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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To this this is not on

32 replies

Headdesk · 12/04/2015 12:50

I found out that our landlady lets herself in to our house when we're not in. She claims its to get her post but there's beeb a few times where someone else has been in and she hasn't known and heard her let herself in and wonder around for a bit and then sounds really shocked when someone's let her know that they're home. That's not allowed is it?

OP posts:

Minerves · 12/04/2015 12:51

No not allowed

01818118181 · 12/04/2015 12:51

No, they need to give you at lest 24 hours notice and even then you can say no. Do you rent through an agency?

Nolim · 12/04/2015 12:52

Your lease probable says something about that, have you checked?

Corygal · 12/04/2015 12:53

No it's definitely off limits. Explain that to her - you can complain to the council, I think, too, or ask Shelter for a nasty letter to send her if she doesn't stop.

Original poster

Headdesk · 12/04/2015 12:55

We don't have a copy of our lease and its a private student let. It's getting out of hand, she comes round and complains if we've moved a bit of furniture (not even big furniture, think shoe rack) and she turns up whenever she wants. I work nights and getting a bit sick of waking up to her in our kitchen :/ we're also fairly sure our deposit isn't in the deposit safety scheme.

OP posts:

SurlyCue · 12/04/2015 12:56

She needs to arrange for her mail to be redirected, in the meantime you can leave her mail in an outside shed or something or a box by the front door. She really needs to be told this is unacceptable.

AlternativeTentacles · 12/04/2015 12:57

No - not allowed at all.

Hexiegone · 12/04/2015 12:57

When we were first married we nipped home for a quicky at lunch time. Not only the bloody landlady - she'd brought the gasman with her!

championnibbler · 12/04/2015 12:58

it is in fact, illegal.
the cheeky bint.

Original poster

Headdesk · 12/04/2015 12:58

We're going to talk to her tomorrow but she's quite scary, very bossy and loud, it's like having another mother

OP posts:

DealForTheKids · 12/04/2015 13:02

If you're a student your uni should have a housing department, might be worth talking to them. They should be able to provide support and guidance.

01818118181 · 12/04/2015 13:04

Don't let her bully you. Get the facts across and it probably wouldn't hurt to put it in writing too.

ShadowStone · 12/04/2015 13:14

Definitely not allowed. Possibly illegal?

I think - but check, as I might be wrong - that if there's an emergency situation (like a flood), the landlord is allowed to let themselves in immediately without permission to try and fix the problem - but picking up post in no way is an emergency.

Charlesroi · 12/04/2015 14:15

Absolutely not allowed without your expressed permission. It doesn't matter whether you have a written lease as you clearly have a contract with her (please tell me you pay rent via bank transfer, not cash, as you need a record).
She should have put the deposit in a scheme and you could potentially get 3x that back when you leave if she hasn't. Do you have a signed inventory? If not, she's got no comeback re damage.

You could say that you don't want her letting herself in because it
a) invalidates your contents insurance
b) you are responsible for damage to the flat
c) you'll be happy to forward her post on to her - and put it in writing.

If she doesn't stop then just change the locks (keep the old ones and put them back when you move out - this is important as the locks are her property). If you don't change the locks just leave the key in the door when you are in. And lock away any paperwork and valuables when you are out.

She is allowed in to sort out an emergency and she can request access with reasonable notice. You do not have to agree to 'snooping visits', although I'd let her in every 6-12 months to check you aren't wrecking the place.
You are allowed to be untidy - none of her business.

It sounds to me as if she hasn't got over the idea that this is still her home, rather than her property. It isn't - it's your home and you are entitled to treat it as such.

zipzap · 12/04/2015 14:31

BEfore you mention the deposit to her - find out your rights. Think they have to give you up to 3 times your deposit if they don't put it in the scheme - think of it as compensation for the times she's disturbed you!

Obviously once you know what your rights are, then go chase it up! But it would be really annoying to discover that you'd tipped her hand so to speak just for the sake of waiting a few days to check it all out!

DrankSangriaInThePark · 12/04/2015 14:37

YANBU and should show her your contract confirming what others have said.
I'd let any letting agency/university accommodation office know too.

Fingeronthebutton · 12/04/2015 14:41

How long have you lived there? I ask because I'm wondering why she still has post to that address. It's understandable for a couple weeks but then all post should go to her address. Me, I would be looking at the Land Registry to see who owns the flat.

newbieman1978 · 12/04/2015 14:47

Happened to me years ago, old guy landlord used to like to let himself in and have a nose around. Girlfriend at the time started to notice things out of place in here knicker drawer!
We put everything a certain way on morning and went out to work and low and behold when we got back things were out of place and not ever just by a little bit (knicker draw again)

I had a quiet word and he stopped!! Old perv

GraysAnalogy · 12/04/2015 14:54

Hate this, I get annoyed at ours just turning up for a chat never mind letting themselves in. How you haven't flipped already I don't know

Justusemyname · 12/04/2015 15:02

Why was it funny, newbie?

Original poster

Headdesk · 12/04/2015 15:07

It's a student let so we've lived there since sept. We don't have copies of our contract, she said she'd get one to us but never did. I pay rent via bank transfer. We never got any info about deposits being in the saferry scheme so I assume it's not.

OP posts:

caroldecker · 12/04/2015 15:26

Read this and act on it.

newbieman1978 · 12/04/2015 15:32

It wasn't funny but the way we dealt with it (both myself and my then girlfriend) decided to laugh about it and use it as a dinner party joke rather than get upset and deep about the violation ect.

Icimoi · 12/04/2015 15:35

Push her for a copy of the letting agreement, and keep pushing, and definitely sort out the tenancy deposit situation as quickly as possible. As a matter of law you have a right to quiet enjoyment, i.e. she should not be going in.

jay55 · 12/04/2015 16:19

Is it an Hmo where you all rent a room or a joint tenancy where together you rent the whole place?

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