Tenant has changed locks, gone away and left lights on.

[Brightonhome]

New tenant is two months in to a six month let (to be extended after 6 months) No issues before, although he does have a weird habit of leaving all the lights on all the time (the property we let to him is visible from our house). He has a regular job, and it's his electricity bill, but I still find it a bit odd. He has been away for at least a couple of weeks now with all the lights still on. I sent him a nice text asking him if he would mind me going in and turning the lights off (concerned about overheating / electrical problem) I waited for two days with no answer. I then went over there, thinking he may be ill, to discover he has changed the locks (as is his right) but without telling me. As the owner of the property, I feel a bit uneasy about this. Don't I have the right to a set of keys? I would never enter the property without the tenant's consent, but in the case of an emergency, there is nothing I can do without keys. Not sure what to do now re lights. Am I being overly cautious and worried over nothing? I've been letting this property for six years (two different tenants in that time) with absolutely no problems whatsoever. I have always had keys.

[reallyanotherone]

I told my dh about this today. The first thing he said was "is she sure they're not growing cannabis in there". He thought it was very plausible, coupled with the locks being changed - the tenant is obviously trying to stop people getting in. And he made the good point that the way it smells when growing is rather different to the smell when being smoked!

A man has spoken. We are all wrong and should make him a cup of tea and do the washing up.

Ffs. And they say we don't need feminism.

[DianaMemorialJam]

really
one what was he even doing in there?! What a freak.

[OneWithTheForce]

He was there to assert his rights over my parking spaces which he also feels are his rather than mine. He has boundary issues

[PlayingGrownUp]

Why don't you give him a text saying that you've noticed the lights have been on for quite some time and is everything ok? If you get no answer in a week call the police and advise that you've tried to contact him and you're concerned - do they mind doing a welfare check. If he was away apologise and say you were concerned, does he mind letting you know if he goes away for more than x weeks? If there's a problem you've been very neighbourly and hopefully he's ok.

[Gallavich]

the tenant is obviously trying to stop people getting in

I missed that line! The cheeky cunt, trying to stop people getting in his house when he's not there! Who does he think he is?

[DianaMemorialJam]

But One, if his arguement is that you don't own the property... He doesn't either!

He sounds unhinged. But you MUST NOT change the locks incase you leave the radio on and everyone thinks you're dead or dealing heroin.

[OneWithTheForce]

Silly Man! Clearly didn't read the clause that stated his home was public property because he was just a tenant and not a real person with any rights to privacy or anything like that.

[OneWithTheForce]

He is definitely unhinged. He blocked my sister's car (parked on the public road!) in last night and told her he could park where he liked because his uncle built these houses.

[DianaMemorialJam]

Wow... Just wow.

Call 101?
Cancel the cheque?
Have a spa day?

...damn I've got nothing.

[OneWithTheForce]

Oh the police have already been round and told him to back off. Sister was on the phone to them again last night when he eventually moved his car.

[DianaMemorialJam]

Excellent! He sounds truely deranged. Does your ll know what he's been up to?

[OneWithTheForce]

She does. She has met him and has a fair idea of what he is like. He even reported me to her and asked her to tell me where to park. He told her I was parking on his space. She contacted me about it and thankfully I had the forethought to take plenty of photos because somehow, I knew I would need them. She is now in no doubt about who the problem is.

[DianaMemorialJam]

Jesus. Would she have to disclose neighbour disputes if you left and she rented it out to someone else?

[OneWithTheForce]

Not sure about that, I know she would have to disclose if she sold the house but don't think she does if it's a new tenant.

[VocalDuck]

My parents came round to my house one evening and got a text message from their neighbour saying she assumed they were away so she had used the spare key they left with her (for emergencies) and gone in to turn some lights on and close the curtains! She has now become a landlord and I really pity the tenant!

[WhiskyIrnBru]

Lord. This makes me so glad my landlord isn't as overly invested in my electricity usage. OP, I think living so close probably clouds your view on it.

[DianaMemorialJam]

One she's lucky then, otherwise no one would touch it with a barge pole eh

[OneWithTheForce]

Yep! I'm hoping he gets so frustrated with me living in my own home that he moves away

[DianaMemorialJam]

Haha you never know. He might get bored of breaking into your garden and fancy a change of scenery !

[OneWithTheForce]

Yes perhaps he'll decide to expand his territory and move on to the other neighbours!

[Gallavich]

onewith when I moved into my (rented) house the neighbours immediately started complaining to my letting agents about my terrible crimes, including having a child that made noise in the garden while playing, owning a van and having a partner who was foreign. They even called the police once. Eventually after 3 years of calculatedly hating us from behind their net curtains they sold their house got nice neighbours now and we still here

[OneWithTheForce]

how inconsiderate of you to not move out instantly!

[HyacinthsBucket]

I think your concern is very kind, well meant and I would also be quite concerned too. To leave every light on is a bit weird, and more than most people would do when they are going away unless there was a power cut before they left!! Was there any sign of post etc to indicate he hasn't been home? Or did you ask the immediate neighbours if they've seen him? If it went past 3 weeks, I'd be tempted to phone 111 and just show concern over the lights and the fact he's not responded to you and see what they advise.

[limitedperiodonly]

Is this the place with the lights on?

[Squidgems]

I've only read the first and last few pages of this thread and I can't believe the tone, vitriol and foul language (there is never an excuse for the use of the C word) that some have used in their responses to the Op's genuine request for advice.

Whether the person is or is not in the wrong with their actions, there is no need for this thread to have run to 10 pages in practically bludeoning the Op over the head telling them how awful they are!

I would hope that the moderators will close the thread to further comments as the point of the vast majority of respondents has well and truly been made.

The Op may or may not