Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be absolutely fuming that the previous owner just walked into my house?!

51 replies

splodgybloom · 19/12/2013 13:00

That's it really. I'm shaking with anger/shock right now. We moved in last week after spending a little while decorating. She has previously opened the front door and shouted hello up the stairs. I was a little surprised, but not too concerned since we weren't living there and were using loud tools upstairs so couldn't hear her knocking. She only stuck her head around the door that time and had come to collect her post. I'm guessing that she knocked the door again today but I didn't hear it. I was sitting in the living room when the door kind of moved in the frame. I didn't know why it happened, so got up to investigate and saw her walking off up the drive. I was so shocked that I didn't run out and ask what the hell she thought she was doing. I'm guessing that she actually opened the front door and came into the hall rather than just opening the porch door, since the living room door wouldn't have moved if only the porch had been opened. I have no idea why she thinks this is ok and don't really know what to do about it. I have no way of contacting her but know that she lives nearby. I'm worried that this may have happened before but I've only just noticed it. What on earth do I do in this sitaution? Is it enough to just start keeping the door locked (porch- we had a new lock fitted onto that dor and i don't trust that she no longer has a front door key after this) or would you do more? I'm so shocked and angry right now!

OP posts:
YoungBritishPissArtist · 19/12/2013 13:01

YANBU

I would always change the locks when I buy a new house.

comedycentral · 19/12/2013 13:02

Did you buy from her or rent from a landlord?

Mabelface · 19/12/2013 13:02

Keep the door locked and next time she comes tell her in no uncertain terms that she can't just walk into your house when she feels like it.

struggling100 · 19/12/2013 13:04

Oh. My. God. I think I would have a heart attack!

DEFINITELY change the locks! It will avoid a situation, and ensure that she can never do this again.

YouTheCat · 19/12/2013 13:04

Put a note in with her post and tell her to sort out having her post redirected and that she is not to enter your property again or you'll be seeking legal advice.

Should do the trick.

trikken · 19/12/2013 13:05

Always lock it from now on. She sounds like she has a few problems letting go of the property.

WilsonFrickett · 19/12/2013 13:05

Dear lord that is seriously weird behaviour.

Change the locks (I do this anyway when we move) and keep the door latched/on the yale (which is good practice anyway).

Fucking fruit loop! (her not you)

soverylucky · 19/12/2013 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SettingPlaster · 19/12/2013 13:06

Is she looking for her post? Tell her politely but firmly that she needs to arrange a redirect.

And are you saying that both times she walked through an unlocked front door, or that she used her key to unlock it, because you haven't changed the locks?

DaddyPigsMistress · 19/12/2013 13:06

Change locks and i would contact her warning her that i would call the police if she came into the property uninvited again

Bowlersarm · 19/12/2013 13:08

Walking into someones house uninvited is not acceptable.

Change the locks ASAP. We always do this anyway, as estate agents may still have keys and you can't quite be sure who actually does have them still ie boyfriends/girlfriends/teenagers etc, of previous owners.

Lottiegal · 19/12/2013 13:08

Change the locks right away as this happened to me as the lady we bought from was a bit crazy and let herself in just like this. Be swift about it. After I'd done it, she got her solicitor to write us a letter saying we were withholding some of her possessions which she hadn't taken with her!

TaraLott · 19/12/2013 13:10

The estate agents you bought through and your solicitor will know how to contact her, phone them.

WhenSarahAndStuckUpTheChimney · 19/12/2013 13:10

Did she take any post with her today OP?

Rhianna1980 · 19/12/2013 13:10
  1. Change the locks if you don't trust her.
  2. NEVER EVER EVER leave your door unlocked. I have heard two recent stories of houses being robbed because their door was left unlocked. LOCK LOCK LOCK !
TaraLott · 19/12/2013 13:11

Oh, and change your locks.

TaraLott · 19/12/2013 13:14

Christmas is the worst possible time to be robbed, lock your doors even if you are in, you don't always hear them.
And your windows, even the upstairs ones.
I know a Policeman who, a few years back had to go to a house that had been burgled on Christmas eve, ALL the wrapped presents were gone, kids stuff etc, heart breaking.

MoominsYonisAreScary · 19/12/2013 13:15

Keep the door locked, tell her to have her post redirected as you will be sending it back

WinterWinds · 19/12/2013 13:15

Are the porch door and front door being left unlocked or is it that the porch door is unlocked and she still has a key for your front door?
I would definitely lock both doors from now on , as the lock has been changed on the porch she wont gain entry. Also think about changing the other locks.

Tell her if she doesn't re-direct her post you will write "not known at this address on it and stick it in the post box"
Also tell her that if she enters your property again uninvited you will report her to the police.

MrsSquirrel · 19/12/2013 13:16

YANBU - Yes, doors locked at all times. Also, don't collect the post for her. If any comes, just return to sender.

plainjanine · 19/12/2013 13:17

Even if she has a key, this is still breaking and entering. Change the locks! And do the back door, garage etc... too, if you have them.

CynicalandSmug · 19/12/2013 13:17

YANBU, and please change the locks!

GodRestTEEMerryGenTEEmen · 19/12/2013 13:18

First thing you should do is never leave your house unlocked. That's just common sense.

And change all the locks if you haven't done so.

I thought that was SOP when buying house, unless it's a new build, and even then I might do it as builders might have a key.

ComposHat · 19/12/2013 13:19

Not on at all. Changing a cylinder (yale) lock is easy and cheap takes about 10mins.

ComposHat · 19/12/2013 13:20

Not on at all. Changing a cylinder (yale) lock is easy and cheap takes about 10mins.