To think I should take this further? Tenancy issues.

[SundayCherry]

I moved into a studio flat in London a month ago. It’s a studio in a house with other studios for context- bills included and quite expensive.

Anyway, moved in and quite happy but noticed there was a giant crack in the porcelain toilet basin that had (poo) in it. Not a huge issue but mentioned it in my checkout.

Two days later I’m in the shower when a man enters the bathroom while I’m showering causing me to have a near heart attack. Turns out he’s the contractor from the agency come to look at the toilet. I’ve been given no warning and he used his keys as the flat door was locked. He apologises, says there’s nothing he can do with the toilet basin unless they rip the whole thing up, leaves, and I was furious, tried to phone agency no answer so I emailed.

I got a response from the agency saying “Hi Robert” well, I’m a female and definitely not Robert. Saying that they had in fact emailed me letting me know a contractor was coming within 24 hours. They send an attachment of the email they sent and they’d sent the email to themselves by accident the day before- not me!

I replied stating this and resent the screenshot and never heard back. So I emailed the big boss who responded saying “Apologies for your inconvenience and we will take this as an opportunity to try better in the future”.

I just feel a bit still pissed off about the whole thing. I don’t know why, I think it’s the fact I felt so vulnerable and my door was locked. I’m not even sure what I’m looking for? Maybe more acknowledgment?

I'm not surprised you're still pissed off!!
This is really really awful because your home is somewhere you should feel secure and in control of

And the incompetence of the letting agent on top

I'm not surprised you're furious. I would put in writing that unless you have given explicit agreement in writing no contractor of theirs is to let themselves into, or turn up at the property.

It was a very unpleasant experience and I can totally understand why you feel vulnerable.

Personally, I’d respond to the big boss thanking them for the acknowledgment and firmly stating that this mustn’t happen again. Given this experience, in future their office should wait for an acknowledgement from you that you’ve received their email before instructing a maintenance person to enter your flat. Otherwise, you’ll need to take this further.

I’m also big softie though and would feel abit sorry for the person who’s caused the cock-up, because people do make stupid mistakes all the time. They’ve probably had a massive bollocking and will be more careful from now on.