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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Renting issue.

31 replies

pinksugarmouse · 20/06/2016 14:27

Ok, I want to know if I'm being unreasonable before I contact the estate agent.

We have a landlord, he owns all the houses on our row. We appear to be the only family and the rest are all sharers. We handed in our notice a while ago due to change of finances meaning the house was over our new budget - landlord very kindly lowered the rent to accommodate our new budget.

However, I can't just have a lazy day with the little ones as he turns up all the time and opens the door and lets himself in to check lightbulbs, talk about him painting the railings, wanting to do a boiler service. Never any notice.

I feel like I can't relax as I'm always waiting for him to turn up, and you know how it is you feel like everything has to be like a show house for landlords and I've got 3 under 3 and I really really need to be able to have the occasional day where I can nap when they nap but I just have to sit in the house on edge, I can't even have a quick shower incase he turns up. It's been 6 times in the past 8 days for various things he wants to do around the house and outside....

OP posts:
dowhatnow · 20/06/2016 14:31

YANBU. This is unacceptable.

ReginaBlitz · 20/06/2016 14:32

He isn't allowed to turn up without giving notice. You will have to tell him. Otherwise just leave your key on the inside of the door.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 20/06/2016 14:32

YANBU that sounds like possibly misplaced kindness of a sort but is still not appropriate for a landlord. Bad enough to turn up unannounced but to just let themselves in is beyond the pale! That would be bad enough from family let alone a landlord!

Do you have a formal tenancy agreement? If so that would often/usually state what notice you should get for any visits.

If not you can be as direct as you want with the estate agents, from gentle (it would be really useful to have notice so my DC are not disturbed / I can plan to be free when needed) to a bit more brutal (no-one should be turning up and letting themselves into our house without our express permission as its against tenants rights).

ReginaBlitz · 20/06/2016 14:33

Ahh sorry tell the estate agent, iM sure it's them that should be the go between anywAy.

Original poster
pinksugarmouse · 20/06/2016 14:33

I wanted to say to him about it but I thought seeing as he's done us such a favour by loweing the rent I don't have a leg to stand on. Feel in debt to him.

OP posts:
Original poster
pinksugarmouse · 20/06/2016 14:34

I've got a lease which does state we are entitled to peaceful enjoyment of the property, instant access for emergencies and 24 hours notice for anything else.

He saw me in my nightie yesterday morning, I couldn't even speak to him properly I was shaking with embarrassment.

OP posts:
carefreeeee · 20/06/2016 14:43

It's nice that he lowered the rent but that doesn't change the fact that he should give you 24 hours notice before coming round. Also he should knock not just let himself in. And visiting 6 times in 8 days is excessive for 'quiet enjoyment' unless he is actually doing something. It sounds a bit odd - hasn't he anything better to be doing than checking your light bulbs?

Could you politely say that you find it a bit awkward that he turns up when you aren't dressed and would he mind letting you know the day before if he wants to come round?

ThisisMajorTomtoGroundControl · 20/06/2016 14:46

I had one of those landlords and he wasn't doing it out of kindness. Get advice from your tenancy relations team at the local council for advice if you feel you can't bring this up yourself.

Mouikey · 20/06/2016 14:47

Is he also visiting when you're not there? I think he is being very silly and opening himself up to all sorts of problems. Contact the estate agents ASAP and explain what has been going on and that you havent had any notice.

dowhatnow · 20/06/2016 14:52

I think he may think you owe him after his kindness to you. If it has only just started after he has lowered the rent, then I doubt his intentions are honourable. You do not owe him. It was his choice to lower the rent.

wowfudge · 20/06/2016 14:56

It would have cost him a lot more to find a new tenant than it has done to lower the rent, believe me. Only in an emergency or with your express permission can he let himself in. Are you on your own? You don't owe him anything. He made a business decision to agree to lower your rent. End of.

specialsubject · 20/06/2016 14:58

obviously against the rules. Go read the how to rent guide on gov.uk.

you can change the locks, as long as you change them back when you leave and make good any damage.

write (yes write, not fart around with email or texts) reminding him politely of his legal responsibilities and what is written in the tenancy agreement regarding access. The former override the latter.

your rights apply whatever rent you pay.

amicissimma · 20/06/2016 15:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 20/06/2016 15:13

OP you don't owe him anything. He won't have decided to lower the rent out of the kindness of his heart, it will be because you are a good reliable tenant and it would cost him more in the long run to have the property empty / have to pay to check out new tenants.

Whilst you are paying rent (amount regardless) you are a tenant and have rights to enjoy your property - it is your home.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 20/06/2016 15:17

We lowered the rent for our tenants because they were struggling financially. It was a business decision on our part because they were good tenants and the loss of rent was outweighed by the potential costs of finding new tenants, dealing a void period etc.

You don't owe him anything, he had a free choice whether or not he lowered the rent.

He still has to give you contractual notice and can't just pop in.

DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 20/06/2016 16:33

Another vote for change the locks.

iknowimcoming · 20/06/2016 17:28

Omg this is awful op! Is there any way you can lock the doors from the inside that means he can't get in - deadbolts perhaps or just leave the key in all the time? You need to be firm with him and at times if he turns up (like when you weren't dressed) you need to say it's not convenient now please arrange a time in advance to come. He shouldn't be looking at lightbulbs or popping round to chat about future jobs whenever he feels like it! The boiler needs servicing once a year and he probably can do quarterly inspections but these should all be arranged at a time to suit you in advance. He sounds like his interests are not entirely in the property to me - be careful op! Do you have a partner?

RenterNomad · 20/06/2016 17:44

Ugh. No, he doesn't have the right to do this. You have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the home which you pay for. If he accepts your rent, then it is your home.

If he's always done this sort of thing, remind him coldly, through the estate agents (are they managing?) that legal notice is required for visits (not that you require legal notice; it is the law).

If he's only started doing this since he reduced the rent, I'd protest his no-notice visits in the first instance (citing violation of your right to "quiet enjoyment") but also look for another place to live. It sounds uncomfortably like he has a misplaced sense of entitlement, and that is just awful to live with. Sorry that's not good news, but neither is having a sleaze of a LL with the keys to your house, who's not even mortified by seeing you in your nightie (WTAF)! Confused

44PumpLane · 20/06/2016 18:40

I'm pretty sure that without serving you the proper notice of entry it's actually illegal for him to enter the property.

Tell the estate agent to have a word and in the meantime get yourself an internal security chain and leave the key in the lock on the inside if possible.

If not then you can buy doorstops for travel that mean people can't get into your hotel room door which may be useful to Jimmy behind the door when you're in.

Pearlman · 20/06/2016 19:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
pinksugarmouse · 20/06/2016 19:52

I do have a partner yes.

He's friendly and kind never rude, calls me babe and is genuinely nice but I just feel so on edge like we'll get evicted if it's not spotless.

OP posts:
MillionToOneChances · 20/06/2016 20:49

Do you have the type of lock where you can just leave a key in the back of the lock? Otherwise I have always changed the cylinder as soon as I've moved into a new flat. He has no right to let himself in on a whim.

specialsubject · 20/06/2016 20:54

you won't get evicted if it isn't spotless.

take charge. Write that letter. If you want to stay, negotiate a fixed term tenancy.

McCunty · 20/06/2016 20:58

That's not on, you need to say something.
He calls you babe Hmm

maggiethemagpie · 20/06/2016 21:04

Can't you write to him, a brief businesslike letter requesting clarification of the notice rule?