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Original poster

Liability- landlord vs police vs tenant

26 replies

KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 19:42

Police were called to do a welfare check after a message was misinterpreted by a friend (mental health related), didn’t answer door as I didn’t know anyone was there (flats) and the intercom hasn’t worked in over a year (despite asking for it to be fixed) so police kicked the door in. Now landlord is trying to charge me for damages. Is this right? Should landlord not pay using insurance or my deposit? Should police not pay?

OP posts:
TheCurious0range · 04/05/2025 19:45

No the police will only pay if they caused damage in error, wrong address or it turns out the person wasn't involved in the offence etc. They were right to kick the door in as they'd received an urgent welfare check and no one was answering, you could've been unconscious. I don't imagine that being covered on the landlord's insurance.

thecatneuterer · 04/05/2025 20:07

So it's the downstairs communal door that was kicked in? Not the door to your individual flat?

SidekickSylvia · 04/05/2025 20:19

I'm a landlord and the recently ex fiance of my tenant asked the police to do a welfare check on my tenant. Unfortunately she was correct to have called them, and they were correct to have broken the door to gain access. I was able to claim for damages on my landlord insurance, and they paid over £2000, and I paid the excess (I think it was £250). I didn't take anything from his deposit and returned it to his parents in full. There was no question from my insurers, I sent them the paperwork from the police and they took over, arranging the new door directly. It was a new house, so may have been more expensive than you'd expect for a 'like for like' front door.

Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 20:37

No offence just a welfare check, they could have called me and I’d have let them in or used intercom (if lazy landlord had fixed it)

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 20:37

Downstairs communal door not my door when they got into the building and knocked I answered immediately.

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 20:39

SidekickSylvia · 04/05/2025 20:19

I'm a landlord and the recently ex fiance of my tenant asked the police to do a welfare check on my tenant. Unfortunately she was correct to have called them, and they were correct to have broken the door to gain access. I was able to claim for damages on my landlord insurance, and they paid over £2000, and I paid the excess (I think it was £250). I didn't take anything from his deposit and returned it to his parents in full. There was no question from my insurers, I sent them the paperwork from the police and they took over, arranging the new door directly. It was a new house, so may have been more expensive than you'd expect for a 'like for like' front door.

My landlord is refusing to claim on his insurance or pay and wait for police to reimburse him, he says it’s my fault and I need to pay for the repair he also won’t take it out of my deposit which he has.

OP posts:
B0D · 04/05/2025 20:42

Can you go to small claims against LL to claim your deposit back?

BreakingPoint555 · 04/05/2025 20:42

Damage wasn't your fault, police acted independently and broken intercom contributed. Landlord has no case. Of course they should claim through insurance!

londongirl12 · 04/05/2025 20:44

I would state that had the intercom worked when you reported it a year ago, then this wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t pay as you had nothing to do with it.

Aoppley · 04/05/2025 20:45

Landlord is responsible for this. His insurance likely will not cover it because he should have had the intercom fixed. If it had been promptly fixed, this would not have happened (which may mean it can't be covered by insurance but we don't know his policy). If he tries to take it from your deposit you can dispute it.

thecatneuterer · 04/05/2025 20:59

If it's a communal door then I don't understand what it's got to do with your landlord. Surely this is for the building management company/freeholder to sort out. It doesn't really matter who the police were coming to see as the door to your flat is fine. Unless your landlord owns the whole block?

SidekickSylvia · 04/05/2025 21:18

KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 20:39

My landlord is refusing to claim on his insurance or pay and wait for police to reimburse him, he says it’s my fault and I need to pay for the repair he also won’t take it out of my deposit which he has.

Show quote history

The police won't reimburse, nor should they - they're carrying out a public service in doing this and shouldn't be penalised for it. But your landlord's insurance would cover it, and it makes me wonder if they're not insured. My premium's went up, but not by much. This is exactly the reason for insurance - to cover unexpected, no fault expenses.

Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 21:20

Aoppley · 04/05/2025 20:45

Landlord is responsible for this. His insurance likely will not cover it because he should have had the intercom fixed. If it had been promptly fixed, this would not have happened (which may mean it can't be covered by insurance but we don't know his policy). If he tries to take it from your deposit you can dispute it.

I offered to let him take it from deposit but he’s insisting I pay for it out of pocket, he insinuated my tenancy would be at risk if I didn’t so I’m really worried.

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 21:21

B0D · 04/05/2025 20:42

Can you go to small claims against LL to claim your deposit back?

I’m worried he will evict me if I do this, I have nowhere else to do due to no family and housing is hard to get in my area at my age with no support

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Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 21:21

thecatneuterer · 04/05/2025 20:07

So it's the downstairs communal door that was kicked in? Not the door to your individual flat?

