To call the police if someone tries to drill the lock on my front door?

[MelamineTeapot]

To cut a long story short, this is what my letting agent is threatening to do tomorrow morning. They informed me of this on Thursday evening by email and the only way I could avoid it was by giving them a set of door keys by 5pm Friday, which was impossible due to my working hours and also that I only have 1 set myself!

I've been panicking about it all weekend. I tried to get some advice from the council and Shelter, but all they can tell me is that it is illegal for the letting agent to do this, but no one can suggest what I should do if they keep to their word. I'm scared to be here tomorrow as I'm a single parent with 2 young children, but I'm worried that if I go out, I won't be able to get back in later.

So I don't have to drip feed, I'm not behind on my rent, or breech any other terms of my tenancy which I signed in March. In fact I paid the rent then in advance for the full 6 months up to Sept 12th. Then last month the letting agent contacted me to ask if i wanted to renew it for another 6 months from September. I said yes, but they told me they would only draw up the contract if I paid another 6 months rent (plus they put the rent up by another £100 a month) and a £120 renewal fee within 14 days. I wasn't able to do that so they put the house back on rightmove. Fair enough and I've started looking for somewhere to move to but then out of the blue on Thursday I got the email demanding keys back or they will drill the locks.

I'm really worried about what is going to happen and the only thing i can think to do is phone the police, if someone does start drilling the locks. My address and phone numbers are gold listed, due to abusive XP, so they would come quickly. But is that the right/best thing to do? I don't want to waste police time. AIBU?

Call the police now!

God I'm sick to death of cowboy landlords and letting agents. Good luck

Do you have anyone who could come and sit in your house for you tomorrow? Or could you take any time off work as an emergency?

I've never needed to change the locks as I still have the same set of keys from when I moved in here 5 years ago. I assumed at the time that the letting agents would also have a set for emergencies (it was a different agent up until last year) but maybe they never did? No one has ever asked me to give them a set until Thursday, and that was after they said they were sending someone to drill the locks.

It's quite possible the do want them to show new tenants round, although I would prefer to be here when they do that if possible. They did say someone would be coming to take photos on the 1st July (after I said I couldn't pay to renew at that time) but never asked at that point for any keys. The date they set was 3rd July and i did reply to say I wasn't around that day and could it be rearranged, but never had a reply so assumed it went ahead anyway-until i got that email on Thursday.

Now checking rightmove i see that there is only an external photo, none from inside. I can tell the outside one is from before I even moved here too. Tbh I'm quite relieved in a way as it makes me feel physically ill to think someone has been in my house while I'm out. Plus I really didn't want photos of my belongings on a national website either, especially as it would easily identify our address to XP (he has a restraining order) as most of the furniture is the same as when we lived together.

They're not allowed let themselves in to your home if you don't give them permission. Keep everything in writing and refuse access. If they access the property without your permission they are breaking the law.

Sorry, trying to keep up with all the questions that have been asked. The agents are called Harringtons Lettings. I've never met or spoken to the landlord. From what I remember I think he lives abroad, so it has always been managed through agents. the old agents used to put the landlords name/address on the tenancy agreement, but these ones don't. They just put c/o and their own details.

I'm pretty sure my deposit is protected as i remember getting a letter about just after i moved in. I don't have a receipt for the last lot of rent as it was paid by bank transfer, because they wanted to charge extra for cheque/debit card. It will be on my bank statement though.

I can't take the day off work tomorrow, but I am on short shifts until Wednesday so will only be out of the house for around 4 hours. the email says 'first thing Monday morning though so that should be while I'm at home as I don't start work until 2pm. Packing an overnight bag is a good idea, thanks. I'm just worried that if no one comes in the morning then they may come later while I'm out. And then if they haven't I'll probably worry it will happen on Tuesday or some other day instead. Sorry I'm panicking about this so much. I have Asperger's syndrome so I do over-worry about things a lot.

1. Unless it's in your tenancy agreement, they can't insist you allow them to show people around before you move out.
2. They cannot evict you without a court order. A valid s21 notice must be served, then they get a court order if you don't leave by the due date. The court will set a date for you to leave. If you don't then leave the LL can instruct the bailiffs to evict you. Look at this england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/eviction/eviction_of_private_tenants/eviction_of_assured_shorthold_tenants
3. It is an offence under the Crime Act 1977 for someone to force entry in to a property when someone is inside who does not want them to enter.
4. Harassment by a private landlord is a criminal offence. See this for your rights: england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/eviction/harassment_and_illegal_eviction_by_landlord/harassment_by_a_landlord
5. Illegal eviction is a criminal offence. See this: england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/eviction/harassment_and_illegal_eviction_by_landlord/harassment_by_a_landlord

You should definitely call the police if they come and change the locks. They have no right to enter the property when you're not there save in an emergency. They only want to have a set of keys to be able to show people round. If they want to do that before you've moved out, they need to be nice to you. I think they've rather blown their chance of your cooperation.

Would be worthwhile contacting your landlord to explain what their agent is doing in their name - something for which they themselves have lost the chance of you agreeing to viewings, and for which they themselves may become criminally responsible. Get it all in an email. Invite them to give clear instructions to the letting agent not to break the law. It would give the police someone else to prosecute in the event that they carry through with their threat (the threat itself may well constitute harassment).

You actually have written confirmation that they intend to break the law.
Personally I'd contact the landlord direct and let him know his new agents are bully boys who are breaking the law on quiet enjoyment, intend to break and enter and are trying to profiteer, and that they are likely to lose him a long term reliable tenant.

Call the police, tell the you've had a threat to break and enter tomorrow. Tomorrow get onto your local council tenancy relations department and tell them everything.

