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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be unsure how to proceed with landlord issue.

31 replies

tulippa · 23/07/2019 22:00

We moved into a rented house in April. We really like it here - the house is big with a lovely garden and it's close to a good secondary school for DS (we will be applying in October).

We are, however, having a few issues since the landlord told us some work needed to be done on the outside of the house - this wasn't mentioned to us before we moved in. She is getting her son to do all the work - things like repointing, repainting a fence, taking out shrubs.

On 23rd May the son came round to put equipment and other items in the garage which takes up about a quarter of the space in there. He didn't start any work until early June and we have been having problems like he'll text at 9.30pm to say he'll be coming round at 8am then not turn up and no text to confirm either way, turning up at 8am without telling us, not coming because it's drizzled at 7am.

He will ask DH for constant cups of tea and nag if it isn't made quickly enough (DH works from home and cannot keep stopping for tea breaks - he started being deliberately slow with tea making and now the son has brought his own tea making equipment as he was obviously not efficient enough!Grin)

These constant cups of tea result in him asking to use the toilet frequently - I am not one of those mners who freaks about strangers using the toilet but it's annoying when it's all the time. He seems to be treating the house like he still lives in it - I know its's not our house but it is our home.

He also left a bag full of sweets and fizzy drinks hanging up in the garage which attracted mice. He has now moved this bag to our fridge.

I asked the landlord today for a timescale of how long this work will take - it's now school holidays and it will be awkward for the kids to relax in their pjs in the morning - they'll have to get dressed early in case he may or may not come round. She said she'll discuss it with us tomorrow. I'm sure if he'd have turned up every day he said he would and not disappeared each time there was a cloud in the sky the work would have been done by now and we're worried this is going to carry on for the whole of the school holidays.

We're really not sure what to do - this is pissing us off and we feel our right to quiet enjoyment of our property is being breached. However we want to stay here for at least two years as the house is otherwise great. How do we assert our rights whilst maintaining a good relationship with out landlord. AIBU to think this is even possible? (Sorry for the essay!)

OP posts:
Cosentyx · 23/07/2019 22:05

Just tell her about his behaviour. Your DH should have just told him, 'You'll need to make your own tea, I am working.' Get some noise cancelling headphones and tune him out.

Original poster
tulippa · 23/07/2019 22:12

It's not the noise as such - I appreciate the work needs doing. It's more that it's taking so long due to his flakiness and not turning up so it's going to drag on and on... We get the impression he's a bit of a mummy's boy - landlord drops him off and picks him up.

OP posts:
HypatiaCade · 23/07/2019 22:16

Let the kids lounge about in their pjs regardless of whether he's there or not! Its their holiday. No need to take him into account at all.

Also, keep a track of when he arrives and when he leaves. You could even pointedly ask 'Will you be leaving at x time today, like you did yesterday?' to make sure he knows that you are keeping track.

Mention to your Landlady that the work is taking longer than she had said, and was there any particular problem that was causing this?

Bibijayne · 23/07/2019 22:18

I'd let her know. Ask her for an ETA for work completion. Say you need to have X weeks free as it is the summer holidays.

Original poster
tulippa · 23/07/2019 22:28

Hopefully we'll have more of an idea when we speak to her tomorrow and we may just have to ask for some time off from from it over the hols. I know we should just try to pretend he's not here but DD is 14 is feels self conscious in her nightwear with a stranger coming in and out of the house.

OP posts:
lastqueenofscotland · 23/07/2019 22:31

Id personally call their bluff about the harassment act and the landlord and tenant act. You have the right to quiet enjoyment of your home which you aren’t getting.
Many many years in property in many guises including lettings compliance, so feel free to ask me anything

juls1888 · 23/07/2019 22:36

If it's exterior works why is he in and out the house?

Original poster
tulippa · 23/07/2019 22:36

Yeah I know we can probably complain using the quiet enjoyment thing but don't want to put them off renewing our contract next year. (Might have changed my mind if his stuff is still in the garage then.) Also they have said they plan to do some work on next door's house so I guess he'll be expecting to keep his stuff in our garage even longer.

OP posts:
Original poster
tulippa · 23/07/2019 22:38

He is in and out of the house for cups of tea, toilet, getting his sweets out of the fridge. Also plugging in extension lead etc.

OP posts:
Warpdrive · 23/07/2019 22:46

He absolutely shouldnt be keeping things in your fridge!
I think you need to have a word with the landlord, explain that you feel he has blurred the boundaries regarding the property, it is understandable as it used to be his home, but could she support you in redefining those for him now that its your home?
Ask her when the work will be finished, and keep checking in to see if it is on track.

