Nosy Landlord

[bctf123]

I have an ok private landlord but he can be very nosy.
He rented me the property because he preferred an individual than a family (who could cause more wear and tear) so I think he might be quite protective over the property
He comes in the property when Im away to check the cameras(he has a feud with the landlord) and I've noticed the bleach bottle was half empty...he must have checked?!
He has also come over on the odd occasion in summer to randomly mow the lawn?
and the other day he came to fix my boiler and threw a couple of bread slices id kept for the birds into the compost fml

Anybody had a similar story...how did you respond

*feud with the neighbour

I don't understand the bit about the cameras and the bleach -

*sorry I meant he'd thrown half a bottle in the toilet(wasnt squeaky clean enough for him?)

ok - now you've clarified the neighbour - I think you can ask him to make arrangements to come to the house rather than just turning up.

You have the right to privacy, he should not be coming over when you are not in, you can change the locks. Have you asked him not to come round and to give you notice if he needs to do essential work or checks.

Change the locks and refuse to give him a key

Whats the feud, are the cameras inside or outside. Call his bluff and tell him someone has been in the flat while you were out, you spoke to the police and citizens advice and they advise you to change the locks.

Yes, I think I'll have to wfh when he's coming round but it doesn't solve the problem of him coming round when Im on holiday and Im a bit miffed with him using my rope to prop up his fence or using my scrap wood to do the same...hmm

how does he even know you're on holiday??

This is a weird thread.

Are you very young? Why do you think it's acceptable for your landlord to come over at all without permission and even then only rarely!

I tell him Im going and I dont mind him keeping an eye but I dont like him checking up on randomly touching my stuff or using it, even if it does have a nominally low value

Make sure there's no cameras in the house op

Why do you tell him you are going on holiday, why does he need to keep an eye, if your flat is not safe then move out. It sounds a very strange arrangement, scrap wood and a piece of rope are the least of the problems.

He should be giving you 24 hours notice and requesting your permission to enter the property.

I would remind him of that.

It is categorically not okay for him to turn up when he likes and enter the property.

Feuds with neighbours etc are nothing to do with you and the property is currently yours and not for him to have access to.

Of course he shouldn’t be taking it upon himself to enter the property or to touch your bleach and your bread or anything else.

It sounds like he has trouble with boundaries and in either grasping or thinking the law applies to him.

I assume you have all the correct contracts, right to rent booklet, gas cert etc. Regardless, I would email or write to him telling him that you are not comfortable with him coming round on a regular basis. In future as the law requires you expect 24 hours notice of intent and reason and that you okay the time. Point out his visits should be infrequent.

If you have allowed or even encouraged this ‘agreement’ whereby he turns up randomly and enters the property, you need to make clear that you’ve rethought it and are not comfortable with it.

Your commentary on the matter is very confusing and vague. I wonder if the arrangement you have with him is very informal and little if anything is written down. This is. It the way it should be and having everything done legally and it all written down protects you both. Notice of visits and the importance of you having the right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ of the property you pay for, should all be written down to avoid any doubt.

No this stops. My landlord will not even come into our apartment unless I specifically invite him in. It is your home and he must allow you to live in it.

I would be looking for another property. You're allowed to live in peace, it sounds like he's not allowing that. I once had a similar landlord, I felt like I was her lodger and that it wasn't my home. She was a nightmare. I should have took legal action but I didn't want to deal with it so we moved and where we are now feels like our home.

We like to visit rented property about once a year to check all is OK with property BUT we notify tenant at least 2 weeks ahead & mutually arrange a suitable time
Its my property but their home & we have the responsibility to make sure its safe & maintained properly

(Assuming you are in England) its worth looking at the information on the Shelter website england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting

I would contact in writing him stating you have the right to use the flat without unnecessary interference and that you consider his unannounced visits to be contrary to this. Also that you need at least 24 hours notice of any visits (this should be specified in your tenancy agreement: quote the section number of the tenancy). Shelter have sample wording at england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/what_to_say_if_your_landlord_turns_up_without_permission or contact them . This should remind him of his responsibilities which should stop it. If not report him to the council/ the police.

Ultimately he seems a bit unhinged and so I would be looking for somewhere else

Where are the cameras? I’d be turning them off. Do you have a problem with your neighbour? If not then no need for cameras.

Stop telling him you’re going on holiday.

Pull him up every time about things like bleach or bread - he shouldn’t be touching your stuff.