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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be absolutely fizzing with landlord

41 replies

lemondropcake · 07/10/2016 11:24

For the past couple of days my landlord has said about getting someone to paint the outside of the house. Last night she said they would come today and could I just leave the back gate unbolted for them to come in and out of the garden. No problem.
Today they arrive at 7.30am and ask to come in to plug in machines and such. I said yes but I have to leave for work at 10.30am. They told me they will be there all day.
I texted my landlord and said my house will be open all day and I am not happy about leaving it unattended with complete strangers whilst I'm at work. I texted her hours ago and still haven't had a reply.
I've had to leave my house unattended, the door is literally open ajar for the cables and the workmen will be in and out all day. I do not feel happy about this at all but I am not long in a new job and don't want to phone in sick when the landlord could come round and lock up at the very least.

If I had known they would be in and out the house I would have declined and said someone has to be here. I work Mon - Fri so have very little time to be home but do not want workmen in my home when I am out.

She also texted me last night to say she had been round to cut down some bushes at the back of the house. Also when I was at work, without permission.

OP posts:
BarbLives · 07/10/2016 11:27

Did you leave your house open? I'd go back at lunch time and lock up!

Original poster
lemondropcake · 07/10/2016 11:38

I don't get a break at work as I only do four hours so I'm here until home time. I wont get home until around 3.30 at the earliest. Dp has a fair commute to work and wont be home until 5 and he has the other key. The only person to have another key is the landlord who wont answer her phone. I reckon she has got my texts but just isn't replying so the work gets done.
I've had to leave it unlocked with the workmen in and out as they please. This isn't what I signed up for. If they want to come back and finish it another time it will have to be when I'm home. I'm feeling angry that I've been dragged into all this with basically no choice other than leave my house open or take time off work at very short notice.

OP posts:
BarbLives · 07/10/2016 11:44

You didn't have to leave it unlocked - in future, don't leave your house open with strangers in it!

Original poster
lemondropcake · 07/10/2016 11:52

Other than turn them away I don't know what else I could do and take time off work to be home when they are in. Its left me in an awkward position. I just have to hope they are trustworthy and she eventually comes to lock my door!
Too soft for my own good. Should have just told them tough unless she is willing to come mind the house the whole time, which she wouldn't do.

OP posts:
LadyConstanceDeCoverlet · 07/10/2016 11:54

I hope the landlord is paying for the electricity they use?

Noodoodle · 07/10/2016 11:55

Nooooo, is the LL going to cover any missing items (not saying workmen are thieves but will they leave it unattended when they have lunch?) because if something were to happen and you have insurance you won't be covered surely, as you left it unlocked. I would feign a sudden sickness and go to be honest.

diddl · 07/10/2016 11:55

If it was to paint the outside of the house, it wouldn't occur to me that they might need access to the inside!

NightCzar · 07/10/2016 11:55

It'll be ok. You'll be home soon if you only do 4 hours. If they steal anything you're insured, right? I'm sure they won't.

CantThinkOfAQuirkyName · 07/10/2016 11:57

I don't understand why you're complaining about her cutting the bushes in the garden. Surely that's a favour?

And couldn't have you just plugged the cables in through a window?

Probably in the minority but I think she sounds like an ok landlord-she's trying to make/keep the house nice

londonrach · 07/10/2016 11:59

Nightczar op wont be insured as she left door open so insurance is invalid. Dont worry op im sure it be ok. Can you go back at lunchtime. Op ive be there its horrible. Personally id have said i have to lock up as im out and let ll know. No way would i have left house unlocked with unknown strangers there. No win situation here. Yanbu!!!

specialsubject · 07/10/2016 12:02

YANBU - how very disorganised of the landlord. Work always needs power. If there are no external sockets then this is an obvious 'how will we do this while keeping the house secure?' question.

and access for non-emergency maintenance always needs advance permission. Organising this is one of the things you have to do when you are a landlord. WITHOUT expecting the tenant to take time off work.

myownprivateidaho · 07/10/2016 12:05

Nah, yabu. You completely could have said that you didn't know they'd need to have the house open so they'd have to come back another time. Not your LL's fault. I don't get the problem with her cutting down bushes either.

NeedABanner · 07/10/2016 12:11

I think you should have told them they could work until 10:30 with the power then after that only if they don't need power, especially as they can't lock up behind them. IF that means they have to come back several times & that costs the landlord money she can opt to sit in your house while they're working.

