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AIBU?

To think the landlords don't need to be here the entire bank holiday weekend?

31 replies

centralwerk · 21/05/2018 13:44

Have just been informed by our landlords that they will be here from Friday to Monday this weekend doing work on the front and back of the house. It's not for any kind of urgent repairs - they'll probably be painting, gardening etc.

They don't live locally and often come over bank holidays as it's obviously convenient to them. They are retired so technically could come anytime but I think they combine it with seeing family. We've had them here on previous BHs making a right racket. It's going to ruin our "quiet enjoyment" of the property as we can't sit in our (very small) garden if they're here.

AIBU to think they shouldn't impose upon us for the entirety of the BH weekend? Would it be reasonable to say we would prefer it if they didn't come on Monday at least?

OP posts:

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centralwerk · 21/05/2018 17:02

Thanks all.

You've emboldened me and I'm going to say fri and sat are fine but sun and mon are inconvenient.

They've been here so many times over the years doing non essential maintenance. Although it is good to have a landlord who wants to take care of the property it's always without fail over bloody bank holidays. We really wouldn't mind if it was just a random Tuesday or whatever and didn't impact upon us.

OP posts:

confusedlittleone · 21/05/2018 16:45

I'd say no and leave it at that. And keep saying no every time they ask. Painting isn't a job that needs to be done while they place is tenanted they should of got their act together and it and the garden before you moved in

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 21/05/2018 16:23

I do know what you mean.
However, it is just as hard to find decent tenants tbh.
And you do not have to go in 2 months.
Let them serve a Section 21 on you, esp if you are buying.

centralwerk · 21/05/2018 15:41

We are in a vulnerable position though. We've been here a few years so are on a periodic tenancy now (our choice as didn't want to pay fees to renew contracts) but it does mean they could serve us 2 months notice at anytime. There's always that feeling that they could decide it's too much trouble being a landlord, especially as they are not BTL landlords, this is their only rental property and we've constantly felt like they could decide to sell up.

OP posts:

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 21/05/2018 15:14

" It's a fine line as a tenant between knowing and exerting your rights whilst not wanting to piss off your landlord when you know you're in a vulnerable position. "

you see , this is the problem. In fact you are not in a 'vulnerable position' , they are.
This is how my landlord managed to take the complete piss, that fear taht tenants have.

centralwerk · 21/05/2018 14:51

How can this sort of everyday adult interaction be so hard to navigate?

I think if everybody found all everyday interaction easy then AIBU wouldn't exist!

It's a fine line as a tenant between knowing and exerting your rights whilst not wanting to piss off your landlord when you know you're in a vulnerable position.

We're hoping to buy soon so definitely don't want to be negotiating new contracts re gardening and so on.

OP posts:

Hissy · 21/05/2018 14:35

Not a chance I would allow this. (Tenant)

Inform them that they can arrange for the external works during the working week and not on a weekend as you have people staying.

LadyLance · 21/05/2018 14:26

You have the right to quiet enjoyment of your rented property- you don't have to allow landlords access for non-essential repairs.

I'd suggest to the landlords that it also makes more sense for you to maintain the garden as you are living there. Then it can be done at times that suit you (and when the weather is suitable). Do you feel the property needs to be painted?

If this maintenance is essential, or something you want doing, then it makes sense to agree a time with the landlords. Otherwise, I'd simply refuse access for this purpose.

When I've lived in rented properties (for a year or more at a time, often), the landlord has never required access to do maintenance. I wouldn't like the landlord to come regularly to do this kind of work- it would feel like they were checking up on me.

Cartooner · 21/05/2018 14:25

I'm not in the UK but this seems really bizarre. Do they actually sleep in the house to do this? The house you live in? I've never come across anything like that. As a landlord we arrange repairs and upkeep at times the tenants are away/undisturbed and we pay professionals usually unless it's routine stuff.

ikeepaforkinmypurse · 21/05/2018 14:23

The landlord is not unreasonable to ask ,for all they know you could have planned to go away this weekend and it wouldn't be any bother. Someone working from home would find it much more disturbing during the week.

Just say "no" and offer alternative days that are convenient to you.

Not a huge issue!

Pinksta · 21/05/2018 14:18

Absolutely not unreasonable. They are unreasonable. As a landlord myself (and a lawyer) I would never seek to behave in this way. They need to realise it is YOUR home, not theirs.

TomRavenscroft · 21/05/2018 14:16

Just say that it's not convenient and arrange another time with them. How can this sort of everyday adult interaction be so hard to navigate?

This exactly.

missbattenburg · 21/05/2018 14:15

I think to be flexible we will say that Monday isn't convenient.

You are far more reasonable than me. I have rented many places and would never have allowed maintenance to happen over a weekend unless it was an emergency. I have always allowed it during weekdays when I am at work.

Why are they gardening? Surely that's the tenant's responsibility?

Very much depends on the contract.

Furano · 21/05/2018 14:14

"Not this bank holiday i'm afraid, you will need to agree a different mutually convenient date for this non urgent maintenance"

LighthouseSouth · 21/05/2018 14:12

I'm pretty sure you can just say no to this

they can sort it out when it's convenient for you?

Bluelady · 21/05/2018 14:12

Why are they gardening? Surely that's the tenant's responsibility?

HerMajestysSecret · 21/05/2018 14:10

Just say that it's not convenient and arrange another time with them.

How can this sort of everyday adult interaction be so hard to navigate?

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 21/05/2018 14:08

no, say that none of it is convenient.
Then offer them several separate days of your choice.

flufffysockks · 21/05/2018 14:03

While you live there it is not their home.
They own the building and the land but they are paid to have someone else occupy it.
They don't get to turn up fannying about gardening and painting.
If you need a problem sorting, then pick one day that is convenient and tell them it's no good any other day and you don't really want them doing unnecessary jobs.

centralwerk · 21/05/2018 13:54

Thanks everybody. It is to our benefit that they are here at some point as we have an issue they need to look at but being here for 4 days is just taking the piss imo!

I think to be flexible we will say that Monday isn't convenient.

OP posts:

DuchyDuke · 21/05/2018 13:52

Why not request to put in your contract that you will be responsible for gardening, repairs, and painting? I agreed this with one trusted tenant as she has a dd with severe autism who can’t cope with unexpected visitors. It made it easier for me and I dropped the rent by a bit too.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 21/05/2018 13:51

" Have just been informed by our landlords that they will be here from Friday to Monday this weekend doing work on the front and back of the house "

that is not how it works. They ask you, they don't inform you.
YOu have a right to 'quiet enjoyment' of the property. Therefore they come at a time that suits you. Not the bank holiday weekend.

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Trinity66 · 21/05/2018 13:51

That's really unreasonable of them

HarrietKettleWasHere · 21/05/2018 13:50

I wouldn't even provide them with a reason like BBQ's etc. They only need to understand that it's a 'no'.

Shoutylady · 21/05/2018 13:49

Say no. You have a right to quiet enjoyment of the property. Maybe allow one day but not the whole weekend.

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