To this this is not on

[Headdesk]

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?

It's definitley not on, it's a total invasion of privacy and it just makes you feel so uncomfortable.
When DH and I first moved in together we rented a small cottage from a lady going to study in London for a few years.

After several months of living there, we felt as though we were going crazy as our things were being moved/disturbed, think piles of post or shopping bags etc. Turns out she left a key with the neighbour over the road and she was going into the house when we're out to 'check things' for landlady! We didn't stay our full tenancy!

Do you individually rent rooms or do you rent the whole house? If it's the former, then she can let herself into the common areas whenever she wants for whatever reason but can't let herself into your bedroom without giving 24 hours' notice (in writing).

The post thing is ringing alarm bells with me, makes me wonder if she has told the mortgage company the property is let.

You need a copy of that AST ASAP.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's illegal for a deposit to not be protected in a tenancy deposit protection scheme now. She could be taken to court if she hasn't done it.
With regards to letting herself in - I don't think she can do that without 24 hours notice unless it's an emergency. Every tenancy agreement I've ever signed has said that and I think it's pretty much standard. The fact none of you have copies of a tenancy agreement I think is also illegal.
Ring the CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau) they can tell you exactly what to do and whether she is breaking the law.
What she's doing sounds really really wrong to me though, never had a landlord that does that.

It now sounds well dodgy. As others have said, push her for your contract and ask her where the deposit is being held.
If she doesn't comply, you know she's a scammer.

Hi OP!

Everything she is doing (and not doing) is illegal. First things first:

Change your locks (keep the existing ones safe though as a PP correctly pointed out that they are her property). You can buy locks for a few pounds from DIY shops like Wickes and B&Q. There are tons of YouTube vids on how to change them. We did ours when we moved in here and it took minutes to swap them (house is owned, but previous owner rented out for years, and supposedly to some bad crowds - plus we were only given one key on completion).

After changing the locks you should contact her (keep a record such as proof of postage - signed for ideally! Email or text message if you don't have another address for her) and state that you expect within 5 working days:

1. A signed copy of the contract (in future, keep a copy of what you sign)
2. Proof of your deposits being protected. Link to info: Here

Tell her that if you do not receive the above in the time frame given, you will be taking her to court. If it turns out she has not protected your deposit, you can sue her for 3 times the amount.

You should be able to get support from the housing department at your uni, as well as Shelter and the CAB.

I personally would try to find out where she holds her mortgage, and send them a little anonymous letter stating you believe that the mortgage for that property address is probably not the correct type of mortgage.

You see, I have no time whatsoever for rogue landlords. Exterminate the bastards.

Definitely not on. I've had a few landlords think this was okay too. It's not, you do have a right to privacy and landlords should not be letting themselves in short of an emergency.