Definition of Landlord entering property without permission?

[schweppes31]

Well our wonderful landlord has decided to have scaffolding put up on the front of the property without bothering to notify anyone. The scaffolding is well over the property line here. Now landlords and their agents are not allowed to enter property without permission... does this include the boundary line? Ie... could a landlord sit around in your front garden without permission or does he only need permission to enter the actual abode?

[DanscoCAB]

I think that is for entering the actual flat/house. If you want to complain speak to CAB or other advice service.

[schweppes31]

Thanks. I've called Environmental Health as they are still putting up the scaffolding. They actually have a young child helping them four storeys up!

[45002]

Well our wonderful landlord has decided to have scaffolding put up on the front of the property without bothering to notify anyone. The scaffolding is well over the property line here. Now landlords and their agents are not allowed to enter property without permission... does this include the boundary line? Ie... could a landlord sit around in your front garden without permission or does he only need permission to enter the actual abode?

 

So the scaffolding outside ? is it for re-tiling the roof,repairs to the outside of the house/flat so on you cant stop LL.

 

Something to do with Your previous thread http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?362576-Problems-with-Landlord&p=3953021&viewfull=1#post3953021 maybe !

 

But I do agree it would have been nice for LL to tell you in advance....

Edited September 10, 2012 by 45002

[schweppes31]

Scaffolding has already been up on one side of the building for literally months - five and counting and no work done. I asked the builders when work was scheduled and they said there was none but that the outside would eventually be painted!

 

The LL is aware we are moving on the 14th and today we have scaffolding put up outside that partially blocks access to the front of the building and stops us from moving out furniture. There was no notification or anything, the first thing I knew was when I walked into my kitchen naked and saw a builder staring back at me.

 

We have no intention of stopping the landlord, simply wondering if this is gaining entry to the property without permission.

 

It blocks access though, wheelie bins are actually trapped by scaffolding now, and parking is blocked too.

[45002]

Scaffolding has already been up on one side of the building for literally months - five and counting and no work done. I asked the builders when work was scheduled and they said there was none but that the outside would eventually be painted!

 

The LL is aware we are moving on the 14th and today we have scaffolding put up outside that partially blocks access to the front of the building and stops us from moving out furniture. There was no notification or anything, the first thing I knew was when I walked into my kitchen naked and saw a builder staring back at me.

 

We have no intention of stopping the landlord, simply wondering if this is gaining entry to the property without permission.

 

It blocks access though, wheelie bins are actually trapped by scaffolding now, and parking is blocked too.

 

I'm sure your find a way out,Good luck...

Edited September 10, 2012 by 45002

[schweppes31]

Er... and we will get the sofas out how? There isn't the space because the scaffolding blocks it. The parking has been taken up by scaffolding that would be used by a removal van etc etc...

[raydetinu]

I would say that this an infringement of your 'quiet enjoyment' covenant and you should put your concerns in writing to the LL, about access etc and see how he responds.

[schweppes31]

It gets worse. I came downstairs this morning and found the front door open and the builders had plugged their tools into the power sockets and were drawing power to carry out work! I immediately unplugged their tools, shut the door, and called the police to report someone had entered the property without permission and I feared if they did not attend there would be a breach of the peace. The police have attended, spoken to me, taken notes, and the builders are now gone insisting it's all the fault of the landlord.

Edited September 13, 2012 by schweppes31

[raydetinu]

It sounds as though the work would be best done when property is empty? unless these are essential repairs, such as leaking roof.

as said put your concerns in writing and detail the infringement.

[schweppes31]

I also had someone from the council come round yesterday to take a statement about the noise the previous day... today the work started at 7am... banging on the bedroom window. I work nights right now. I have reported them to the council again about this - the council say the time to work is 8pm till 6pm. Apparently the builders have to move the scaffolding too as it blocks the entrance, not just any entrance but the main fire exit!

 

Putting things to the landlord in writing won't help with the fact we are moving on the 14th. He has a minimum of 14 days to respond to a letter before claim.

[raydetinu]

at least things are moving on the scaffolding front!

I belive if you dont wont any work done at this time, tell them to leave, you are renting the whole property not just the house, then you could call the police and get the workmen to leave the property as they do not have your permission to be there and you have not had any arrangement with the LL.

The police should tell them to leave as there would be a potential for a breach of the peace.

Depends on how upset or how far you want to take it.

[schweppes31]

I don't mind them doing work to the outside of the house, I don't mind scaffolding, I do mind that we weren't asked, that the scaffolding blocks the entrance, work beyond the allowed hours, that they entered the flat without permission and then started using *our* electricity. The amazing thing is the justification is the landlord told them to. Police will be speaking to the landlord... the builders were under the impression that they had permission to enter. Seems the landlord likes porkies.