How stressful for you! I really think you ought to ring 101 and ask their advice, then send your agent a strongly worded email stating that you've sought legal advice from the council/ shelter and the police. Remind them of the laws they will be breaking if they break into your home. You should do this tonight so somebody picks it up first thing (hopefully before the locksmith gets to your house).

OMG that's awful!! If the landlord lives abroad he probably doesn't knows what's happening. I know a guy who uses an Agency to let out his property and he didn't even know it was empty until he saw pictures on a website advertising it.

They really can't do that, it's your home and you've oaid for it I rent out a flat and wouldn't Dream of doing this, it's disgusting!! It sounds so unreal I would wonder if they are bluffing?

Yes, email them and tell them that they do not have permission to enter your home (there is no emergency) and if they do so they will be breaking and entering. I'd be surprised if a reputable locksmith would do this without some kind of paperwork (e.g an eviction order or request from the police) anyway, as I'd imagine they like to make sure they are covered against possible legal action by the lawful occupier.
Try not to worry too much, it may just be a mistake. They really can't hope to get away with this, which makes me think it may be a shocking cock-up on the agent's part.

Even if a tenancy agreement gives the landlord the right to show potential tenants round, it does not mean that tenants have to allow access at any time. Reasonable access might mean allowing potential tenants one day a week.

This sounds hideous. I'm an expat landlord and if I found out the agency I use in the UK was doing this, I'd join forces with you in taking them down! Based on what you've said, they are acting illegally and you have every right to call the police if they turn up.

6 months in advance is normal. A rent increase after 12 months is not, neither is £120 renewal fee!

6 months in advance is normal? That would be thousands of pounds. Paying a deposit and a month in advance is normal, and I've been renting for 25 years in various places.

A rent increase after 12 months is pretty normal, and I've seem some agencies pass what I consider to be pretty exorbitant renewal fees - I don't believe the cost of printing out the same tenancy agreement with updated dates and mailing it out and getting back a signed copy is really a massive amount of admin compared with what some agencies charge.

I agree with those who say contact the nom-emergency number for advice. Most of my tenancy agreements (possibly all) have said that the agency need a set of keys if the locks are changed for any reason, but I don't reckon any reasonable agent would mind waiting a week or more if you are away or just can't sort it out because of work hours. Drilling locks is hardly the cheapest option for them, either.

Are they a member of ARLA or NAEA?

I just read some reviews about this company. According to them they will be harassing you for a long time and probably will try to keep your deposit.

I would make sure, that I would stay long enough in the house for my deposit to cover my last month's rent. Obviously would leave the place in very good condition and professionally cleaned, so they wouldn't be able to charge more. But that's just me.
And no, YANBU.

Thanks for all the replies. I now have bags packed with all my valubles and passports and a change of clothes etc. I have also sent another email to the letting agents telling them I know it is illegal and saying that I will call the police if they do drill the locks. I have copied this to the person who I spoke to at the council.

I was already going to view another house this week and I've now found a couple more properties so I will arrange to see those too now. I was expecting that I would be moving but thought I had until September. It now feels like I need to rush and move out as soon as possible. That means I'll end up paying rent/council tax/bills for 2 places for a couple of months, but i really don't think I can cope with this level of stress for much longer, so it will be worth it.

Please call the police in advance for advice.
Good luck!

Just to get this clear - you haven't changed the locks? It's just that the LL changed agencies and they don't have a set of the keys?

What a nerve.

You should be making a complaint to the police based on their existing behaviour.

OP hasn't changed the locks...they wants her keys back, so she can no longer access her home, which is illegal as she has a perfect right to stay there.

It's all in the op if you read it.

"I was expecting that I would be moving but thought I had until September. It now feels like I need to rush and move out as soon as possible. That means I'll end up paying rent/council tax/bills for 2 places for a couple of months, but i really don't think I can cope with this level of stress for much longer, so it will be worth it."

OP, you DO have until September! You have a rental contract and you have paid the rent until mid-September. If they harrass you and/or try and force you to move out before the end of the contract, it is illegal.
I understand that it's stressful but please rest assured that the law is on your side. Take your time to find a new place to live.
Please also consider contacting the landlord (if you still have their contact details from previous contracts) to let them know what this new agent is doing.
And don't worry about the deposit, if it was put into a deposit protection scheme by the previous agent you will be able to get it back. You won't need to pay for professional cleaning (a landlord tried to charge us for this once). All you legally have to do is give the place a thorough clean. The law allows for "fair wear and tear" ie it allows for reasonable deterioration in condition of the property. The deposit is only to cover rent arrears (which you won't have given you've paid it all in advance) and serious damage to the property if any.

I have no advice for you OP but it sounds like a stressful situation. Good luck.

I think you should contact the landlord and fill them in on what's going on. I would be very surprised if a landlord would be happy to have a long term good tenant bullied out of the property by a new letting agent. The letting agent are not acting in landlord's best interests.

Woah woah woah!! Please don't move out until your contract runs out. I can't see you will be able to get that money back if you choose to vacate the property.

It sounds to me that they don't have a spare set of keys. They have asked for your keys (one might assume in the off chance you have a spare set or will get keys but from your own). You've declined to give then keys, so they plan to still the lock so they can have their own set and provide you with your own set until your contract ends. Have they actually said they are evicting you or have you assumed this because they will be changing the locks?

*keys cut from your own

It does sound as if they merely want/need(?) a set of keys.

Talk about a sledgehammer to crack a nut!

You don't have to move out, but if you find somewhere else, I could well see why you would want to!

Is be tempted to contact your landlord and explain the situation. Is he aware they've put the rent up? I might be tempted to email him this link in case he doesn't realise the new agency are total fuckwits.

www.whichpad.com/letting-agencies/harrington-lettings/