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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the estate agents are out of order here?

33 replies

WeAreEternal · 13/09/2012 11:36

I rent through an estate agents, last week they wrote to me informing me that they would be coming round today at 9.10 for a routine inspection.

I re aranged appointments so that I could be here.
They didn't turn up.
At 9.30 I called the office, but there was no answer.
I called again at 10 but there was still no answer.
By 10.30 I assumed that he wasn't comming so I went out.

I just got home to fine that the man has let himself in and was wandering around upstairs.
I was really cross as the EA know that I don't allow them to let themselves in (I had problems with them in the past). The man said he was doing the inspection organised and that if I didn't like it I should have arranged a more convenient time last week when I got the letter.

AIBU to think if he is not going to turn up on time he doesn't have a right to just let himself in when he does decide to turn up?

OP posts:
tinypumpkin · 13/09/2012 11:38

You are not being unreasonable at all. I would be livid!

MrsRajeshKoothrappali · 13/09/2012 11:39

Write a complaint!

Christ, I'd have assumed it was a dangerous intruder/zombie/monster and gone for him with a machete.

He needs to stop and think.

anice · 13/09/2012 11:42

def not ok. Its invasion of privacy which i think is one of your human rights.

Its stupid for them. What if something has gone missing from your jewelry box? I'd write a strong letter to the landlord c/o their office

StormGlass · 13/09/2012 11:42

YANBU.

He should have turned up at the time stated in the letter. I'd be writing to the estate agents to complain about this, especially given that you've had to rearrange appointments to be available for the time stated in the letter.

I'd be unhappy about an letting agent doing a routine inspection without me there too. I only had them try that once when I was renting - the lady turned up early, when I was still on my way home from work, and let herself in. I got back (30 mins before the appointed time) to find her stood outside the door freaking out because she'd set the burgular alarm off and didn't know the code. Although she was very apologetic when I got cross with her for not waiting till I arrived.

Original poster
WeAreEternal · 13/09/2012 11:43

I am still trying to call the agents. I have been ringing since I got in but there is still no answer.
I am really annoyed, I know the man wouldn't be doing anything untoward, but that's not the point.
The EA made an appointment for 9.10 if their staff can't turn up on time then they should rearrange, not turn up two hours later and just let themselves in.

OP posts:
anice · 13/09/2012 12:05

email or write but don't phone. That way they can't claim you said something you shouldn't or that you didn't say all the things you actually did say.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 13/09/2012 12:10

No, I'd be angry too. I agree you're better to email/write than phone.

SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 13/09/2012 12:27

Id be down the office like a shot! Did you specify with them when you sighed with them about not letting themselves in? If so, they could be in breach of contract maybe? possible grounds to dump them?

Secondsop · 13/09/2012 12:28

They are being outrageous. You WERE happy with the time in the letter, it's them that didn't stick to it! I would be absolutely furious in your position.

MrsRajeshKoothrappali · 13/09/2012 12:32

When you write the email milk it a little...

"I was terrified to come home and find an intruder in my house....."

"I don't feel safe here now..."

You've taken away my right to quiet enjoyment of the property..."

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 13/09/2012 13:57

YANBU - I would put a complaint in writing.

OhSoSimple · 13/09/2012 14:09

Yanbu. Do you know who the landlord is? If you have always been a model tenant I would write to the landlord, inform them that you arranged to be there, that the EA never turned up or answered the phone and when he did come, after letting himself in without permission that he was unprofessional and rude.

If I heard that as a landlord I would take it up with the agent.

KenLeeeeeee · 13/09/2012 14:13

YANBU. Definitely write and complain, taking up all the aforementioned points. I'd be furious if my EA did that.

WhatYouLookingAt · 13/09/2012 14:19

They are breaking the law and the terms of your lease.

TroublesomeEx · 13/09/2012 14:38

No, they are not able to do that.

As others have said, it is against the law and a breach of your tenancy agreement.

The time you agreed to was convenient. They didn't turn up!

TheLazyGirlBlog · 13/09/2012 14:42

That's totally against the law.

Do you live alone or with a partner? Id email the estate agent and go to the Tenants Legal services I know most Estate and Letting Agents are covered by their rules so they will be able to help. Absolute gross invasion of privacy, I'd have called the Police.

MissPerception · 13/09/2012 14:44

That is outrageous and I would be livid. If you can afford it, go to a solicitor and get a letters written to the agents telling them not to enter your home without you being present.

If that is too costly (5o quid max) write a letter to them telling them the same and forbidding them to enter (except in emergency circumstances)

NoWayNoHow · 13/09/2012 14:45

As I've always been taugh -put everything in writing.

  • they advised of the time for the inspection
  • you rearranged appointments in order to be there
  • they didn't arrive at the allotted time and we're not connectable by phone
  • you arrived home 2 hours later to what you thought was an intruder in your house, later discovered to be an agent
  • the agent then attempted to shift responsibility onto you
  • it is illegal to enter the property without prior consent, and you gave no consent for entry at that time

Don't hold back, they're totally in the wrong.

SkippyYourFriendEverTrue · 13/09/2012 15:04

I would have tried to ensure they couldn't enter in those circumstances. Maybe going out the back door and bolting the front or something like that.

Obv. too late now, but it doesn't surprise me at all.

eurochick · 13/09/2012 15:34

Yes, definitely complain, in writing. This is unacceptable.

CleoSmackYa · 13/09/2012 15:39

Complain as others have said via letter or phone. You'll need proof as Estate Agents are a law unto themself cunts that they are

CleoSmackYa · 13/09/2012 15:39

themselves?

BuggerLumpsAnnoyed · 13/09/2012 15:41

I saw the title of your thread an knew YANBU. I don't like to generalise, but they usually are out of order. The I read your OP and YADNBU. I'd go mental.

nilbyname · 13/09/2012 15:44

Write to head office. Write to the branch. Write to the MD. Name and shame them. Twitter their misdemeanour.

Original poster
WeAreEternal · 13/09/2012 15:47

Thanks for all of the support and advice.

I couldn't get the EA on the phone so I went down to the office, they appologised and said they were having 'technical issues' with their phones and so were not able to take any calls all morning.
I told her how cross I was that i had reschedueled appointments to be able to wait in for the inspection at 9.10, as thry requested but nobody turned up and since i couldnt get anyone on the phone eventually at 10.30 I gave up waiting as I had an appointment.
I was very shocked to come home an hour later to find the door patio doors unlocked (the only door that they still have a key for, I changed the other locks) and then heard someone upstairs. I was very frightened and on the verge of calling the police when the man came downstairs.
I layed it on very think and made out that I was terrified.

The EA was somewhat apologetic, but said that I should have expected the agent to be slightly late as the times they give are only 'approximate appointments'
I said I could understand 10 or 15 minutes late but 2 hours is unacceptable and since they know that I do not want them to enter the property without my consent or presence they are actually breaking the law doing so.
She accused me of being 'a little over dramatic' and then said that there was no harm done, the routine inspection was fine and I didn't have to worry about making another appointment.

I hate estate agents. :(

I think I might write to the landlords, I don't know them but I have their name and address on my tennancy agreement.
This isn't the first unacceptable thing the EA have done.

OP posts:
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