Problem with letting agent

[Carlyle62]

I am due to move from my flat at end of March, and am fuming over the letting agent's behaviour.

A couple of weeks ago, the porter at the flats called me at 8am on a Saturday saying the agent had asked him for my key to show someone round who was looking at another flat. The porter knew I was in, and obviously I did not let anyone in.

Today the agent had arranged to bring a prospective tenant to view, and I was out for that time, but agreed. When I returned I found that the agent had not turned up but his prospective tenant had. The porter, who is employed by the letting agent (who also manages services in the block) with strict instructions to hand by keys to tenant. He did - so a stranger had spent time in my flat completely unsupervised. I was very upset (in fact I cried), my privacy and sense of security had been violated. Also I work most of the time from home - so confidential company papers were out, together with access to chequebook, bank statements etc.

I called the agents and spoke to a Director - he said they knew the prospective tenant well, and had dinner with him recently. As far as I am concerned, this intruder was not known to me. I am writing a letter of complaint to the agent, with a copy to the agent's professional body. This is one of the leading, well known agents inLondon, and they have received my rent of over £3000 PCM for two years without any problems from me - just the expectation that I
I could have undisturbed tenancy.

Is there anything else I can do - at the moment I am so angry and upset at the same time.

I think you are right to feel aggrieved about this, it was quite wrong for them to allow an unsupervised viewing. You are right to comlplain formally about it. I'm not sure there is anything else you an do other than to insist it doesn't happen again.

Thanks for your reply olgaga. Obviously the agents have broken civil and criminal law by not allowing me quiet enjoyment of my flat - under the Housing Act 1988. I feel the Agents should not get away with this shoddy type of behaviour. If the agent's employee couldn't be bothered to do their job within the law, I feel they are in the wrong job.

Tonight I feel as if I have been burgled - and I feel this place is not my home anymore. Very upsetting after two happy years here. I have shed tears over this, as my safe place feels violated. I don't usually get upset this much, but this has really got to me.

Why did you leave company paperwork out if you weren't in? My employers would feel I had been negligent in that respect even if the viewing had been accompanied as planned. I don't think I would make much of that aspect in the complaint you are raising.

This behaviour is unreasonable and against the law. Check their website to see if they're members of ARMA or the Property ombudsman. If they are, get a copy of the complaints procedure from the agent and follow it. If you don't get an apology, escalate to the prof association, and they'll fine them. Unfortunately, if they're not a member of a prof association, there's not a lot you can do.

what the agent/porter are doing is illegal.
I would write a strong worded letter/email explaining the 'quiet enjoyment of home'.
they need your explicit consent (that you didn't give)

can you get a cheap lock at a dyi store? normal locks are quie
te easy to replace yourself and you could just return the old lock when you move. costs maybe 20£.

I can see why you are upset and you are right to complain but I am not sure if it will Make a difference.

You should have put the papers away though as you did give permission for the agent to be in the property so I wouldn't put that apart of your complaint.

I don't think you having work papers out is an issue, it's your private space that has been violated. I doubt there is anything in your tenancy that would allow unsupervised 3rd party access to your home that you pay good money for. I'd be absolutely livid and would take it to the top. How dare they invade your privacy like that. Good luck. X

I used to work for a letting agent and I found their total lack of respect for people's privacy appalling. I'm not sure what you could do legally but don't let them get away with it. Go through your contract and maybe even check at CAB. I think the professional body is ARLA

Why would you allow someone like the porter to have a key? I would get it off the porter as the agents could use it for more people to view your place in your absence. Do complain as it is unethical to say the least.