To be annoyed with someone letting themselves in to my house?

[TitsalinaBumsquat]

We have rented our house for the last 3 years and never had an incident like this. Yesterday my landlords workman and plumber came round to complete the gas safety certificate. All was well.

Today we have been out for lunch and got home to find the new certificate sitting on the sideboard in the kitchen. This means that someone has been in the house while we were out. Most likely to be the landlords handyman as landlord has MS and doesn’t really get out.very odd seeing as it’s a piece of paper that could be put through the letterbox.

This has really upset my OH as it is an invasion of our privacy. We don’t have anything to hide and are good tenants, the house is always clean and tidy etc. But it just reminds you that it isn’t your house. OH wants to email the landlord to tell him what’s happened and that we aren’t happy about it. Is that unreasonable?

Any landlords out there - how would you respond to this email? Would you be apologetic or would you feel like it’s your property and you can enter when you like?

I don't think I'd apologise, he's taking liberties and that might only encourage him.

@missbattenburg thank you for those tips, never had an issue with a landlord before so not aware of rights and rules etc. So this is really helpful and reassuring

Changing the locks without landlords permission and/or knowledge is also in breach of most tenancy agreements and l would be furious if my tenant did that as lm entitled to have emergency access to my property at all times.
But having said that l have never so much as knocked on the door without contacting my tenant first to check it's ok to call round to drop something off or whatever through the letter box. Let alone let myself or one of my tradesmen go in without firstly checking its ok/ convenient for the tenants.

what a fool he is - you have concrete proof in writing that if he gives you notice it was malicious.

Local authorities are clamping down on this practice. Is he registered with the LA's accreditation scheme? Check and if so get advice from them.

Even if he does give notice it will be long and protacted so don't think you'll be out on your ear soon.

Get an extra lock put on. I wouldn't have workmen coming into my house when I'm not there, too many stories of them going through underwear drawers and nosing around.

Reading the op's posts I can sadly say that as a renter for years I have seen such asshole landlord behaviour myself. I had 1 landlady who udsed to just walk into the house and when I asked her to politely knock she said read the contract-I can walk in when I want I do not have to knock and I will not!

The same landlady went mental [I mean scolded me massively]- for moving the kitchen table about 4 feet so I could watch my laptop on it!! She said ''this is not a party house-how dare you?''! I left soon after.

Another landlord ordered a cleaner and threw out all our stuff! There are more stories but really some landlords are just pure garbage.

I know exactly how you feel. I was renting a property and went on holiday for a week. Before I went I mentioned the toilet had broken to the letting agent. When I was on holiday, I had a missed call. I rang the letting agent and they says the handyman had fixed the toilet. I was livid as no one had told me or even asked. I was concerned doors may not have been locked correctly and I wasn’t there to check. I sent a terse email on my return. Fell on deaf ears and they just said they like to deal promptly. I was glad when I moved out if that property! Those letting agents never made me feel it was my home. Feel for you, I’d make it clear you don’t expect it to happen again and you were shocked that was why the email was strong. If you feel that uncomfortable, I would consider leaving but you may get assurances that make you feel better.

He has to give you two months notice if he chooses to but I don’t think he will as you are good tenants. He is just being defensive.

That's awful. I am a landlady and although I have keys I would never enter without explicitly agreeing it with the tenants. It is their home, not mine. Definitely try and seek some advice - Shelter must have some good fact sheets or something!

Before I met DP I was renting for about 3 years, came home one day to find house full of workmen putting in central heating (2 winters with a portable oil heater) with no prior notice or anything. I had underwear on airer, stuff drying in the airing cupboard. When I asked him his reply was Its emergency work .
He used to pop round for coffee whenever he felt like it, I was too afraid to say anything.
Met DP not long after & only after speaking to him did i think 'Fuck that for a game of soldiers' & soon left. DP is a ll & he insists everything is done in writing, be it email or text. I would email him basically writing down the convo you had with him about how you felt with the way he spoke to your OH iyswim, that way you have your back covered if anything comes of it.

having a child, pets and receiving housing benefit limits our options! Also we don’t have a car so need to be in this area for OHs walk to work.

This changes everything. I strongly doubt you'll find a suitable property rented by a decent landlord because so many landlords refuse to rent to tenants claiming any housing benefit. (Either because it's their own refusal or because it's enforced by the mortgage lender or insurer). Realistically I think unless you can get a council/housing association property your options are your current shit landlord, another equally shit landlord, or homeless.

I’m a landlord & have a set of keys. If access is needed I always check first to see whether the tenant wants to organise access or if they are happy for me to pass the keys to the tradesmen. It’s really inconsiderate of them to assume they can wander in unannounced. YANBU

You have a right to quiet enjoyment: you can change the locks and change them back when you move out.

I'd take advise from a housing charity and email politely and remind him of that- say you were v upset to listen to his shouting st your partner and there must have been a misunderstanding, in the future you will require 24 notice as you are entitled to by law and otherwise you are v happy living there, treat the place well and are happy to continue.

He may serve you notice, that is a risk anywhere, but it's better to stand up to people.