Can my landlord enter my house without me being present?
Discussion
I'm on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, through an Estate Agent that from time to time write to me and give me notice of an inspection. I have no problem with the inspection, it's only right that the Landlord is kept informed that his property is maintained in a good state of repair.
However, this morning I was due an inspection between 9-1. I had left my 13yo son in bed (still on half term) and went out on an errand returning to home at 0904. To be met with a person on my driveway telling me they had let themselves in and all was good.
Now, my son was a little startled to have some random person stick their head around his bedroom door and my two cats were looking extremely scared when I went in. I appreciate it states in my ASTA that they can let themselves in providing they give 24hours notice, but surely the reasonable thing would have been to knock the door, no reply and call me to ask if it is okay to proceed?
Or have they broken the law? If so, what law?
And not that there is, but what if money had gone missing, or some other valuable?
I'm not comfortable with the agent letting themselves in. Different scenario of course, if I was behind with the rent, or had wrecked the place and done a moonlight flit.
So apart from a strongly worded email to the agent, is the law on my side?
However, this morning I was due an inspection between 9-1. I had left my 13yo son in bed (still on half term) and went out on an errand returning to home at 0904. To be met with a person on my driveway telling me they had let themselves in and all was good.
Now, my son was a little startled to have some random person stick their head around his bedroom door and my two cats were looking extremely scared when I went in. I appreciate it states in my ASTA that they can let themselves in providing they give 24hours notice, but surely the reasonable thing would have been to knock the door, no reply and call me to ask if it is okay to proceed?
Or have they broken the law? If so, what law?
And not that there is, but what if money had gone missing, or some other valuable?
I'm not comfortable with the agent letting themselves in. Different scenario of course, if I was behind with the rent, or had wrecked the place and done a moonlight flit.
So apart from a strongly worded email to the agent, is the law on my side?
Your right you should have been present and a strongly worded email is appropriate.
As to what law if any they have probably breached the contract it would be very tenuous to try and get them on any criminal law. They did have an appointment you just weren’t there. They will no doubt blame it on a junior member of staff.
I presume it was the agent and not the landlord.
As to what law if any they have probably breached the contract it would be very tenuous to try and get them on any criminal law. They did have an appointment you just weren’t there. They will no doubt blame it on a junior member of staff.
I presume it was the agent and not the landlord.
They should have arranged an appointment beforehand. That is absolutely essential in my view, if they've not done that then you're within your right to raise hell for them.
Our estate agent always words it so we either arrange to be there, or arrange a time they can attend and use the key. So my assumption is if we arrange to be there, they aren't bringing a key to let themselves in. I don't know what the procedure is if you've agreed to be there and you're not, but it would be fair to assume they would try and contact you...
Our estate agent always words it so we either arrange to be there, or arrange a time they can attend and use the key. So my assumption is if we arrange to be there, they aren't bringing a key to let themselves in. I don't know what the procedure is if you've agreed to be there and you're not, but it would be fair to assume they would try and contact you...
They did provide the notice of inspection, I have no issue with this. I have issue with the fact they could have called as a matter of courtesy on getting no reply and asking if it was okay to enter the house.
Generally speaking, I love the place, love the fact that if anything goes wrong - heating, boiler, shower, etc all I have to do is get on the phone and it someone else's problem.
Generally speaking, I love the place, love the fact that if anything goes wrong - heating, boiler, shower, etc all I have to do is get on the phone and it someone else's problem.
Mafffew said:
They should have arranged an appointment beforehand. That is absolutely essential in my view, if they've not done that then you're within your right to raise hell for them.
Our estate agent always words it so we either arrange to be there, or arrange a time they can attend and use the key. So my assumption is if we arrange to be there, they aren't bringing a key to let themselves in. I don't know what the procedure is if you've agreed to be there and you're not, but it would be fair to assume they would try and contact you...
Well they did.Our estate agent always words it so we either arrange to be there, or arrange a time they can attend and use the key. So my assumption is if we arrange to be there, they aren't bringing a key to let themselves in. I don't know what the procedure is if you've agreed to be there and you're not, but it would be fair to assume they would try and contact you...
Tyre Smoke said:
They did provide the notice of inspection, I have no issue with this. I have issue with the fact they could have called as a matter of courtesy on getting no reply and asking if it was okay to enter the house.
Generally speaking, I love the place, love the fact that if anything goes wrong - heating, boiler, shower, etc all I have to do is get on the phone and it someone else's problem.
What did the notice say would happen if you were not in, or you (or the person you left in charge of the property, your son) didn't let them it?Generally speaking, I love the place, love the fact that if anything goes wrong - heating, boiler, shower, etc all I have to do is get on the phone and it someone else's problem.
Did your son know they were due at 9?
220s plenty said:
Change the locks - replace the old locks when you leave. LL should have given notice.
Edit - Just re-read they had given notice and they were between times stated. I'd still change the locks.
Don't change the locks. The agent turned up at the stated time, within a few mins, which was notified in advance. Edit - Just re-read they had given notice and they were between times stated. I'd still change the locks.
Edited by 220s plenty on Friday 3rd November 10:09
If I found out the locks were changed in one of my rentals (and I would find out as I ask the agent to check the locks on each inspection), then I'd turf thevtensnts out at the end of the AST whether they wanted a renewal or not. I'd also ask the agent to be picky, when normally I'd let minor stuff go.
OTOH they did turn up a few mins early. I'd email them and point out what happened and suggest they keep to the agreed time next inspection.
There is absolutely no chance of me changing the locks, although I have done that already on the landlords instruction, but that's not relevant.
I've sent them an email pointing out that a quick phone call to me if there was no reply at the door, asking if it was okay to enter would have been polite and the better option than letting themselves in. Which I understand technically they've done nothing wrong, but it would have been better to keep the relationship harmonious.
I've sent them an email pointing out that a quick phone call to me if there was no reply at the door, asking if it was okay to enter would have been polite and the better option than letting themselves in. Which I understand technically they've done nothing wrong, but it would have been better to keep the relationship harmonious.
Jeremy-75qq8 said:
Your cats looked. scared ....
Please get a life! Landlord said he would turn up. He did. You were not there. His house. Let himself in.
I suspect he did ring the bell but your son didn't hear it.
As for the cats ....
Yeah, thanks for your input. Go back to lurking. There's a good chap.Please get a life! Landlord said he would turn up. He did. You were not there. His house. Let himself in.
I suspect he did ring the bell but your son didn't hear it.
As for the cats ....
You knew they were coming. Would your errand not wait for an hour? Also, could've got your son up if you really had to run your errand! Or given the LL / Agent a quick call to advise and ask them to wait outside for 5 - 10mins. As far as they were concerned, you may have forgotten, were trying to avoid them, or were lying unconscious on the floor.
In which case we'd probably have had a thread entitled, 'I was unconscious on the floor and LL/Agent didn't let themselves in for our appointment. I could've died!!'
In which case we'd probably have had a thread entitled, 'I was unconscious on the floor and LL/Agent didn't let themselves in for our appointment. I could've died!!'
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