HELP: Visitors in my flat - landlord doesnt allow

Marta123 · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 12 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: 12 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: 12 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: 68

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: 2170 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??

yvonner · Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 4

I have no experience of contracts for renting out complete flats but I do know that with a rent-a-room scheme the owner of the house has the right to stipulate 'no visitors' although some may allow visitors in if asked. It has to be acknowledged that a rent-a-room is in someone else's home - they will be living there too, references are usually required and rent is for one person's stay and use of fuel and available amenities unless otherwise agreed. The rooms may not be used for running businesses.

Most ads on a rentaroom scheme will state whether visitors are permitted or not but it is best to ask before making an arrangement to move in. Formal written contracts are not usually in place for this but emails are a usual reference so it is best to correspond even at length about rented rooms and keep the messages as reference should there be any dispute about terms agreed informally. A rentaroom landlord can ask a guest to leave at very short notice and for reasons such as family needing to move in etc. It is a situation best suited to people with another home elsewhere who maybe want temp accomodation for the duration of a course or employment contract but may also be very long term.

flybynight · Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 34 Location: Pimlico

Just write to your Landlord stating that you have occasional overnight visitors, but that nobody is staying with you on a permanent basis. That's all he needs to know. There are historical reasons for this tenancy clause to do with possessiary rights over the property.

In the same letter state that he has breached the tenancy agreement by accessing the property without giving 24 hours notice. As that the letting agent hold all other keys to the property, & that these are properly secured. Warn that you will take action if there is a repeat infringement of your rights.

Tony Orlando · Joined: 01 Sep 2008 Posts: 1

As you are the only person on the tenancy agreement, then the landlord doesn't expect others to be staying there on a regular basis.

As a landlord myself I can see where he is coming from.
I always state that if people want others visiting staying over regularly then the rent will be more because it then becomes more than just one person living there. There are many dodgy lodgers out there as well as dodgy landlords which is something you learn. Lending keys out is a no no as far as landlords are concerned. He might think you're subletting etc.

A tip I would give to potential tenants is ask a million questions before deciding where to live. I often have people choosing a place instantly but without asking enough questions about houserules etc.
Don't take things for granted.

If you want to have your boyfriend staying around regularly why not move in somewhere together and save rent and play it straight with the landlord.

Bluey · Community Moderator Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Posts: 4754

As far as I am concerned, tenants are legally entitled to have guests as often as they wish (preferably with the consent of other flat mates if the property is shared).

There are often clauses in contracts which sensibly make the tenant responsible for the conduct of the guest. I can't see why a landlord should charge tenants extra for guests who have a primary residence somewhere else. If the extra body costs the occupants more in bills, it doesn't impact on the landlord as the tenant is responsible for them.

This is entirely different from subletting where new tenants move in permanently without the knowledge and consent of the landlord which is wrong. It's also different for lodgers who share the property with the owner where house rules should be in place and be respected.

Marta123 · Joined: 26 Sep 2007 Posts: 12 Location: Leeds

Guys,

Thank you so much for the help: you have been really great!

I hope your advices also helps others, whilst reading this.

I am now leaving the place as I dont feel confortable having a landlord spying me all the time and entering my property without my consent (another little issue as well!)

Why am I paying for this? No way! Had enough!

Cheers for the help! (I am now trying to get out of the place without problems... let's see)

...and find another one in central Leeds.

Marty