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Original poster

A complete stranger standing in my room shouting at me while I was asleep

69 replies

Flossam · 25/03/2006 11:32

Just got back off nights, have been in bed about an hour. DP and DS out. AM woken up by a bloke standing in my room shouting at me that he is from London and Essex.

Scared the complete hell out of me, not withstanding we are living on the third floor of a two locked door flat, when first waking up I have not a bloody clue who London and Essex are.

They are of course, letting agents. But, surely our Landlady ought to be asking our permission before sending agents round? SO that something like this dosen't happen. She did with prior appointment on Thurs.

Also, why has this man, who isn't our letting agent, got a set of keys to my home??? How safe and secure is that? Surely the only people who should have access to our keys to our flat and oujr posessions are us, the landlady and perhaps the agent we rent through?? Am thinking this could be a breach of contract and maybe I should see citizens advice.

Sorry, but I'm feeling really shaken up and angry. Not least because how many times does it take for me to explain to the dick head while sat in bed in my knickers that no is not a convinient time for him to be here before he F*cks the hell off??? Angry

OP posts:
lionhearted · 25/03/2006 15:29

oh yes, that happened to me years ago when I rented a place in Manchester--the landlord was selling and the estate agent thought that the fact that I didn't answer the phone (being asleep at the time) meant it was o.k to bring some people round for a viewing ....Complain to the agent ....It's a bloody horrible feeling, waking up with a stranger there in the room ....Changing the locks might make you feel more secure perhaps?

expatinscotland · 25/03/2006 15:36

leave your key in the lock, that way they can't get it, but realise you're there and knock.

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 17:20

we should only be here for one more week now. Supposed to be exchanging and completing on Fri and moving in on Sat (fingers crossed). We do have a chain which I put across at night when on my own, but in this case, DP was out, I would have in effect locked him out, and he'd have had to get me up to get in!! Had I know a bloke was coming that would obv be preferable. 4 nights on my own now, and then no more up here at least. I never got back to bed today,after my one hour so am rather hoping some wine and sleep deprivation will knock me out tonight! Grin

OP posts:
Freckle · 25/03/2006 17:23

If you are concerned that your landlady won't return your deposit in full, it might be prudent to write to her now pointing out that she is in breach of contract by having her agent enter the property without the contractual notice. You are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your home and she has ensured that you did not have that. It doesn't matter that she didn't tell the agent to come at that time. She is responsible for the actions of her agent. I would also stress the extreme shock and fear you felt when woken by a complete stranger shouting at you in your bedroom. Lay it on thick.

I think you might find that she coughs up the deposit pretty smartish if she thinks that you might otherwise sue for breach of contract and damages for the stress.

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 17:24

But really, could it really go that far? Surely it would get laughed out of court!

OP posts:
SorenDeLorensen · 25/03/2006 17:36

This happened to me in my then bf's rented flat - I'd just had a shower and was in the bedroom wrapped in a towel when the landlord and four blokes walked in Shock It's a horrible, horrible feeling - very scary. He reckoned he didn't have to give any notice of showing prospective tenants round as it was "his flat" - but he hadn't even knocked on the front door, just let himself in.

I'm glad you're going in a week.

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 17:38

Thanks SL! So am I! (i'll say it again, fingers crossed - must not tempt fate!) Grin

OP posts:
CarolineLaLune · 25/03/2006 17:41

god, what a horrible experience Angry.

freckle is right, you should milk it for all it's worth - you are entitled to quiet enjoyment and strange blokes in your bedroom is most definitely not quiet enjoyment.

Can you write a self-righteous letter to the landlady and copy it to the agents? I would ask for a reduction in this month's rent to compensate for the upset it's caused tbh.

