Page 7 | Tenant’s ’friend’ locked out

Catcherintherice · 2024-12-26T22:50:31+00:00

I am a landlord and around an hour ago took a phone call from my tenant. He is visiting family and accidentally locked out his friend who lives with him. Friend has no key and apparently no money as his cards are in the flat. The friend is not a tenant and has never been a permitted occupier. Today is the first time the tenant has told me he is actually living there. The flat is over 30 miles from me. I have visitors and have been drinking. I am probably not over the legal limit but I never drive after any alcohol. I am not really happy about giving access to someone who isn’t a tenant, but as the tenant says he is there, I have offered that he can get someone to collect a key from my home. I can’t think of anything else. I have posted in AIBU as I don’t think I’m being unreasonable in not offering anything else, and can’t think of what more I can do. He has contacted a locksmith who has quoted over £400, and wants payment before he comes out.

IVbumble · 27/12/2024 13:21

Maybe check they have left the heating to come on over short periods whilst they are away to prevent the pipes freezing.

NC10125 · 27/12/2024 13:24

If the tenant is a good tenant, this is the only problem which you have ever had, and the flat is in good shape when you check it I would just reiterate that he can’t sublet and leave it there.

Eviction is stressful and expensive, getting a flat ready for new tenants is stressful and expensive, having a flat empty is stressful and expensive and new tenants are a bit of a shot in the dark.

Doesn’t seem worth the money and the faff to me based on one evening’s disruption, however irritating.

MJconfessions · 27/12/2024 14:02

Something seems so odd about this.

I think it’s only right for you to be suspicious.

If your tenant did genuinely sublet to his friend who is genuinely locked out, why didn’t your tenant pass on his friend’s personal information like name and contact details and more details about the arrangement they have? Ie how long it’s been going on for etc so you’re fully up to date. Instead he’s using himself as a go-between/conduit between you and his friend whilst simultaneously leaving the country and getting on a flight so can’t be contacted. It doesn’t make sense.

Personally I wouldn’t open doors for any random stranger. You presumably carried out background checks on your tenant so there’s a element of trust, whereas you have no idea who his friend is or whether you would even agree to him living there. If he damages the place, you have limited recourse. If he refuses to leave, you’re fucked. You know your actual tenant is safe and has keys.

Original poster

Catcherintherice · 27/12/2024 14:07

Well this is getting more complicated by the minute.

I have had a video call with the tenant. The person who needs access to the flat is now his ‘cousin’ He has been there for a few days. He works shifts and normally sleeps in the late afternoon/ early evening and the tenant thought he was in bed asleep when he left. He does have the spare key, but didn’t have it with him ( no idea why).

A local locksmith has been and is unable to pick the lock. They can drill out the old lock but this will be expensive and the locksmith asked for proof of residency/ID. The friend doesn’t have this and I have refused the request to speak directly to authorise it.

Our call was terminated due to poor signal but it seems like allowing someone to stay without discussing it with me is not the only potential breach. The cousin needs access to care for the tenant’s pets. He has recently acquired reptiles and caged rodents.

It looks like I will have a list of issues to address when I see him. He is due back in the U.K. 10 January. In the meantime I am going to need to sort out a way of allowing access to care for the pets without giving permission for the cousin to be there.

OP posts:

TwinklyAmberOrca · 27/12/2024 14:15

Catcherintherice · 27/12/2024 14:07

Well this is getting more complicated by the minute.

I have had a video call with the tenant. The person who needs access to the flat is now his ‘cousin’ He has been there for a few days. He works shifts and normally sleeps in the late afternoon/ early evening and the tenant thought he was in bed asleep when he left. He does have the spare key, but didn’t have it with him ( no idea why).

A local locksmith has been and is unable to pick the lock. They can drill out the old lock but this will be expensive and the locksmith asked for proof of residency/ID. The friend doesn’t have this and I have refused the request to speak directly to authorise it.

Our call was terminated due to poor signal but it seems like allowing someone to stay without discussing it with me is not the only potential breach. The cousin needs access to care for the tenant’s pets. He has recently acquired reptiles and caged rodents.

It looks like I will have a list of issues to address when I see him. He is due back in the U.K. 10 January. In the meantime I am going to need to sort out a way of allowing access to care for the pets without giving permission for the cousin to be there.

