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Original poster

Abusive landlord!

27 replies

YRose123 · 17/05/2020 17:57

Hi just want some advice on what I should do about my landlord...

Have been in my property for 3 years, never had a problem. 2018 my mum and dad was staying at my house with my 2 kids baby sitting...I was away for the night. My dad had accidentally locked himself out of the house when letting the dog out for a wee in the morning.
My mum is a type 1 diabetic and collapsed and was unconscious as she went into a hypo. My landlord had no spare key when he was informed (I was a ferry away so couldn't get there in time) and my dad was left with no choice but to call the emergency services to break in and see to my mum and children...the front door was broken into within seconds.

So the door has been left locked as the anti theft mechanism was activated so I've been unable to use the door for 2 years and just use my other door. At the time I messaged landlord and said I'm sorry for the inconvenience etc and that I will get the door looked at and fixed.

Time has gone on and yes..I admitted liability but unfairly as it was an emergency situation. My landlord come round to have a look at the door about 3 weeks ago with a friend. In lockdown. I was on my own with my kids. And he was very verbally abusive towards me. Swearing at me continuously shouting over me whilst I was sat down saying that I said I was going to get it fixed and questioning if the situation was even true...half my neighbours were outside looking at the fire brigade so it's not a sick lie. My mum went into a diabetic coma.

He was continuously shouting at me infront of his male friend to the point I said please don't shout at my my children are upstairs and I was shaking and my stomach was in knots. I felt very uneasy and tried to explain I will repair the doors as soon as I could.

He wrote me a text saying not to carry out any repairs until I had received a formal email from him.

Just opened it and it's literally him saying he 'politely said I should have fixed the door' this was NOT the case. Swearing and shouting?..

And he's now said after saying I'm not allowed to fix it that he will send me an invoice of the cost of repairs that need to be done and I have 30 days to pay it to him otherwise he will take my deposit and I will be liable for extra cost. He always stated he finds it irresponsible leaving children with someone who has a medical condition...which I think is outrageous!!!! She's diabetic. Works 50 hours a week, fully independent 45 year old. And my dad was here. And he will be inspecting the house regularly when lockdowns lifted. And said I'm not allowed to reply unless I have evidence supporting what I say. He said any future repairs will need to be put in writing and to contact him to get them looked at immediately, I have evidence stating broken fences that blew over in the storm in February..and repeating myself asking when they will be repaired...still hasn't done it. I had a broken washing machine, I waited nearly a month for him to just order a part to be delivered and my boyfriend had to fit it!

I'm very angry, and I don't know what rights I have as a tennant. I just need some advice because I'm really distressed I've paid rent every month I've lived here for 3 years and I'm not happy about him getting away with the way he spoke to me..

Any advice please?

OP posts:
HappyHammy · 17/05/2020 18:05

Its been 2 years now. The insurance may cover it but sometimes they dont if its been an emergency entry. How long was your dad out for if your mum became unconscious. There should be a report from the fire brigade if he wants proof. He shouldn't have shouted but the door needs fixing to be secure and able to be a fire exit.

InfiniteSheldon · 17/05/2020 18:11

You broke the door you should have fixed it the rest is appalling but the door is your responsibility

LochJessMonster · 17/05/2020 18:12

You damaged his property (albeit in an emergency) and haven't fixed it in 2 years! Hence why he’s now repairing it himself.
He’s probably shitting himself at what state the rest of the house is in.

The story does sound suspicious sorry, at the exact time your dad locks himself out your mum collapses inside?

MadeForThis · 17/05/2020 18:34

You should have fixed the door. It's not his responsibility that it was broken.

He shouldn't shout and swear, especially if children are present.

But the door is your responsibility. If you haven't fixed it after 2 years he's probably within his rights to fix it and bill you for the work. You had plenty of time to arrange a repair.

Shuttup · 18/05/2020 07:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatherineJaneway · 18/05/2020 07:20

FGS you broke the door then didn’t fix it for two years. I’d be pretty pissed off as well.

Have to agree. You said you'd get it looked at and fixed but haven't bothered in 2 years. No he shouldn't have shouted and sworn but I can understand why he is so angry.

Winnipegdreamer · 18/05/2020 14:31

If you had fixed the door then there wouldn’t have been any issue surely?🤔

mencken · 18/05/2020 15:00

he is right to be pissed off, although shouting and swearing isn't on. Why haven't you fixed the damage that you caused (admittedly in an emergency) for two years?

you don't have to let him in unless it is an emergency.

of course you pay the rent, not relevant. if you don't know your rights as a tenant, you should read the how to rent guide for your part of the UK - it is on gov.uk if you weren't given a copy.

bloodywhitecat · 18/05/2020 15:09

He should be more professional than to shout and swear at you but why haven't you had the door fixed, it is your responsibility not his, what makes you think it is not your problem?

Smallgoon · 18/05/2020 20:08

Landlord shouldn't have shouted and sworn but he's obviously pissed off that two years later, the door isn't fixed.

