The Curious Incident of the Measuring Tape in the Morning

[lukey]

Hmm, this thread will be banal even by DS standards, but I have decided to not let that stop me.

I woke up this morning to realise there was a man in my bedroom. To clarify, there was not an empty bottle of vodka and three broken condoms by my bed, but rather a metal measuring tape and some mention of measuring for new carpets. When he realised I was slightly disgruntled by this clumsy advance, he left. I feel cheap, and annoyed that I have also inadvertently possibly delayed the replacement of my threadbare carpet.

What I'm trying to get at is, can landlords really let themselves, or contractors in without giving me any prior warning? I've heard vague '24 hour notice' type things in the past, which apparently can be ignored in case of emergency, but it just seems a bit rubbish that anyone can wander in no matter how compromising a - position - I may be in.

Discuss.

[Sput]

They are supposed to give you some sort of warning about needing access to the property. Most of the time they're given keys but you're still supposed to be told. Were you the only one there? He probably shouldn't have tried measuring up with a slumbering bluetooth user in the vicinity. That's not classy.

[Gavin Scott]

Hmm, this thread will be banal even by DS standards, but I have decided to not let that stop me.

I woke up this morning to realise there was a man in my bedroom. To clarify, there was not an empty bottle of vodka and three broken condoms by my bed, but rather a metal measuring tape and some mention of measuring for new carpets. When he realised I was slightly disgruntled by this clumsy advance, he left. I feel cheap, and annoyed that I have also inadvertently possibly delayed the replacement of my threadbare carpet.

What I'm trying to get at is, can landlords really let themselves, or contractors in without giving me any prior warning? I've heard vague '24 hour notice' type things in the past, which apparently can be ignored in case of emergency, but it just seems a bit rubbish that anyone can wander in no matter how compromising a - position - I may be in.

Discuss.

Do you have a lease? If so I'm utterly outraged on your behalf.

Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 1988, your landlord has no right of access, presumed or otherwise, without notice. In the case of emergency access (such as fire/flood/gas/electric) this would be overlooked by a Court; but having a carpet fitted is NOT an emergency, not under any stretch.

You could take him/her/them to court for this, and any Judge would take an extremely dim view of your landlord's behaviour.

It really depends on you how you decide to proceed. At the very least you should write to your landlord (recorded delivery) pointing out that they are in breach of the undernoted act. This way you have a record and evidence for recourse later should they get stroppy about it.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/housing/leaflets/rtis-00.asp

Whilst you pay the rent, the property is yours. Who comes and goes is a matter for you.

My landlady is a dear friend and she knows full well she cannot gain access to the property without consulting me first.

Terrible behaviour.

[lukey]

It's only slightly complicated by the fact that last Friday (while I happened to be away for the weekend) my landlord did text me an hour or so before sending someone around to measure other carpets (the stairs, rather than the bedrooms) - which was fine, but I don't really think sending someone round to finish the job almost a week later can really be considered one 'event' worthy of only one notification.

My landlord is normally pretty good, so I'm willing to consider it a stupid oversight this time, and will let him know that I don't particularly want randoms floating around in future, without warning.

[Stuart*]

I have a property which is rented out and neither myself or my sister (the co-owner) would even attempt to gain access without notifying the tenant. I'm not certain whether that's a legal requirement under English Law, but it's certainly a matter of common courtesy from a moral standpoint.

I certainly wouldn't give a contractor keys for them to access the premises on their own. I'm sure that would place me on very dodgy ground if anything of the tenant's were to go missing or get damaged.

Even though the contractor had keys, surely he should have knocked first, or at least shouted after gaining entry to satisfy himself that nobody was at home. At least you were in bed, but imagine the horror and embarassment if you had stepped semi-naked out of the bathroom after a shower to be confronted by some stranger in your home?

[Gavin Scott]

It's only slightly complicated by the fact that last Friday (while I happened to be away for the weekend) my landlord did text me an hour or so before sending someone around to measure other carpets (the stairs, rather than the bedrooms) - which was fine, but I don't really think sending someone round to finish the job almost a week later can really be considered one 'event' worthy of only one notification.

My landlord is normally pretty good, so I'm willing to consider it a stupid oversight this time, and will let him know that I don't particularly want randoms floating around in future, without warning.

Well that puts a different complexion on it. You should still have had some notice about the follow up visit, but its easier to understand why your landlord might think of it as an "ongoing" issue.

A causal word to the landlord - perhaps even suggesting that you were caught unawares naked in bed - would make the point I'm sure. You might want to ask for the fitter to liaise directly with you for the installation of the carpet.

I have a property which is rented out and neither myself or my sister (the co-owner) would even attempt to gain access without notifying the tenant. I'm not certain whether that's a legal requirement under English Law, but it's certainly a matter of common courtesy from a moral standpoint.

"Morals" don't come into it. I think you mean "courtesy". And yes - English law is the same when it comes to enshrined rights for tenants.

Nonetheless you should really familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of being a landlord, since you're lucky enough to be one.

[Stuart*]

"Morals" don't come into it. I think you mean "courtesy".

I thought that's what I'd said.

Nonetheless you should really familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of being a landlord, since you're lucky enough to be one.

I do, when the need arises, which isn't very often.

[Lorns]

Hmm, this thread will be banal even by DS standards, but I have decided to not let that stop me.

I woke up this morning to realise there was a man in my bedroom. To clarify, there was not an empty bottle of vodka and three broken condoms by my bed, but rather a metal measuring tape and some mention of measuring for new carpets. When he realised I was slightly disgruntled by this clumsy advance, he left. I feel cheap, and annoyed that I have also inadvertently possibly delayed the replacement of my threadbare carpet.

What I'm trying to get at is, can landlords really let themselves, or contractors in without giving me any prior warning? I've heard vague '24 hour notice' type things in the past, which apparently can be ignored in case of emergency, but it seems a bit rubbish that anyone can wander in no matter how compromising a - position - I may be in.

Discuss.

No they cannot, even squatters have rights. In England that is. You should have had some sort of written notice. That is bang out order.

[Gavin Scott]

No they cannot, even squatters have rights. In England that is. You should have had some sort of written notice. That is bang out order.

Squatters shouldn't have rights; but thats a conversation for another day.

[Philip Cobbold]

I had a similar situtation a few weeks ago, where my Landlord let himself into the house along with some people he was showing round. He didn't even knock first, and just strode straight in. Scared the life out of me, as I thought he was a burgular.