Your tenant will just have to fly back to the UK to sort it out.

The story changing from friend to cousin, and now pets sounds all too suspicious.

But... someone staying for a week whilst someone is on holiday to look after pets is actually sensible. A pet sitter essentially, and far cheaper than arranging for the pets to be looked after at a boarding house. I'm assuming a tenancy can't ban this?

I'd let your tenant know that as a gesture of good will, and for the welfare of the animals, for an upfront fee of £50 you will attend the property at 6pm today to allow access to his cousin to the property. I'd also insist on a photo of the cousin and the cousin producing photo ID to verify himself.

pikkumyy77 · 27/12/2024 14:15

What a mess!

allaloneandlost · 27/12/2024 14:17

Knew this would turn complicated and it's a shame it's fallen on you to deal with when it's not your issue but has now become your issue. The friend is now a cousin.

You're right not to allow the cousin access he's not the tenant and it's a breach. The pets are a concern and can't be left for a fortnight but aren't your responsibility either. Again, is having pets a breach? I'd call the RSPCA to remove them as you have no other option unless you want to visit the property once or twice a day and you shouldn't have to. Either that or I'd tell the tenant he has to return and sort his own mess out and be having a conversation with him about the issues.

anyolddinosaur · 27/12/2024 14:17

Does the lease allow pets? I'd be wondering if this was his boyfriend but I'd also be looking to evict him asap.

pikkumyy77 · 27/12/2024 14:17

TwinklyAmberOrca · 27/12/2024 14:15

Your tenant will just have to fly back to the UK to sort it out.

The story changing from friend to cousin, and now pets sounds all too suspicious.

But... someone staying for a week whilst someone is on holiday to look after pets is actually sensible. A pet sitter essentially, and far cheaper than arranging for the pets to be looked after at a boarding house. I'm assuming a tenancy can't ban this?

I'd let your tenant know that as a gesture of good will, and for the welfare of the animals, for an upfront fee of £50 you will attend the property at 6pm today to allow access to his cousin to the property. I'd also insist on a photo of the cousin and the cousin producing photo ID to verify himself.

Show quote history

But if the “cousin” was just a “pet sitter” for just a few weeks surely he would have his own home to retreat to if he were locked out? This story makes less sense the more it gets told. I mean the tenants story. Its so ridiculous that I have no trouble believing it is happening.

MyrtleStrumpet · 27/12/2024 14:19

allaloneandlost · 27/12/2024 14:17

Knew this would turn complicated and it's a shame it's fallen on you to deal with when it's not your issue but has now become your issue. The friend is now a cousin.

You're right not to allow the cousin access he's not the tenant and it's a breach. The pets are a concern and can't be left for a fortnight but aren't your responsibility either. Again, is having pets a breach? I'd call the RSPCA to remove them as you have no other option unless you want to visit the property once or twice a day and you shouldn't have to. Either that or I'd tell the tenant he has to return and sort his own mess out and be having a conversation with him about the issues.

Edited

This. Call the RSPCA and let them in to take the pets, perhaps permanently if they are in poor health or if pets are not allowed under the tenancy.

What a mess.

Original poster

Catcherintherice · 27/12/2024 14:21

pikkumyy77 · 27/12/2024 14:17

But if the “cousin” was just a “pet sitter” for just a few weeks surely he would have his own home to retreat to if he were locked out? This story makes less sense the more it gets told. I mean the tenants story. Its so ridiculous that I have no trouble believing it is happening.

Edited

Show quote history

I am not buying the story that he’s a cousin, or that he’s only been there a few days. If that was the case he wouldn’t ‘normally’ have been sleeping late afternoon.
The story doesn’t make sense.
The ridiculous part of it is that if he had spoken to me about it I could have checked the ‘cousins’ identity and given the OK for him to be there.

OP posts:

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 27/12/2024 14:22

If a locksmith changes the lock/s, obiv you won't have the spare key / any key at all.
the ' friend ' / ' cousin ' will have all the keys...

this situation is just getting worse and worse

Original poster

Catcherintherice · 27/12/2024 14:23

MyrtleStrumpet · 27/12/2024 14:19

This. Call the RSPCA and let them in to take the pets, perhaps permanently if they are in poor health or if pets are not allowed under the tenancy.

