To think letting agent should not be letting people in our home without permission!

[LetMeTellYou]

Reported a leak to our letting agent (months and months and months ago), they never sorted it despite several responses saying they would get back to me. Eventually I informed the landlord directly by writing to the address on our tenancy agreement and the agents were in touch straight away.

They said they would speak to a contractor, check his availability and then come back to me to arrange a time.

I heard nothing for over a week and the leak was still ongoing so called again to be informed that they had sent someone round nearly a week ago who had replaced a part in the bathroom.

Firstly, the repair clearly hadn't worked but secondly, I'm sure they cannot just hand someone keys to our home without checking first whether it is okay?!

I hate to be one of these 'what if' type people but what if I'd been in the shower or just walking around in my underwear or in bed with DH!

They would not have even told me if I hadn't called back to check what was going on because the leak was still there!

They are completely useless on all accounts to be honest but this has really annoyed me. I feel like I can't relax knowing they'll happily just let people in without my knowledge!

No, not acceptable.
I suggest that you continue to put things in writing.
Be polite but write to them explaining you’re not comfortable with people doing this and you don’t want it to happen again.

I wouldn’t go all out guns blazing as it can be beneficial to maintain a good relationship as long as they understand it is not to be repeated.

I didn't think so! Thanks for confirming.

They are rubbish anyway so I'm not particularly surprised!

I may write a polite (but direct) email then.

I’d be letting your landlord know as well. They’ll not know their agent is shit unless someone tells them.

They've actually broken the terms of the tenancy agreement - which is a lawful document. I'd definitely get in touch with the landlord and see if you couldn't manage it between yourselves. That would save him money too.

oh god, I have had a few letting agents do this. Once I pottered out of the bathroom in just a towel and found that the engineer had let himself in to look at our oven. I don't know which of us was more shocked.
In our previous place, they'd just email on the day saying 'X is coming at Y time, he has a key to let himself in' so I had no ability to consent.

I sent stern emails to both - your contract WILL say that they need 24 hours notice and your permission to enter the property, so check that out as well as your 'right to quiet enjoyment of the property'. I think both thought I was a joyless obstinate hard-arse but ffs. As a tenant it's meant to be your home. You shouldn't feel so intruded upon.

I’d also let your landlord know as they may not know how shit their agents are.

Yes, the landlord gave me their number so will message them I think.

I insist on doing everything with agents by email as had problems before.

I’m a landlord and no that is not acceptable.

You can change the locks provided you put the old ones back when you leave and do no damage. If it’s cylinder locks you can just change the barrels.

Thanks. I have no problem with them coming round for checks or repairs etc... I've never refused. I just like to know when!

If I'm honest, mainly because I want to make sure my dirty laundry isn't on show and all dishes washed etc! Not that I'm particularly scruffy but still.