Landlord removing stuff from property

[newrick]

I live in a shared property (HMO) there are 5 of us in here. It's quite a nice place, we all have our own bedrooms & bathrooms.

It's all furnished by the landlord to a good standard.

 

However,the landlord is in the habit of entering the property, without notice, and removing and or replacing furniture and equipment. The first we know about it is when we arrive home (we all work normal office hours).

 

Today we got back to find that the tv & recorder had disappeared from the living room. There is another tv in the dining room but that's hardly the point. The vacuum cleaner has gone too.

In the past they've changed furniture including beds without any warning and various other stuff has disappeared or been replaced without any reference to us.

Occasionally we return home to find that the living room or dining room has been re-organised. We normally put it back the way it was but it doesn't stop it happening again.

 

Now I know that the landlord is supposed to give notice that they want to come in (they never do) but should they be removing anything without our say so?

 

Oh, and the oven is broken. They've told us it will be repaired but that was about six weeks ago and we're still waiting.

And they constantly leave vehicles parked here.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[pocketstapler]

Contact your local Council and ask for the 'Tenancy Relations Officer' - They can advise you & can talk to your landlord on your behalf - If landlord is non compliant they have the power to prosecute him/her.

Good Luck

[stu007]

Hi newrick

 

The Landlord of the HMO is allowed to go into the property as often as needed, but only into the communal areas.

 

Entering a person's room is not allowed without the tenant's permission unless in an emergency, and he must also give at least 24-hours notice to do so.

 

A tenant is allowed to have quiet enjoyment of the property.

[mariner51]

What proof do you have that LL removed TV & video etc?

I'd be inclined to report disappearance to Police as a theft.

Main factor - has LL updated the inventory to reflect the changes / removals?

Keep dated record of all changes.

[andydd]

What proof do you have that LL removed TV & video etc?

I'd be inclined to report disappearance to Police as a theft.

Main factor - has LL updated the inventory to reflect the changes / removals?

Keep dated record of all changes.

 

Surely the TV belongs to the landlord ?. How could that be theft ?

[mariner51]

"Surely the TV belongs to the landlord ?. How could that be theft ?"

 

The OP does not know that LL took TV, nor I assume was any note left so removed by 'persons unknown'. Students are reknowned for leaving doors open.

[sallypotter]

Change the locks to the outside of the property, front, back and side.

[andydd]

Change the locks to the outside of the property, front, back and side.

 

What !? You cant do that, its the landlord's property !

 

Andy

[Dotty50]

Hi Newrick, have you approached your LL and asked why he feels entitled to do this?

 

Having had a problem a while ago with my son's student house, I am sure I read somewhere that you can change the locks if the LL is abusing your rights but I can't remember where I read it.

 

What does it say in your tenancy agreement about LL's access?

 

If he is doing this on a regular basis, I wouldn't be happy and what's to stop him helping himself to your personal belongings?

[Bang!]

Changing locks is only acceptable outwith HMO, as with HMO the landlord normally has a right of access to the common areas but not the remainder. This is normally stated in most MO tenancy agreements. Internal locks on individual's rooms should not be a problem, and the LL should give notice if wishing to inspect a non common area.

 

However, if the property is let with various facilities in those common areas, then the LL should only replace or improve those facilities.

[citizenB]

If you signed an inventory and things are missing then when you leave the property, you will be responsible.

 

So - you need to find out for sure if it is the Landlord. If not, then you should be reporting the items stolen.