What a mess.

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I am not happy about reptiles being there, but only because I’m not keen on them, but if he had spoken to me about them I would have agreed to him keeping them.

OP posts:

anyolddinosaur · 27/12/2024 14:25

You said reptiles and rodents. Reptiles may not need to be fed often, depends what they are. Rodents are more likely to be daily care.

Original poster

Catcherintherice · 27/12/2024 14:26

anyolddinosaur · 27/12/2024 14:25

You said reptiles and rodents. Reptiles may not need to be fed often, depends what they are. Rodents are more likely to be daily care.

I just hope the rodents aren’t the reptiles’ food.

OP posts:

PromoJoJo · 27/12/2024 14:27

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the poster's request.

TwinklyAmberOrca · 27/12/2024 14:27

anyolddinosaur · 27/12/2024 14:25

You said reptiles and rodents. Reptiles may not need to be fed often, depends what they are. Rodents are more likely to be daily care.

Unless the rodents are being fed to the reptiles... 🙄

UnitedOps · 27/12/2024 14:29

You need to check what is in the tenancy agreement. You might not be happy about him having pets but does the tenancy agreement prevent him from having pets? Does the agreement prevent him having overnight guests?

allaloneandlost · 27/12/2024 14:30

pikkumyy77 · 27/12/2024 14:17

But if the “cousin” was just a “pet sitter” for just a few weeks surely he would have his own home to retreat to if he were locked out? This story makes less sense the more it gets told. I mean the tenants story. Its so ridiculous that I have no trouble believing it is happening.

Edited

Show quote history

I agree as I understand he's pet sitting and that makes sense but then he'd have to just return home having locked himself out and let the tenant know. There was no mention of any of this last night when surely the pets having now been alone since last night, he'd be concerned about their welfare. Why mention it now? There's something not quite right here and you don't know this friend, cousin or whatever he is. The priority now is the pets.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 27/12/2024 14:31

I agree with contacting the RSPCA regarding the abandoned pets. Get them to rescue the animals and don't give access to the unauthorised person who isn't actually your tenant.

pikkumyy77 · 27/12/2024 14:34

If the pets even exist. Which I doubt.

Paul2023 · 27/12/2024 14:40

A ballache I know , but given it’s such a mess I’d probably go to your property and see what’s going on. If anything, for the sake of the animals, not fair on them either.
Id want to know what pets exactly and verify who this guy is. And get him to prove some form of Identity. I’d also want to k ow how long he’s staying for and what his actual living arrangements are.

Sorry OP- I think you really should go. BUT I’d absolutely want the tenant to compensate me for the time , fuel and inconvenience caused.

LIZS · 27/12/2024 14:41

I agree as I understand he's pet sitting and that makes sense but then he'd have to just return home having locked himself out and let the tenant know. There was no mention of any of this last night when surely the pets having now been alone since last night, he'd be concerned about their welfare. Why mention it now? There's something not quite right here and you don't know this friend, cousin or whatever he is. The priority now is the pets.

I guess it is an attempt to up the urgency of "cousin" gaining access. I doubt RSPCA will force access and may not be overly concerned about cruelty. I wonder if pets actually belong to said "cousin" and he lives there too He may simply have lost the keys and locked himself out.

OP give notice that you intend to access but don't specify when ( otherwise he may wait for you) and do so at your convenience. The animals will be ok for a few days but take advice.

ExceededUsefulEconomicLife · 27/12/2024 14:42

Going against the grain here. The situation is what it is. You have verified confirmation this isn't a thief and there are pets at stake. Let him in so they are safe and then when he is back evict him.

There's no point sticking to the rules for difficulties sake at this time. The result is the same, he will be evicted but you know your house is safe and animals aren't dying needlessly. I don't rent but I have people staying at my house to look after my dog. If he does have a tenant to help him pay rent, it isn't the end of the world for a few days longer. Until this, you thought he was a good enough tenant so he isn't causing hassle.

zingally · 27/12/2024 14:45

Speaking as someone who, until very recently, was a tenant for 16 years, I can't imagine it ever crossing my mind to contact my landlord/letting agents to let me in. And certainly not on Boxing Day!

I'd have called a locksmith and cursed my own stupidity.