to think my landlord should inform me when someone comes into my house?

[Pendu]

I am hopping mad, this is just the latest in a long line of problems with this house.

Running a bath this morning and no hot water. It had been flicked off (it's kept on always) and then I suddenly noticed a radiator had been replaced. This happened twice the other week - I came home and someone was fiddling with my boiler, they don't even tell me , let alone give me the option of being here when workmen are here. I hate it, in sick of it. I locked up carefully so they obviously have the key.!

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

Guest!

That's it. You're a guest. It sucks.

[Oakmaiden]

Just to stick up for landlords - mine is lovely. They aren't all rubbish.

[venusinscorpio]

Any contract clause which says they can enter without notice whenever they like is not binding as the law overrides this.

[Shiningexample]

Leverage existing equity to buy up all the housing stock suitable for first time buyers, pushing up prices in the process and they have you over a barrel
You're locked out of home ownership for life and you go to work to earn money to support your landlord and feather his retirement nest

Cushty innit 😒

[Ifailed]

LadyStarkOfWinterfell
Don't worry, you can't sign-away your rights, the Law trumps anything in a contract. So even if your tenancy agreement says the LL can pop round whenever they want to and have a party; they can't.

[venusinscorpio]

I think the law in question is "unfair terms in consumer contracts".

[Jeremysfavouriteaunt]

It's civil law, it would have to be taken to court to get damages. It doesn't override anything until a judge says so.

[venusinscorpio]

That's the case with everything, though. Like employment law.

[Jeremysfavouriteaunt]

It doesn't have immediate consequences like criminal behaviour actually.

[Shiningexample]

There must be some online place where you can rate your landlord?

[OhStacey]

I'm a landlord and so is my partner. Neither of us would ever dream of it.

It's not my house, it's my tenants house. This behaviour is not acceptable.

[Shiningexample]

This is very common with so called accidental landlords, you're more likely to feel you have automatic rights of access when the property was one you formerly lived in

[venusinscorpio]

Well no, it isn't criminal behaviour. Unless they stole something or assaulted you.

[Jeremysfavouriteaunt]

nearlylegal.co.uk/2010/07/illegal-eviction-and-the-police/

Yes it is, stop spouting off about something you know nothing about. It's illegal to enter without permission.

[venusinscorpio]

It depends how much you're willing to risk but I would think about putting in writing that you're not happy and point out the legal requirements. I imagine that might give them pause for thought.

[venusinscorpio]

It's a legal grey area whether you can enter once you've given notice if you don't hear anything. If a tenant refuses I agree you can't.

[ReallyTired]

The tenant can and should be evicted if they refuse to give reasonable access to an engineer carry out a gas safety check. (Assuming a week's notice in writing). Obviously this is unlikely to happen during the initial AST period as a gas safety certificate is done before the tenancy starts.

After the initial AST period it's fairly easy to evict without giving reason. I would have no hesitation about evicting a tenant who was difficult or changed the locks.

Have you spoken to your landlord about the fact that the agency is letting people into the property without your knowledge? Your landlord may gave no idea that the agency is treating you in this way. A really bad landlord would not put in new radiators or send round an emergency plumber to fix the boiler.

Usually polite dialog can resolve most issues.

[Shiningexample]

I always change locks when renting

[Gwenhwyfar]

I'm not sure changing locks is the answer. I don't want to have to take time off work whenever someone needs access to my flat. I'm happy for them to use the landlord's key as long as I've been given notice.
When I'm in the latch is always up so nobody could surprise me by entering with another key.

[Shiningexample]

The landlord owns you, if you displease him there's a black mark on your credit file courtesy of the letting agent
But if the landlord misbehaves theres not much you can do unless you have the time and money to take him to court

You have to comply or risk not being able to find a place to call home

[LemonShizzleCake]

If ever in any doubt about tenancy laws, call Shelter. It's free, and they exist to help people facing all kinds of housing issues, not just immediate homelessness...their philosophy is to help people before it gets that far! There is also tons of reliable info on their website. If you're having an issue with your landlord, usually if you tell them you've sought advice from Shelter they'll realise that you know your stuff and sort things out pretty quickly! (NB I appreciate that there are a lot of good landlords out there, including people on this thread. My intention isn't to landlord-bash, just to say that if you know your rights/the law, you're more likely to live harmoniously alongside your landlord/tenant! )

[LadyStarkOfWinterfell]

Rent issues don't get put on your credit file

[MackerelOfFact]

You can buy wireless intruder alarms fairly cheaply. I wouldn't think twice about getting one if a landlord was pulling stunts like this.

A really bad landlord would not put in new radiators or send round an emergency plumber to fix the boiler.

What? Landlords aren't doing tenants a favour by maintaining their own property FFS.

[SouperSal]

They do if they get a CCJ against you.

[newmumwithquestions]

Rent doesn't affect credit rating.

Your LL doesn't have the right to enter without your permission except in an emergency.
But you should not change the locks.

OP, have you spoken to your agent or landlord directly? What do you want? Do you just want sufficient notice before coming round or do you want them to arrange any visits with you at a time that's convenient? Tell them what you want them to do, how you want to be contacted etc.