasn't going to let him in, but he was quite shirty and rude and he's been knocking on my door after I shut it.

Is it a scam, do you think, or do people really do this?! Confused

OP posts:
BlackberryIce · 14/08/2012 15:41

Did he have an official badge? Phone the council and ask, they should inform you

OldLadyKnowsNothing · 14/08/2012 15:41

What grounds did he have? Did he have official ID? Sounds odd...

Moominsarescary · 14/08/2012 15:42

I have no idea, it sounds really odd. Could you phone the council and ask them?

EnglishGirlApproximately · 14/08/2012 15:42

Sounds dodgy to me. Surely if the council had contracted someone to look into recycling facilities they would say something like "Hi I'm from xxxx, this is my ID. We've been asked to do xxxxx project by the council"

I definitely wouldn't have let them in. Call the council and see if they know anything.

TheHeirOfSlytherin · 14/08/2012 15:43

The quiet enjoyment rules still apply to council flats as far as I am aware.

TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 14/08/2012 15:43
Confused

Surely a scam - if he came from the council he would have had official ID bobbins with him and you would have got a letter in advance. ... I'm not HA but the last time a council employee was sent over to my house, the person on the phone, unprompted, gave me a detailed description of both him and his van for security purposes!

Original poster
LRDtheFeministDragon · 14/08/2012 15:43

blackberry - not that I could see, he certainly didn't try to show me one, and I was quite happy to refuse entry anyway so I didn't ask.

old - no ID I saw, no.

Maybe it was a scam, but I want to know if anyone else has had similar because if so, I will warn my neighbours. Or could someone actually turn up and expect to be let in if they had council ID?

OP posts:
MousyMouse · 14/08/2012 15:43

sounds odd. they could just check the bins outside if they are concerned about recycling.
did they show you their badge?

Original poster
LRDtheFeministDragon · 14/08/2012 15:44

Cross posted - sounds as if I should definitely call the council!

Thanks all.

OP posts:
TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 14/08/2012 15:44

Have you got any elderly relatives? I hope he's not going to try it on with anyone else Angry

TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 14/08/2012 15:45

*neighbours not relatives

MousyMouse · 14/08/2012 15:45

tv licence guys? they sometimes have funny ideas to gain access (even though they shouldn't.

bobbledunk · 14/08/2012 15:46

They were looking to rob you.

FalseStartered · 14/08/2012 15:46

there was some story locally about bin inspectors rifling through your recycling so they could fine residents for not recycling correctly, but i put that down to rumour and drama merchants...then the yellow and red tickets appeared on peoples bins Shock

give your local council a call? might be a scam but could be genuine

drtachyon · 14/08/2012 15:47

Sounds fishy.

Surely even if it is council flats, you're entitled to reasonable notice about them checking things? And any official people should have ID to show you, and should be happy to wait outside while you call up the council or whatever to check them out.

Moominsarescary · 14/08/2012 15:47

Thinking about it I'd probably phone the non emergency number for the police, I wouldn't usually say that but if it's some sort of scam and they knock on the door of someone elderly or vulnerable who might let them in. Who knows

Original poster
LRDtheFeministDragon · 14/08/2012 15:47

te - I do, my downstairs neighbour is in her 80s and dying of cancer. Sad

I am actually a bit freaked out now. The thing is, you can't get into our flats unless someone opens the door for you, so my neighbour will think the must be legit because someone let them in. I checked and she asleep, but I will see if I can talk to her later.

mousy - I doubt it ... maybe?

OP posts:
KickTheGuru · 14/08/2012 15:49

I would phone the police to be honest...

eurochick · 14/08/2012 15:49

I agree with bobbledunk.

They were just using the recycling line as a way to try to get into your home. Then one would distract you while the other nicked your handbag or valuables.

TeWiDoesTheHulaInHawaii · 14/08/2012 15:50

Yes, I'd be tempted by the non-emergency police too, if you can't get confirmation from the council quickly. As you say now they are in the building, other people might be taken in.

Original poster
LRDtheFeministDragon · 14/08/2012 15:51

Well, I will see if I can find the council number and ask.

Thanks.

OP posts:
TerraNotSoFirma · 14/08/2012 15:52

I am sure the council have to give you notice of a visit like any other landlord, I would phone council and the police about something like this.

Paiviaso · 14/08/2012 15:52

I agree with bobbledunk, they were probably trying to get you to leave your door unlocked and pop round the back with them to the recycling, while their accomplice popped in and robbed you.

KickTheGuru · 14/08/2012 15:53

What gets me is the..."these are all council flats, right?" to the person with him.

If he was from the council, surely he would have sounded a bit more knowledgeable and a bit more sure about what he was doing?

I would get the police around to just make sure they haven't managed to get in to anyone's place.

OwlLady · 14/08/2012 15:53

the council are allowed to look through your recycling but they are allowed to do this with anyone not just council tenants