Bunbunbunny · 23/07/2019 23:05

Google quiet enjoyment

SaxxedtotheMax · 23/07/2019 23:09

Lock the front door, poke the extension lead through the window.

End of.

Satterthwaite · 23/07/2019 23:17

He absolutely should not be in and out of the house! If the work is outside there is no way he should be in the house at all.

So his stuff has been there for two months and he still hasn't got an end date for the work? That's bonkers. Take lastqueen up on her offer!

WillLokireturn · 23/07/2019 23:23

You do have the right to.quiet enjoyment of your property. Pp above is right, poke an extension lead out (but are you paying for electricity?!) He can bring flask of tea. He may need to use toilet but really how.longnia reasonable? Definitely talk to.your landlord and that your 14 year old DD who is now on school holidays is embarrassed that he's around so unpredictably and long. Follow.up conversation with brief email as this is a business relationship. Whilst you want the house well maintained, he shouldn't be infringing in your peace and privacy like this . And no way should he be using keys to let himself in, if he is!!

Aquamarine1029 · 23/07/2019 23:26

FFS, the son is taking the piss and you're letting him. Tell your landlord the public loo and cafe are now CLOSED. He can bring his own fucking tea. What he is expecting in regards to access to your home is ridiculous.

Pipandmum · 23/07/2019 23:26

You are renting the garage as part of the house and so he shouldn’t be storing anything there without your permission, and when work is done he removes it.
He should not be coming in the house at all. If he needs power he can ask for it to be plugged in and then tell you when he is leaving. He can bring a flask of tea.
Don’t worry about your landlady not renewing - she’d be an utter fool not to and to risk a void period and fees.
Tomorrow be firm say it has been extremely inconvenient and you want the work finished by x date. If she thinks you’re a pushover she’ll treat you like one.

WillLokireturn · 23/07/2019 23:26

What a lovely offer from @lastqueenofscotland

HeavenlyEyes · 23/07/2019 23:30

Using your fridge, your electric and your garage which you are paying for? This is just not on is it?

Cherrysoup · 23/07/2019 23:43

Bloody hell, stop letting him come and go in the house as he pleases! Lock the door, open it a Crack when he tries to come in, tell him it's not convenient for him to use the toilet/make tea etc. He is a massive CF! Mention quiet enjoyment to landlady and remind her how many times he's been round. It's ridiculous! Tell her you don't think it's appropriate with your dd wanting to chill and not have toget dressed because of him being a lazy FUCK!

Original poster
tulippa · 24/07/2019 06:33

Yes think we are just going to have to be honest with her about the inconvenience. I can't see why she wouldn't renew the contract other than this - the house was empty for six months before we moved in. We pay the rent on time and keep the house tidy. Thanks for all the advice!

OP posts:
Happynow001 · 24/07/2019 07:19

the house was empty for six months before we moved in.
Not efficient of the LL not to have had the work done whilst the house was empty then. Maybe she needs to find someone more reliable than her son to get the jobs done - and not upset the tenants who are paying her rent.

Yes, do give a deadline for the work to be done, and set limits to his access to the house, ie he is not to come inside if the work is outside (and WTH about using your fridge!?).

Also remember to give your LL a heads up that you don't want anything stored in the garage (which you are paying for) when work is going on next door.

Yogagirl123 · 24/07/2019 07:26

It’s your home OP, it sounds unnecessary for him to have access for exterior works tbh.

DarkAtEndOfTunnel · 24/07/2019 16:52

My sympathies op, I was in a very similar situation once. We ended up moving. Our landlord nicked our deposit too, one of his excuses being that we weren't easily available for all appointments with his best mate workman (which he, like yours, changed on whim and honoured only when he felt like it).

I would go with pp's, be secure and clear in your boundaries and communications. Ask the landlord for clarity about exactly what work still needs to be done and ask for a proper schedule. Keep as close a track as you can of your workman's movements and exactly what work is being done and complain to the landlord in writing when the two fail to match up, with evidence. Do stop the tea and toilets, and do not keep his stuff in your home. If you can get someone like the CAB to give you a letter on their headed notepaper (if they still do that), or know a friendly solicitor who would do the same, it would be even better as it makes it look as if you have legal back-up. However, we did all that and still ended up having to move. Renting in the UK is shit.

DarkAtEndOfTunnel · 24/07/2019 16:55

ps It impacted me through pregnancy as it happens. I'd wanted a home birth. It wasn't going to happen with a strange man wandering around whenever he felt like it, so I can empathise with your dd too. You end up feeling under siege.

Funnyface1 · 24/07/2019 17:02

You are renting it, it's your home. If work needs doing that's fine but he shouldn't be coming in and out for drinks and the toilet. I would lock the door and ignore him if he knocks. Let him get on with it.

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