I'm probably too trusting of workmen but I'd have let them stay if they could lock up.

cantthink. It's only a favour if a) the op is responsible for the bushes & b) if it's arranged to suit the OP. It's not a favour to have the landlord turning up anytime they please as if they live there. You can't relax. (I own my house, so no axe to grind).

Cocklodger · 07/10/2016 12:12

When in a similar situation (Although I was the homeowner) I pulled the plug in via the window, with the instruction that they must place the drill in the house (On the window sill) and shut the window from the outside, then opened it again and got their drills out when they got back.it wasn't secure but looked it if you know what I mean, but that relies on people A- not being sneaky shits and seeing the workers do it. B- The tool they're using not being valuable enough for someone to want to break the window for. C- them being trustworthy enough not to enter your home or to follow your instructions. But thats the only way I found it remotely workable. too late for you now of course and YANBU.

Original poster
lemondropcake · 07/10/2016 12:14

the landlord told me they wouldn't need access to the house. I only found out this morning when they asked. I should have turned them away and got them to come back I know. I panicked and thought the landlord would have replied to messages in time but she didn't.
She has now got in touch and she has given them her key to the property to lock up when done. Still not resolved the problem about them been in and out but at least the door will be locked when no one there at all.

OP posts:
BarbLives · 07/10/2016 12:16

Saying no to leaving the house open would have been the more obvious thing to do than taking the day off! They'd have either had to find another why round it or re-schedule with the landlord.

EleanorRigby123 · 07/10/2016 12:31

We are landlords. Any maintenance issues are discussed in advance between the tenants and the agents and a mutually acceptable solution arranged. We would expect tenants to allow access for maintenance in the way that homeowners allow access: you take time off, you arrange for a friend to be in the house or you leave the keys with the workers.
We would never expect the tenant to let workers in without notice unless there was an emergency such as a gas or water leak.
Painting the outside of a property is usually done between tenancies - though obviously if you have been there for years and are not planning on moving you have to be reasonable. But it probably only happens once every 10 years or so. So telling you two days in advance sounds bizarre to me.
You really did not need to agree to this. In your position I would have phoned - not texted and said it was not convenient today.

expatinscotland · 07/10/2016 12:45

'If they steal anything you're insured, right? I'm sure they won't.'

The insurance won't pay out if you left the house open.

thecatneuterer · 07/10/2016 13:06

I've recently had the outside of my house repainted. The painter didn't need access to the inside at all. If I were your LL I would not have foreseen that either. Also if you want an immediate answer call, don't text, also, if I were your LL, I would very likely not have known I had a text.

And cutting bushes at the back of the house. Is that really an invasion of privacy? Surely it's a favour.

So really I think this is just down to the LL not realising they would need access and not having her phone permanently glued to her. Neither of these things are hanging offences.

AmeliaLeopard · 07/10/2016 13:32

Personally, I facilitate access when it is convenient, necessary and with advance notice (thankfully never had an emergency). I am not allowed to take time off in term time. Any maintenance work has to be done either during school holidays or while the estate agents are able to supervise the workers. I have a good LL tho, so they have never expected anything else. They understand what "quiet enjoyment" means.

And randomly wandering in to someone's back garden absolutely is an invasion of privacy. Offering to do it in advance, agreeing a time and doing it would be a favour. Coming home on a random day to find the gardening had been done by someone unexpectedly would definitely affect the quiet enjoyment of the property.

Original poster
lemondropcake · 07/10/2016 13:59

Lesson learnt. They are coming back on Monday, I am also working. So I assume after all this she will supply them with a key as she has now done because of my moaning. I still do not like to leave people I don't know in the house while I'm out but not a fat lot I can do if she wont sit herself until they are finished.
She said she has not been given a time, but I am not going to wait in and I will be locking the doors if I need to go out.
I have been there eight years and no work has been done, apart from what I have done myself so I do expect a bit of work to be carried by now but I hate people coming in and out when I am not there. I feel its invading my privacy and putting my possessions at risk.

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 07/10/2016 14:36

Aside from the fact that there is a real lack of manners and courtesy on the landlords part here , PPs are correct. Your contents insurance will not pay out if any of your property gets damaged or goes missing.

diddl · 07/10/2016 14:38

Am I the only one wondering what kit they are using that needs plugging in?Blush

HelenaDove · 07/10/2016 14:40

Surely landlords and HAs need to stop operating like its still the 1970s and drag themselves into the 21st century Others have to work around a 24 hour society Why do they get to insist on a Monday to Friday work week.

Original poster
lemondropcake · 07/10/2016 14:40

it was some sort of machine like a power wash that sprays paint on to the walls of sort of fashion. I can't be sure!

OP posts: