Landlady constantly visiting shared house

[CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau]

To start with, this is not the only issue with the landlady and I am aware that legally she doesn't need permission or to warn us before she comes into the shared areas.

Landlady is currently in our house which is shared between five, two in the process of moving, one other just moved in, I'm hoping to move around June.
Walls are incredibly thin and so we can all hear what the others are doing at all times and when she's in the house I know she knows I'm in the loo, for example.

Fourth time she has been in the house in six days, at no point has she warned us.

She uses her visits to inspect things like the cleaning rota (she decides that one person has to clean every bit of the common area once a week and checks to see if that person has signed off), if the bins are full - this is our fault, even though she makes no effort to get us an extra bin which we need, stuff like that. She will show people around the house without warning us first and as it's her (noncontractual) rule that we don't wear shoes indoors and that all the doors must be locked with a key even if everyone is in the house at all times, constantly worried that she might pick up on that too. If she sees eg that we haven't signed her rota, even if there is no mess or dirt, she threatens to fine us. It's also just really intrusive and upsetting having her coming in and out all the time.

I think this is a serious infringement of quiet enjoyment but it's in that sweet spot where I can't find the legal basis for this. Is there anything we can do about it?

Take the cleaning rota and throw it away.

Then call Shelter for advice on the other stuff.

No this is not ok. As you have said, you are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your home and a right to privacy. Chat gpt the know all says...

A tenant's right to privacy is a legal protection that prevents landlords from entering a rented property without proper notice or a valid reason. While landlords own the property, tenants have the right to "quiet enjoyment," meaning they can use their home without unnecessary interference.

Key Aspects of a Tenant's Right to Privacy:

Landlord Entry Rules

Notice Requirement: Landlords must give advance notice (usually 24-48 hours, depending on state or country laws) before entering for inspections, repairs, or showings.

Valid Reasons for Entry: Common reasons include repairs, maintenance, property inspections, or showing the unit to prospective tenants or buyers.

Emergency Situations: In emergencies (like a fire or gas leak), landlords can enter without notice.

Unauthorized Entry

If a landlord enters without permission or notice (except for emergencies), it may be considered a violation of tenant rights.

Tenants can report violations to housing authorities or take legal action.

Surveillance & Privacy

Landlords cannot install security cameras inside the unit or in a way that invades the tenant’s personal space (like pointing at windows or inside patios).

Common areas (like hallways or parking lots) may be monitored, but not in a way that violates privacy laws.

Mail & Personal Information

Landlords cannot open or tamper with a tenant’s mail.

Tenant information (like rental applications or payment history) must be kept private and not shared without permission.

Retaliation Protections

If a tenant complains about privacy violations, the landlord cannot retaliate by raising rent, evicting them, or cutting off utilities.

Tenant privacy rights vary by location, so checking local tenant laws is always a good idea. Are you dealing with a specific privacy issue with your landlord?

I don't think so, and it is improving a lot! Don't think she's illegally come into the room again though.

Thanks for the chat gpt stuff. Some of that doesn't apply to shared property sadly, but I am pretty sure she has tampered with the mail.

she threatens to fine us.

I would laugh at her for that one. She has no legal rights to fine you for anything. She's a landlord, not a court.

Also just because she had rules she makes doesn't make them remotely enforceable. I could put in my tenants contract that they have to make me dinner every Wednesday, but I'd be laughed out of court if I tried to enforce it!

Also even has a HMO she should give prior warning for viewings. She clearly is clueless about best practice

Tampered with the mail how?

The same rules apply to HMOs as to "normal" tenancies, so she cannot just let herself in when she wants - she must give you notice AND have permission, unless it's an emergency.
She cannot implement a cleaning rota, and has no authority to fine you!
PP's suggestion of calling Shelter is a good one - have a look at their website, and gov.uk for what rights you have as tenants.