Yes communal door when they knocked on my door I answered

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 21:22

londongirl12 · 04/05/2025 20:44

I would state that had the intercom worked when you reported it a year ago, then this wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t pay as you had nothing to do with it.

I’ve reported it multiple times as well, landlord is insisting that’s nothing to do with it…

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 21:23

Aoppley · 04/05/2025 20:45

Landlord is responsible for this. His insurance likely will not cover it because he should have had the intercom fixed. If it had been promptly fixed, this would not have happened (which may mean it can't be covered by insurance but we don't know his policy). If he tries to take it from your deposit you can dispute it.

He’s refusing to do this and saying I have to pay for it now, by the end of the week or my tenancy is under threat

OP posts:
TY78910 · 04/05/2025 21:35

Just out of interest, has the landlord ever given you proof that your deposit has been put in the protection scheme (can’t remember the name of it)? The fact that he’s saying he wants cash now as opposed to the deposit makes me think they didn’t put it in there and that in itself you can claim compensation for.

As to the insurance thing, I too think they either don’t have insurance or don’t want to admit that the intercom was their fault so they’re trying to essentially blackmail you.

I understand housing availability is an issue, but I reckon they will serve you notice regardless.

Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 22:47

thecatneuterer · 04/05/2025 20:59

If it's a communal door then I don't understand what it's got to do with your landlord. Surely this is for the building management company/freeholder to sort out. It doesn't really matter who the police were coming to see as the door to your flat is fine. Unless your landlord owns the whole block?

He owns the whole building and all flats in it, we’re in rural Yorkshire so it’s only small.

OP posts:
Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 22:49

TY78910 · 04/05/2025 21:35

Just out of interest, has the landlord ever given you proof that your deposit has been put in the protection scheme (can’t remember the name of it)? The fact that he’s saying he wants cash now as opposed to the deposit makes me think they didn’t put it in there and that in itself you can claim compensation for.

As to the insurance thing, I too think they either don’t have insurance or don’t want to admit that the intercom was their fault so they’re trying to essentially blackmail you.

I understand housing availability is an issue, but I reckon they will serve you notice regardless.

I’ve been a perfect tenant literally never been late on rent, I’ve actually fixed issues that were here when I moved in as landlord isn’t good at keeping up with repairs etc. I signed paperwork for the DPS so I assumed he had put it in there but he says that money is for when someone leaves not for repairs mid tenancy

OP posts:
Aoppley · 04/05/2025 22:52

What type of contract do you have? If he wants to evict you, he will have to wait until the end of your tenancy agreement or give you the required notice if you're on a rolling contract

This would be a revenge eviction though which is illegal and you would be able to prove. Please get in touch with citizens advice first thing on Tuesday morning as your landlord is so so dodgy and they will help you to respond to him.

TY78910 · 04/05/2025 22:54

@KoalaFrog totally understand where you’re coming from regarding the perfect tenant but he won’t let go of bullying you in to handing over the money, and I really don’t think you should. Even if it means having the discomfort of finding elsewhere to live. The likelihood of this ‘headache’ for the landlord will mean even if you do give them the money, they will find another reason to let you go as they have a grudge.

Aoppley · 04/05/2025 22:56

Also report him to the council for not repairing the intercom. He'll be served with notice that he must do it, and he then won't be allowed to evict you for 6 months minimum.

I think he's just trying to intimidate you though as if he evicts you he'll have to spend time and money getting new tenants plus will have to pay for the door too. He's absolutely not allowed to keep any of your deposit towards that.

Original poster
KoalaFrog · 04/05/2025 23:00

Aoppley · 04/05/2025 22:52

What type of contract do you have? If he wants to evict you, he will have to wait until the end of your tenancy agreement or give you the required notice if you're on a rolling contract

This would be a revenge eviction though which is illegal and you would be able to prove. Please get in touch with citizens advice first thing on Tuesday morning as your landlord is so so dodgy and they will help you to respond to him.

I moved in June last year after being homeless from Feb-June. He gave me a 6 month fixed term contract and then said if I paid rent on time and passed inspections it would move to a proper contract but he has never produced this for me to sign. I pay rent on time every month and when I asked he’s said it’s transferred over and I don’t need a new contract. I’ve been ok council hosing list over a year and they couldn’t care less about helping me it’s awful!

OP posts:
Kimmeridge · 04/05/2025 23:08

I'd say his failure to repair the intercom is wholly responsible. The police will no doubt have tried the intercom for your flat and then your neighbours. If anyone had heard it they'd have buzzed them in & the door would be in tact

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