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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

133 replies

MelamineTeapot · 19/07/2015 22:05

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?

OP posts:
SunnyBaudelaire · 20/07/2015 13:11

Melamine, do not , NO NOT even think of abandoning your home.
Did your email tell them that drilling the locks would be illegal?
I think the problem with some letting agents in towns like Brighton (?) is that they are used to a transient population who have no idea of their rights.
Hang in there, do not be scared., we are all here for you.
Stay strong.

DancingDays · 20/07/2015 13:21

I had my landlady let herself in and sit waiting for me on my sofa after making herself a cup of tea (with my milk and tea bags) unannounced. No reason except she was in the area and wanted to inspect the house (without any warning) It's a horrid feeling having someone thinking it's acceptable to invade your home. It's difficult but keep a clear head, you're are in the right.

Sometimesjustonesecond · 20/07/2015 13:39

You dont have to accept them letting themselves in while you are out. You pay rent and that house is yours until your lease expires. They only have right of entry for emergencies, like a gas leak or something.

I would be a proper stroppy cow and refuse all access until I left

Redglitter · 20/07/2015 14:23

Don't go looking at houses. You have the one you're in til September they can't throw you out. They haven't st any time said that's their intention. All (if you can call it all Confused ) they've said is about the lock.

Have you tried contacting them today. I think I'd be phoning them to.fimd out wtf they're up to.

prettybird · 20/07/2015 16:54

I don't know much about the law with renting, but even I know that you have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property as a tenant.

That means as a minimum that a) you are secure until your current lease runs out and b) that they have to give reasonable notice and reasonable reasons for access.

Without reasonable notice/reason IMHO the agent forcing access by changing the locks and locking you out WOULD be breaking and entering/theft as they would also be depriving you of access to the accommodation you have paid for Hmm

So yes, very definitely call the police. As a minimum, call 101 and ask for advice.

It also sounds like they are trying to harass you out of your accommodation early.

BishopBrennansArse · 20/07/2015 17:07

Yup. The landlord/agent drilling the locks would get exactly the same police response as Bill the Burglar doing the same thing. It's illegal, it's breaking and entering in criminal law and breaking the right to quiet enjoyment in civil law.

I really would say again though that you should make the landlord aware of what his agent is doing in his name. Generally Landlords prefer long standing reliable tenants with minimal void periods.

hibbledibble · 20/07/2015 17:17

I too am confused why they would be behaving like this. You have paid up till September, so you should not have to move out till then. If they do not have keys, and require a set for viewings then there are far easier ways of them approaching you for a copy. They sound like cow boys.

Do not let them bully you out of your home. In your situation I would consider what proactive action I could take, for example pursuing them either in the civil or criminal court for harassment.

Original poster
MelamineTeapot · 20/07/2015 20:24

Updating to say no one turned up to drill the locks today, but I returned home to an email reply from the letting agents saying someone WILL come on Thursday instead. It also says that they will give me a copy of the new keys once they are changed, but that they will also be charging me for this. I am out all day at work on Thursday, so I'm fully expecting to not be able to get into my home that night.

Luckily the house I viewed tonight is available immediately, so I have told them I will take it, though obviously I won't be able to move in before Thursday. Hopefully it won't be too longer after and I'll be able to feel safe again. I know everyone is saying I should stay put and fight it out with them, but I really do not have the mental strength for that. I just want to be left alone to live my life in peace and quiet.

OP posts:
Libitina · 20/07/2015 20:31

Try here for more advice

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16.

There's a lot of knowledgable people there.

hibbledibble · 20/07/2015 20:34

melamine I hope you have replied that you will not pay for them to change the locks, and that their actions are illegal.

They are cowboys and bullies, and you should stand up to them. I understand how stressful this is for you.

Have you asked them why they are changing the locks? I have no idea why this is necessary.

NameChange30 · 20/07/2015 20:39

OP. Don't be rash. Moving out is not going to make this go away. Can you really afford to pay two lots of rent and bills for the next two months? You're basically rewarding them for being assholes by giving them two months rent for nothing! You have paid the rent, you have the right to live there without being harrassed. They cannot change the locks when you're not there, effectively locking you out of your own home, and charge you for the privilege! What they are threatening to do is illegal.
Find your backbone and don't let them bully you. Contact CAB. Contact the landlord. DO NOT sign a contract or pay a deposit for a new place to live.

wowfudge · 20/07/2015 20:42

I'll contact your landlord for you OP. Dear God what are these people playing at?

Redglitter · 20/07/2015 20:43

melamine Don't move out. They're changing the locks they're not evicting you. They're behaving appallingly but you have the law on your side. You've paid until September you have rights til then.

prettybird · 20/07/2015 20:46

Yes - you should be telling them in no uncertain terms that you will NOT be paying for any new keys or for the locks to be changed. YOU have not lost your keys. If they have lost the "spare" keys, that is their problem.

