Landlord asking who I’m bubbling with and spending Xmas with

[Shirleyvalentine2020]

I live on my own and I currently rent a property.
I have no personal relationship with the landlord.

The landlord has randomly emailed me out of the blue asking how am I spending Christmas and who am I bubbling with?

I have not replied to the email as I find it intrusive and non of his business. What do you think to this questioning?

I’m also in tier 4 so even if I wanted to do something I couldn’t as everything and everywhere is shut.

Wow, very intrusive. Sounds like a weirdo??

Weird, maybe they are suggesting you spend it together or trying to be nice and checking you weren’t alone? But very weird

That’s weird. I’d ask why he’s interested?

Weird.

Maybe he needs somewhere to hang out and was hoping you were out.

I agree, it's intrusive and none of his business.

Are you paying the rent? Are you keeping the property in good condition? That's all they need to know.

How weird! Non of his business, I’d just ignore it and not reply

Sounds like he's reaching out and checking that you're not lonely.

Thanks all for your thoughts.
The rent is fully paid and all bills are fully up to date. The house is immaculate and he has said so himself on many occasions.
He knows I have family only few roads away.
Landlord has not been very nice in recent months so I don’t think for one moment he’s being nice.
I’ve left my car at home and gone into a bubble for few days. The house is also alarmed and blinds down so he can’t see in - he regularly noses through the windows but can’t since I bought new blinds 6 weeks ago.

Cheeky sod looking through the windows!! Ha bet he’s pissed off he can’t anymore. Have you set timers for the lights?

I actually think they have emailed because they are concerned that you will be all on your own and lonely and it comes from good intentions. Not from being nosey or trying to catch you out.

Apologies, I managed to miss your most recent message. If you're sure it's not him being nice, well yes, it's odd.

sounds creepy, does he have a key?

I wouldnt want him thinking I was alone and if hes a peeping tom I would alert the police, spying through your windows is illegal (and as a paying tennet they are YOUR windows for the term of your contract, he would have to have a strong legitimate reason to be looking through windows or entering the house such as hearing the burgler alarm for a prolonged period or seeing smoke escaping the building etc...).

Yes I have set the timers for the lights.
It’s really funny you should say about him being pissed off he can see in anymore. He only lives 2
Roads away and he used to drive from his house and park outside my house 3 times a week every week for over a year. Once parked he then would walk very close to the garden fencing and peer in. I’ve caught him doing it! I had curtains up and used to close them when I went out but then I saw mrs hinch recommendations for renter blinds and bought them. Covered every window including the window on the front door!! He can’t see in at all

i'd talk to non emgergency police about the window thing.
why has he been snotty in the last few months with you ? what happened ?

It's none of his business. I'd keep the email but not reply to it.

We have had a lockdown twice (now on third lockdown tier 4). He owns most of the property on the high street and of course everywhere has closed for long periods of time. I’m guessing that would impact his income. Also looking at right move he has had a few tenants moving out in the last two months. He was being off about a month ago almost hounding me asking me if I would be moving out etc. As soon as I said i was not moving out his tone changed. I’m guessing but think his income has had a big hit.

If his income has taken a hit he might be looking to Air B&B it.

Does he have a key?

I have worked at home whilst we have been in lockdown and since then I was made redundant but he has no idea I lost my job. All bills are paid and I would not tell him I lost my job unless I could not pay for everything. New work starting soon so that’s not an issue for me (fingers crossed)

Yes he has a key but doubt he would air bnb as it’s a brand new property and the tenancy agreement is fixed for two years

Ignore it. Very intrusive.

Unless you have a reason to think he's being weird, I'd assume it was concern.

It's odd that everyone's first thought is that he's got some sort of ulterior motive IMO

@Shinylikeglass

Unless you have a reason to think he's being weird, I'd assume it was concern.

It's odd that everyone's first thought is that he's got some sort of ulterior motive IMO

It’s not that odd. When a man knows you live alone and has been known to peer through the blinds, you’d want to be a bit wary of him.

He sounds quite strange. Good shout with the renter blinds!

He sounds like a nosey sod, has maybe clocked that you aren't home and is thinking you are breaking the rules. Absolutely none of his business, I'd ignore it personally.

I think I’d have been tempted to challenge him on the parking outside thing. Don’t agreements have a ‘right to enjoy privacy’ type of clause , I know ours does. I find that really rude and that it’s driven you to need blinds and would have politely mentioned it to set boundaries . You sound very patient!