Original poster
YRose123 · 25/05/2020 15:01

I'm just going to clear up a couple of questions...

So people saying it's 'suspicious' about my mum collapsing...

She's type 1 diabetic..my dad heard my children saying 'nanny and won't wake up'...this is because my mums Sugar levels drop so low that she slipped into a diabetic coma..this is all on record as well at the doctors and hospital for proof that this happened and also the fire brigade..

And yes it has taken two years, but I hold my hands up I've not been in a financial position to do so UNTIL NOW.

I said to him I will get it repaired...I had a quote of £279 to get it done...and said are you ok if I go ahead and do it and he said no..

Why would he say no?...

And also I spoke to citezens advice and they said unless I'm planning to leave the property any repairs or damages don't need to be done. Until I leave.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 25/05/2020 15:11

Then write him an email saying what Citizens Advice said - that you will repair the door according to law before leaving

I would stick to the law, take advice from shelter about inspections - only allow them if they give proper notice etc

Record him when he's round or don't be in - call the police if he threatens you

DartmoorChef · 25/05/2020 15:14

Your parents should be helping towards the cost of this repair. In fact they should be paying it all.

TeaAndHobnob · 25/05/2020 15:19

Why hasn't your dad paid for the door to be fixed?

It was his fault, he locked himself out. He's left his daughter and grandchildren in an unsafe house for two years!

GemmeFatale · 25/05/2020 15:26

Honestly, as a former landlord I’d be concerned about the state of the rest of it and would have given you your notice when it became obvious you didn’t intend to fix the damage in a timely manner.

Smallgoon · 25/05/2020 18:37

@YRose123 And also I spoke to citezens advice and they said unless I'm planning to leave the property any repairs or damages don't need to be done. Until I leave.

Fairly certain if it's a security issue (which sounds like it is if front door is damaged) then it should be repaired fairly soon.

I said to him I will get it repaired...I had a quote of £279 to get it done...and said are you ok if I go ahead and do it and he said no..

Why would he say no?...

With all due respect to you, but the fact that it's taken you two years, as a landlord, I'd be worried that you would pay any old cowboy to now get it done. I'd want to manage this myself as he has now requested.

@DartmoorChef Your parents should be helping towards the cost of this repair. In fact they should be paying it all.

Why? They were doing her a favour. I wouldn't expect my parents to pay for the damage in those circumstances.

Original poster
YRose123 · 25/05/2020 18:50

I have written an email stating all of this..and my landlord has never said he's unhappy with the way the house is...I've redone the entire kitchen and flooring, I've built a decking area and brought fence panels in the garden to make it enclosed and he's always said he's been made up. He knows I am a very well presented person that takes pride in the house and respects it.

And I am not paying someone dodgy to do it at all..I have given him the locksmith company name and said I will send an invoice...it's to completely replace the door with a brand new one with a 10 year warranty...so how is that dodgy?

OP posts:
Smallgoon · 25/05/2020 19:20

Well I'm sorry, but you have to accept that it was your responsibility to fix the door two years ago. If you were having financial difficulties, you could have at least kept him informed. He was unaware that the door hadn't been repaired, until he himself visited the property. Take some responsibility for your actions. Clearly he is annoyed, and clearly he would now like ownership of getting the door to his property repaired.

MooseBeTimeForSummer · 25/05/2020 19:34

Wouldn’t having a faulty door invalidate any insurance?

MrMeSeeks · 25/05/2020 20:12

Sorry op but no wonder he’s upset! It’s been 2 years! He’s probably worried this will ruin his insurance!

GemmeFatale · 25/05/2020 22:21

So you’ve chosen to prioritise fencing, flooring, kitchen and decorating over Repairing damage and securing the property?

Smallgoon · 25/05/2020 22:27

Is it normal for somebody to have 'redone the entire kitchen' of a rented property? Did you cover the cost of this?

DonnaDarko · 25/05/2020 22:46

I am a tenant, too, have been renting for over a decade, and I think I'm on your landlords side.

It's not right for him to have yelled at you but 2 years to not get a basic repair done is ridiculous.if you couldn't afford it, you should have spoken to him sooner and made arrangements.

Funny how you had the money to do up the house, but not to fix the door.

KatherineJaneway · 26/05/2020 06:32

I've redone the entire kitchen and flooring, I've built a decking area and brought fence panels in the garden to make it enclosed

But have left a busted front door for over or 2 years.

Why? They were doing her a favour. I wouldn't expect my parents to pay for the damage in those circumstances.

They caused the lock to need to be broken = they pay.

Original poster
YRose123 · 26/05/2020 10:02

@Smallgoon this was before the incident when my partner lived with me...since the incident I deprecated from my partner and I'm a single parent to two children which my landlord was informed of because I had him round for a cuppa to explain I'm now on my own and he changed my tenancy and removed my partner for me.

And like I have said numerous times that I have said I will get it done and he's said no so what am I supposed to do if he now won't let me?

OP posts:
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