HELP: Visitors in my flat - landlord doesnt allow

Marta123 · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Leeds

Hello,

I live in a building which has has 2 flats (the landlord lives in the other flat).

I have a contract through an agency and pay the rent on a montly basis. I also pay my own bills.

My boyfriend lives in his house (away from mine) but come and visit me sometimes.

The landlord just told me that my boyfriend should not come and visit many times? I do not make any disturbance to him and his family.

Is this legal what he is saying? How many times should I have visitors staying in? Is there any rule for visitors? There is nothing stated in the contract about visitors…

Obviously he can see when I have visitors as he lives next to me and owns the whole building.

The reason I stopped sharing is because I am fed up of people controlling my life and folowing me (and therefore losing my privacy) and therefore I am now decided to live by my own.

Please let me know how should I approach the landlord or the agency in case the landlord says something again.

Mta123

QMS

jingjang · Joined: 10 May 2008 Posts: 1

What you landlord does is illegal. Stopping tenant from having guests is qualified as harassment.
You can find more information about this here: http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-7352.cfm#wipLive-25823-1

Marta123 · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Leeds

Jingjang and QMS,
Thank you so much for your replies!!! It is such a support.

I just wondering if it is ok for people to come and stay for a few days or even a week…
Is this legal? For example my boyfriend pays all rent, taxes and bills for his house (away from mine).
Is there a minimum overnight stay for visitors in my flat?

Also the landlord dont want me to give the keys to visitors to use my flat when I am not at home (during the day when I am working). And what can I do, people need to go out for fresh air!!!

And yes, it is my name in the contract only, and therefore I know that I am the one liable for everything that happen in the flat! I also do not make any noise, etc... (I am very quiet person)

Let me know what do you think.

Many thanks

Marty123

KingstonLongjohn · Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 2

Hi, sorry to hear of your problem. Perhaps you should ask the Landlord why he does not like you having your boyfriend visit, then you might be in a better position to object to his interference.

There is no reason why you can not have visitors and I don't believe the Landlord can prevent this.

My guess is the Landlord suspects the boyfriend stays overnight and since he is not on the tenancy agreement then you would be in breach of the agreement. The flat is let to one not two people.

As for the keys - well as a Landlord myself I'd be concerned about this, be careful is all I can say and good luck.

Marta123 · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Leeds

Dear Kingston Long John,

Many thanks for your reply.

I understand that it is only me in the tenancy agreement. but...does this means that people cannot stay in my house for some nights? As long as they are not damaging the property?...

He is saying that he is concern about my friends as he doesnt know them. But this is a risk when you rent to someone, isnt? I trust from my hearth anyone that it is visiting me, as they are all great people that I know for years. (in this perspective he doesnt know me too anyway)

The only problem is that he is spying me all the time and even know when people is coming.

Also the landlord went to my house (without telling me in advance) when I wasnt there for letting a worker to read the meters. He should have told me or not open the door in first place! I had money, credit cards, and bank accounts slips and other personal stuff in my living room. It is very unconfortable to know that someone went there without notice. Is this permitted under the law? I could arrange a visit/timings with the meter company myself.

...just little problems that are startint to annoying me (and i am paying a big rental charge for this flat! I dont think is right)

Let me know what do you think...

Big cheers,
Marty

bigblueeyes · Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 66

to marta,
if you have let this flat through an agency then really you should deal with them, whether or not the landlord lives there, if you have a separate front door he has no right to enter without 48 hours notice. Unless in an emergency (fire, flood etc). report him to the agency. he can not demand you have no visitors the only exception as far as i am aware is if you are in receipt of housing benefit and you have someone staying for more than 2 nights a week.
if it continues though i'd consider looking for another place!

bobbins · Joined: 26 Jan 2008 Posts: 16

Basically, it's down to what would be "reasonable" in the eyes of a judge.

Having your boyfriend to stay for two or three nights a week is no problem.
Having him to stay for prolonged periods might be.
Remember, you do not own the house, and when the landlord agreed to rent it to you it was on the basis of one occupant. If he'd have known that it was going to practically become two occupants then he might have wanted to charge more rent, or not rent it to you at all.

It's entirely up to the landlord whether he allows you to invite what is in effect another occupant.

Cov · Joined: 03 Aug 2007 Posts: 2047 Location: London

Sorry if I may sound too rude, but this conversation makes me feel sick.

The bills for renting a flat are being paid by the tenant.
The tenant has the responsibility to look after the flat and use it in a reasonable way.

From my point of view the landlord should seek professional help because he hasn't got a life.
This story only confirms to me what I already knew.
Never ever, under no circumstances, move together with the landlord. In this case the landlord is a neighbour - not much better.

Entering the flat without prior permission of the tenant, that is typical landlord thinking. He gets the rent on time and in full, but still thinks the flat is his ... and the tenant belongs to him too.

Someone may let him know that slavery was abolished 1807.
If he has difficulties adapting he would have to attend 3 months Boot Camp. That will change his attitude and plant some respect in his brain.

This society has given landlords the oportunity to gather property.
Some of them collect houses like other collect stamps.
Once you're over the hurdle, more money comes like metal to a magnet.
Not right in my eyes, because wealth is not divided fairly.

Or can you tell me that you need more than one bed to sleep well ?
Or can you tell me you need more food than your stomach can take ?
Or can you tell me that you deserve respect not for who you are, but for what you have ?

But the rules in our pathetic society are different. We're living in the age of lies. Yeah, that's right. 90% of all people I meet are liars most of the time. That makes me feel sick too ... every day.

*marge* · Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 3

My guess is the Landlord suspects the boyfriend stays overnight and since he is not on the tenancy agreement then you would be in breach of the agreement. The flat is let to one not two people.

Why would her boyfriend need to be on the agreement - only one adult needs to be on the agreement - he certainly wouldnt need to be on the agreemen if he is just staying over for the night??