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Original poster

To think my landlord is well and truly out of order and how do I deal with this?

74 replies

HickDead · 31/10/2016 17:07

We rent a house from an older couple. We've rented from them for 5 years and they are OK but very penny pinching. About 4 years ago the washer broke and whilst they were moving the old one out and plumbing the new one in, they managed to rip the Lino in the kitchen. It was a total trip hazard and when I complained, he stuck it down with tape. We also had a leak (not our fault, the result of his DIY efforts) which went under the Lino and caused a black stain.

I have been asking for new flooring for nearly 4 years now after being quite frankly embarrassed at the state of the place and finally he has decided to tile the kitchen, utility room and downstairs bathroom. We told him we were going on holiday this week and he could have access from Monday to Thursday to redo the floors. We are back on Friday.

On Wednesday last week he contacted DH to say that he was doing the work himself and that wasn't enough time, could we vacate on Saturday instead. We have 3 DC and this is a big ask but arranged to stay with relatives from Saturday afternoon until we fly off on our break tonight. I grabbed enough for the weekend with the intention of returning today to pack our bags.

We returned this morning and could not get in as they had the key in the back of the door. When they eventually answered and we went in it became obvious that they had been staying in the house all weekend (sleeping bags, a bag of clothes and food belonging to them and they had the TV on and we're watching our Sky TV!). They also had their bloody dog with them! Our tenancy agreement expressly states that we are not allowed fucking pets!

They did not ask us permission for any of this. I am so upset, I feel violated, that is our home and all our belongings are there. I can't really express how bloody angry I'm feeling right now. I had a bit of a cry as I just felt really vulnerable and frustrated.

Anyway I want to email them (don't trust myself to ring them) and point out that they have crossed the line and how offended I feel. DH thinks I should stay quiet in case I rock the boat and they gives notice to leave. What do you all think?

OP posts:
AppleMagic · 31/10/2016 18:33

I'm currently a landlord and a tenant and I think this is fucking outrageous. They have zero right to camp out in your home. It doesn't matter how far away they live, they should have paid someone else to do the work or paid for a hotel.

PlumsGalore · 31/10/2016 18:35

Fuck that, I would want a house clean from their dog and a discount for the electricity and TV they used. This is unbelievable.

AppleMagic · 31/10/2016 18:35

In fact, I wouldn't be impressed about being asked to vacate in the first place without some sort of financial compensation but I understand you just really wanted the floor sorted.

Dragongirl10 · 31/10/2016 18:35

I am a LL and this is appalling behavior from them, they are out of order.
I would never enter a tenants flat without a 24 hour request in writing, then only if it is at a convenient time for them. To stay unannounced is probably not legal, l would check that if l were you.

Whilst in principle they have the right to do the works themselves, l would be concerned as to the standard.

There are so many issues here l would leave as soon as your tenancy agreement is up, and get another place with a more proffessional LL.

Tenant have lots of rights, check it out with shelter

FlibbertigibbetArmadillo · 31/10/2016 18:43

It sounds awful and probably illegal. However although revenge evictions are now not allowed they are hard to prove and I worry that if you make a complaint you will end up being served notice. Terrible but true. I suggest seeking advice from a CAB before you do anything

Mummyoflittledragon · 31/10/2016 18:45

I'm a LL. This behaviour is appalling. You really deserve better. Unless you are particularly attached to the house or have a cracking rent deal, I would move. I'd definitely be getting legal advice with a view to them to paying all your bills for the week including sky and refunding the rent in full for the days when you were not at the the property. Find a decent agent. They do cost but you have much better protection.

LIZS · 31/10/2016 18:49

Dreadful behaviour. Speak to Shelter and /or CAB about your rights and for assistance to draft a letter.

napmeistergeneral · 31/10/2016 18:53

Awful. Set it all out in writing. Be calm, cleat, and civil. Reference your tenancy agreement as appropriate. Check the Shelter website for advice. Give a timescale within which you expect a written response. Once received, if unacceptable, set out what you expect as redress: bill payment, etc. You can be firm without being angry. You are absolutely in the right here! Totally unacceptable behaviour.

2kids2dogsnosense · 31/10/2016 18:55

I think they should certainly refund the rent for the week that you were away as THEY were living in the property.

THIS - and I would create hell about the dog (just on principle) say you need all the carpets replacing because your child is allergic.

But like you, I think that the invasion of privacy is disgusting!

It may be their house, but it is YOUR HOME - they have no right to squat there just because it's convenient to them. And why both of them? If BobtheBuilder wants to be handy for the job, why does MrsBob with BobDog need to be there? (Not that it's acceptable for any of them to make themselves at home in your home among your things).

I would be furious, too.

TheProblemOfSusan · 31/10/2016 19:00

The phrase in the law and your contract is the Right to Quiet Enjoyment. That's the bit that means they can't just Swan in when they fancy.