If they are insisting that they need to change the locks, then they should be providing you with a new set of keys as a matter of course, so that you can continue your "quiet enjoyment" of your property.

And also be sure to check that they don't try to take the cost of the new locks out of your deposit Hmm

Even if you do move out this week, the property is still "yours" until September so you've got plenty of time to clean the place after you move out - to make sure that the agents don't have any excuse to make deductions from your deposit. Remember too that if you've been there for 5 years, "fair wear and tear" is allowed, so they can't complain if, say, the carpet is a bit worn.

Ohbollocksandballs · 20/07/2015 20:52

I second fudge, I'll more than happily speak to them for you. Things like this absolutely bloody infuriate me Angry

Original poster
MelamineTeapot · 20/07/2015 20:52

They say that I am incorrect and have been misinformed. Their actions are not illegal nor constitute harassment. They say they want the keys because they are legally entitled to have a set and that if i refuse, it is me who is acting illegally.

Yes I can afford to pay 2 lots of council tax/utility bills for 2 months. remember I was expecting to need to pay 6 months rent up front in September, that sum is over £5000 so I have obviously been budgeting for this and putting away an amount equal to 1 months rent plus a little extra to cover increases and fees each month. By next weekend I will have just over £4k saved so will easily be able to use that for deposit, rent in advance on a new house, plus the 2 lots of bills. i won't need to pay any more rent on this house as I fully paid it all until 12th September, back in March.

OP posts:
Ohbollocksandballs · 20/07/2015 20:55

Wrong, wrong, wrong. Their actions absolutely are illegal and no reputable landlord/agency would ever behave in this way!

rallytog1 · 20/07/2015 20:56

Please please please do not move out before your tenancy expires. You'll still be responsible for all the wear and tear that happens until the official end of your tenancy, and who knows what the agents might do in there to get money out of you if you're not physically in the property to keep it in order.

Second, you do not ever have to allow access to your home unless there is an urgent maintenance issue. Even if your tenancy agreement says you have to allow viewings, you don't. The law overrides any clause like that in your tenancy agreement. You're also allowed to change the locks, as long as you keep the originals and put them back in when you leave. You also have no obligation to do anything to ensure your letting agent has keys - this is the landlord's responsibility.

Third, you've got a legal right to know your landlord's name and address. Exercise it to find out who they are and contact them to let them know what the agency is doing.

Ohbollocksandballs · 20/07/2015 20:56

Out of interest are they/do they claim to be registered with ARLA/NALS etc? Did they ever give you a deposit protection certificate?

rallytog1 · 20/07/2015 20:57

You have not been misinformed. Please do not believe what your agents are telling you. Also keep copies of all correspondence with them.

Bunnyhipsdontliegrl · 20/07/2015 20:58

Asking for a copy of the keys might be legal, threatening you to come and drill the lock (or doing it!!) first thing next morning, are two really different things. Even if you refused to give the keys (which you didn't aparently), they would have to follow the legal way. Not come and break into your house.

Stay strong and don't let them bully you.

WayneRooneysHair · 20/07/2015 20:58

OP you do not need to move, obviously I completely understand it if you wanted to move in September but right now moving would be a very rash thing to be doing. You need to report the landlord ASAP.

diddl · 20/07/2015 21:06

But you aren't refusing.

They have yet to suggest a workable way of doing it.

That they have lost their set of keys is not your problem.

However, if that is the case then surely it is better that the keys are replaced?

But it must be at your convenience and their cost.

GERTI · 20/07/2015 21:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

User100 · 20/07/2015 21:25

OP: They are probably just bluffing to get you to provide keys (which you don't have to do, they should have kept a copy when they rented you the house if they wanted them, but even so it's a horrible position to be in. Email back clearly saying you do not agree to pay to have the locks replaced, and that you will provide a copy of keys at their expense in the post. If/when they try to deduct this and other ridiculuous expenses from deposit refuse and take it up with whichever deposit scheme they have paid the deposit to (assuming they have done so - which is a legal requirement). They are independant and generally very reasonable, if you tell them this story and also provide a copy of the emails, copy of bank statement showing rent paid upfront, and a I would suggest taking photos of the house whenever you leave you will (eventually) get all your deposit back.
As others say I wouldn't move out early, but if you do then when you go to the deposit security scheme I'd try to claim whatever period of rent you didn't use back on the basis that their threats made peaceful enjoyment impossible so you had to move out, that being said I think you'd be very lucky if they found in your favour on that one so if you can manage it then don't move.