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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
ThumbWitchesAbroad · 22/07/2015 03:30

I admit the only thing that is concerning me with your decision to move is your reference situation. Surely your new letting agents/ landlords will try to get references, and if they're getting them from your current agents, then that's going to be a bit tricky, isn't it?

Atenco · 22/07/2015 06:18

It would be wonderful if you defended yourself against this, OP, if only for all the other people these bastards will treat like this. But I understand your reluctance. I do think it would be worth checking if you have a case to claim the rents that you have paid in advance back.

bimandbam · 22/07/2015 07:06

You can check on the land registry who actually owns the property. There are complicated rules about what should appear on your tenancy agreement. One of which is that the ll name should appear with a c/o address.

Also when the letting agents changed you should have been given another letter stating contact details for the new agent and also what has happened to your deposit.

I worked in the sector for a few years and know a reputable ll who went to prison for 2 years for far less than this!

Stand your ground.

BerylStreep · 22/07/2015 08:44

Do you have your own house contents insurance which includes legal cover?

bestguess23 · 22/07/2015 16:18

I also meant to say before that your deposit shod have been reprotected when you moved on to a new rolling tenancy. Check that is definitely was as if not you can claim for 3x it through the small claims court. It would help to cover the extra rent you will be forking out.

MargolottaOfUberwold · 24/07/2015 09:32

I hope you are ok xx

Chipshopninja · 24/07/2015 09:52

Just caught up on this thread!
Are you ok OP?

What happened yesterday??!

SideOrderofChips · 24/07/2015 09:54

I can see why you want to move out asap, i would probably be the same. its not just you its your kids as well.

I hope you are ok, and that they didn't come around yesterday!

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