I think the most fucking outrageous thing here is the fact they had a fucking dog in your home. I love dogs, I think they're brilliant, but they're also dirty and smelly and it is completely unacceptable and inappropriate for them to bring it. And to stay over without permission.

I would document the whole thing calmly in an email and say that you do not want this to happen again as it is breaching your right to quiet enjoyment. But talk to CAB first so you don't make a mistake with it and don't sound off on them, you'll look unreasonable if you ever have to take any of this to eg a tribunal to get your deposit back.

Honestly, there should be licence exams to be a landlord because of crap behaviour like this.

Needmoresleep · 31/10/2016 19:08

How elderly?

I am a landlord and agree this behaviour is totally out of order. I would write a clear calm letter saying so - with this sort of letter it is worth having in mind some later dispute so word it in case other's might read it.

Then weigh up how much you want to stay in the house.

My dad bought property as a retirement hobby. Fine for a while, but pretty useless when he got older. He had a strange emotional attachment to them and as he got older became less good at dealing with workmen and keeping on top of maintenance. He also thought in old money so thought charges were extortionate, and was very bad a taking advice. When I finally took over management I found all sorts of problems like a 25 year old boiler and washing machine. Initially needed to keep one property rented so I had a bit of money to play with. However I recognised that and let is very cheaply. Another was let to a long term tenant, again very cheaply and on the basis she organised repairs, taking larger amounts out of the rent.

If that is in anyway similar to your situation, and your rent is cheap enough, I would carefully suggest that you cannot accept a repeat of the incident, and you are concerned that the property is becoming run down over time. (And thus impacting on its value.) How about you taking over responsibility for repairs, and deducting monies from the rent. Larger expenditure, above a set limit, would be cleared in advance. Before switching you would want to go round the property and agree what works are likely to need to be done in the short and medium term.

If they are elderly, they may find the whole property management thing getting too much. They may well be terrified that you might leave, as they would have to do a whole overhaul before getting someone new, and the new person would be an unknown. So using this behaviour might allow for a deal to be struck that puts you both in a good position.

weresquirrel · 31/10/2016 19:13

Report them to HMRC. If they are so penny pinching and don't obey rules easily they are probably not declaring your rental payments either (they have to pay tax)!

<a class="break-all" href="https://online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/TEH_IRF?dept-name=TEH&sub-dept-name=&location=39&origin=www.hmrc.gov.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">online.hmrc.gov.uk/shortforms/form/TEH_IRF?dept-name=TEH&sub-dept-name=&location=39&origin=www.hmrc.gov.uk

SoupDragon · 31/10/2016 19:19

You did say they are elderly

No she didnt.

Manumission · 31/10/2016 19:22

She said 'older'.

I took that to mean retirement age. What's the controversy?

wooooofudge · 31/10/2016 19:23

If you haven't done already, change the lock barrels. Keep the old ones to put back when you move out. You can't trust them now so make sure they don't have the means to gain entry again.

ToastDemon · 31/10/2016 19:24

So what if they are elderly? Shouldn't be trying to do the tiling themselves then should they.
I would be incandescent with rage. I say this as someone who is currently a landlord and a tenant.

Manumission · 31/10/2016 19:27

Elderly people shouldn't tile?! HmmConfused

WTF?

Anyone who is able to tile, can reasonably tile, can't they?

Manumission · 31/10/2016 19:28

LLs shouldn't camp in their tenants' houses with dogs watching Sky, is the pertinent point.

ToastDemon · 31/10/2016 19:28

I meant if people were excusing them staying over due to advanced age or whatever.
My point was if that was toon much for them they should have bloody paid someone.

WankingMonkey · 31/10/2016 19:40

The staying over wouldn't bother me, but I would probably be pissed off about using my electric and gas and such. The dog thing though completely takes the piss. Especially if its in your tenancy agreement that you aren't allowed pets. For all they knew, someone in your family may be allergic to dogs, kids could have asthma etc.

OohMavis · 31/10/2016 19:47

That's fucking outrageous Shock

I have no words!

fiorentina · 31/10/2016 19:55

As a former landlord that is totally out of order. I would calmly email them detailing why you are annoyed, referencing legal tenants rights, they clearly don't think if it as your home, simply as a house you live in. It does depend how much you want to stay there though as your DH is right to be nervous they could give you notice or decide to sell if they decide it's too much hassle.

CotswoldStrife · 31/10/2016 19:55

That is completely unacceptable. I would ask for the carpets to be deep cleaned to get rid of the dog hair, that's what they would expect when you left the property - and a discount for using your electricity to do the work.

Sadly, your DH might be right but I would still make the point and start looking for other properties as well.

Not surprised you are upset, I would be too.

RebootYourEngine · 31/10/2016 20:54

I would be moving out and also making sure that they give me back my full deposit. It wouldnt surprise me if they try and blame a lot of the damages on you.

AntiHop · 31/10/2016 20:57

I'm incensed on your behalf. Totally unacceptable.