Landlord & access

[feebee102]

Hi ABers

Just a question on my sons behalf.

My son & his girlfriend moved into their first flat together. It is privatley rented out not through an agency. They have a rent book etc.

Anyways a few weeks ago while his girlfriend was in the bath she heard voices. She was unsure if they where outside the door of the bathroom or in the entrance porch ( level with bathroom window). THe one voice belonged to the landlord. She yelled out that she was in the bath & their landlord said that he was only coming to see about fitting the new shower. He said he would come back later.

He arranged to have the workmen to come this next Monday ( Friday today) to measure up for this shower. Charlotte came back this afternoon & was walking down the entrance way when she came across the two men who where coming to see about the shower, Charlotte stated it was lucky she had come back home when she did so she could let then in to which they replied it didn't matter as the landlord had given them a set of keys.

My question are :-

1. Is the landlord allowed to enter their flat when he wants without prior warning ( I know he can do checks on the condition of the flat)

2. How do they stand with complete strangers being given keys to the flat.

3. Should they had been given any notification that the men where actually going today instead of Monday.

They both really love the flat but Charlotte is now very worried as she is there quite a lot during the day on her own, and is frigtened that she could be in bed or in the shower etc and have someone walk in on her. Also they are both worried about their possesions as they often leave money, jewelry lying around.

They don't want to cause any nastiness but as this is their first flat they don't know their rights as to what is or what is not exceptable access by the landlord.

Many thanks.

[AlBags]

Another flat?!!

See other question!

[muchlovex]

Usually, a LL has to give about 48 - 24 hours notice to the tenant, even if this is for workmen.

She would need to check her tenancy agreement as it would state in there how much notice the LL must give.

Let me know what the TA says.

[sandyRoe]

Could they change the locks? Say that they don't like the idea of former tenants having keys.

[muchlovex]

Who would change locks, Sandy?

A tenant would not be allowed to do that and if this is done, the LL would be entitled to take monies out of their deposit. In short, they would need approval from LL if she wanted to change locks.

[sandyRoe]

It's a simple matter to change the barrel in a Yale type lock. When they gave up the tenancy they could replace the old lock.
There's a shop in a student area near where I live and every Autumn their windows are plastered with signs advertising their lock-changing service.

[Hazel104]

Regardless of the of what the TA says, the landlord cannot enter the property without permission from he tenant - they have a right to quiet enjoyment and that outweighs the TA in legal terms, emergencies aside.

The tenant can change the locks as long as they return them to their original state before they leave. Personally I would discuss the problem with the landlord, if they do not agree I would change the locks.

[muchlovex]

The LL would need to provide either 24-48 hour notice to the tenant (check TA for confirmation of this).

If tenant does not allow access after that notice period, then LL does have a right to access property. But clearly, in this case, the LL has not provided adequate notice.

I would discuss with LL before changing any locks, as the LL would not be happy about that.

[muchlovex]

sorry, I forgot to say re changing the locks issue. Discuss with LL first as you don't want to have a bad tenant/landlord relationship.