Freckle · 25/03/2006 18:59

It doesn't need to go that far. Just the threat of it should be enough to make her return your deposit. And no, it wouldn't get laughed out of court. Your landlady's agent (male) lets himself into your home with no prior notice and then lets himself into your bedroom where you are asleep and proceeds to shout at you?? I can't think of any judge who would consider that to be acceptable in any way, shape or form.

jinglybits · 25/03/2006 19:12

awful but on the bright side at least u r leaving soon!
get to the CAB and ask about your rights regarding infringement of tenancy agreement on her part. they may suggest u record the incident with a solicitor for example, and then u always have that card to play should she attempt to withold your deposit. unfair world but i'm not sure i'd rock the boat too much if u r about to leave and want your deposit back, your landlady may get affronted and try to keep it. do make sure you get your deposit back before u give the keys back and vacate the flat, i have known many people who spend a lot of time/money trying to get their deposits back after moving out. if you really suspect your landlady you could think about witholding the last months rent in lui of the deposit she has but this is illegal and if she's handing out keys willy nilly could be risky unless you were to change the locks!

getbakainyourjimjams · 25/03/2006 19:28

happened to my mum years ago when we were living in a rented flat in London. She went ape (I was 16 and remember the phone call). You need to seriously complain.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 25/03/2006 22:11

OMG! Find out your rights and kick up a BIG fuss about this - this is NOT on.

Caligula · 25/03/2006 22:19

God, demand compensation. I would definitely have phoned the police (but I know your DH is one so you might feel more inhibited about that!) But seriously, this bloke could have been anyone and she has definitely broken the terms of your contract. I'd say that I could no longer sleep in the house and that it was affecting my health because of lack of sleep. (And tbh it would probably be true - I can't imagine feeling safe in my home after that.) As a gesture of goodwill alone, she should be offering compensation.

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 22:30

The reason I am still up is cause I can't face going to bed. Blush

Went for a cuddle with DP earlier and it kept replaying. It really shouldn't be that traumatic.

OP posts:
misdee · 25/03/2006 22:31

yes it is bloomin tramatic. you wake up witha strange man in your room, i;d be scared sh*tless.

give em hell floss.

Rhubarb · 25/03/2006 22:32

Yes it is that traumatic, to find a stranger in your room when you are all alone. Personally I would have gone straight to the police. You pay rent for that room and no matter what it says in the contract, contract law states that if the terms and conditions are unreasonable, then the contract is null and void. Whist you are paying rent, that flat is yours and anyone who enters without your permission and breaking and entering. I'd report it.

Chandra · 25/03/2006 22:37

Flossam, this happened to some friends and the landlord had a good talking by the police. It is not her flat, if you are paying rent, she has no rights to let people in, it counts as trasspassing (sp?). Hope you can forget about the incident soon, but leave the keys in the keyhole (just in case...)

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 22:40

Ironic isn't it, DP is the police.

OP posts:
Chandra · 25/03/2006 22:44

What are you waiting for? send him over! Wink

Mytwopenceworth · 25/03/2006 22:46

Before you leave, take lots of photos of the place - the walls, the carpets, bath, toilet etc - make sure that that days paper is in the shot too, so there can be no doubt about the date. in the event that she tries to claim she had to clean up after you, you have proof to take to the small claims court.

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 22:47

He's err, not particually, whats the word - proactive. Grin

And he's 200 odd miles away or similar now, so no blooody good to anyone! Grin

OP posts:
Mytwopenceworth · 25/03/2006 22:48

or actually, to prevent it - send keys back with a copy of the photos saying here are your keys and a copy of a set of photos that we took just before vacating, these clearly show we let the property in a good state, regards etc etc. that way she knows not to try anything in the first place!

Original poster
Flossam · 25/03/2006 22:56

Her expectations just seem to be hugely high. Like I have told her all the curtains have been cleaned, the carpets are done, am in the process of repainting. She still picked fault last time (small chip in door, dp was (and now has) about to repair) various other bits and looks at the place as though we have trashed it. I really want to try and patch paint the white walls in the lounge, as I have already got through one large tin of paint, and so far, the costs of trying to ensure we get our deposit back come to around £50 and a yr old fridge freezer thrown in

OP posts:
CarolineLaLune · 26/03/2006 10:53

that's so unreasonable of her - doesn't the tenancy agreement allow fair wear and tear? (i.e. you're entitled to the whole deposit unless the damage is more than the odd knock).

Caligula · 26/03/2006 11:26

Yep, fair wear and tear is reasonable.

I think they're bringing a new scheme in where deposits can be put in a neutral place so that landlords don't automatically keep them and tenants don't automatically not pay the last month's rent because they know the landlord's going to keep their deposit anyway.

About time too.

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