Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
RE: Landlord who turns up unannounced and lets himself in if I'm not there (previous forum post).
I have just received a text from my landlord saying "New windows will be fitted in next few weeks i will advise when . Meanwhile please tidy up your room". So, it's good that he has let me know this (athough I am almost certain the notice he gives me will be minimal) but what the hell? I know I am over-sensitive (as mentioned, I suffer from anxiety and depression) but I feel like he's talking to me like crap. I pay to live here! He has said before it's up to me how I live in the flat (which was surprisingly nice of him). I feel so crap about this. I would really appreciate anyone's opinion on this. Am I overreacting? I haven't replied to the message and I'm not sure how to.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by james walsh on
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Reply to landlord 'We know where you park your car at night'.
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Permalink Reply by Haringey Cat on
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Not helpful but thanks anyway. :(
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Fitting new windows is messy, maybe he means clear your stuff out of the way? If he doesn't think he will have much notice asking you to get ready in advance is annoying but kind of understandable. You definitely don't want any of your stuff near the windows as it will get covered in dust and grit...I would stack it in the corner under a dust sheet
I would just reply neutrally and pleasantly, something like "great, thanks for letting me know. I'll make sure room etc tidied in preparation for the work, pls let me know when you have a date so I can be ready"
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Thanks for replying.
This wasn't something he connected with getting the windows fitted. Last time he turned up unannounced he barked at me 'Clean up in here, girl! You don't need to be told!'. Of course I will need to clear space in front of the windows. Unfortunately my bed is up against the wall with the windows and there's almost no space in front of it (it's a small room) so it's going to be difficult but I do understand it's necessary which is why I asked for notice. What I don't get is his sudden dictatorial tone when he'd said before I can keep the flat however I want it.
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He may not be connecting tidying up and the windows but YOU can still chose to connect them. By connecting the two in your response you are changing tidying up from something he can just ask you to do, to a one-off need that is part of the window fitting.
I realise that may not be his point but I doubt he will bother to push it because you are saying yes to tidying up. But at the same time you are not setting a precedent of tidying up as something he can just tell you to do.
If your suspicion is right and he does go on to say something explicit about how you keep the flat you can deal with it then. But don't do his dirty work for him by second guessing him. Whatever you think is going on, ignore it. I am sure there are hundreds of nicer things to think about than what this unpleasant little man is implying so don't waste your valuable headspace on him.
Basically, he can grumble and snark all he wants, but until he tells you there is a problem with how you keep the flat, as far as you are concerned there is no problem.
By not reacting to hints and digs, if there is a problem you are forcing him to him to say so clearly. You want him to say it clearly because will be much easier to deal with once it has been said openly as it will be clearly exceeding his remit as your landlord.
Of course you don't even have to reply to the text. He has give you some information but he hasn't asked a question. If you feel you want to acknowledge it you can just say "Great, thanks" or similar and leave it at that. Just ignore the tidying up stuff completely...it's not required, it's irrelevant. Remember, until he says clearly something is a problem, it's just noise.
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You make a very good point and I think you may be right about the best way to reply. Many thanks for replying! I really appreciate the support.
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Permalink Reply by Abi on
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Agreed, but if I were asking someone to do this for this reason I would probably word it along the lines of "Hello X. We are getting new windows fitted next week. In the meantime, as the workmen will need clear access to the windows in your bedroom, please could you ensure there is no furniture or other items blocking their way. Sorry to have to ask, yours X'.
Not being a star-star-star-star isn't hard.
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I will of course do my best to ensure I clear a good path for the window guy, although the space is extremely limited and I have a bed against the wall with little space to move it to. If that was what he meant by it then I wish he'd said but when I last saw him he very rudely told me to tidy up. No explanation on either occasion. The place isn't disgusting, it's just a bit cluttered but I'm always extremely accommodating when I know work is going to be done in here. I wish he would make the effort not to be an arse.
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someone with a sensible intelligent response!
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I am a landlord myself, albeit having attained this status fairly recently. It's my understanding that a landlord should arrange a mutually covenient time to visit the premises. If this is not possible and the situation is urgent, the landlord may seek to ask your express permission to visit the premises in your absence. S/he should never just turn up unannounced.
As regards the request to tidy your room, this is just nonsense. Unless your are in breach of the terms of your lease - by keeping an animal in the room or by having an ashtray full of smoked fag ends for example, or there is a health & safety issue - and you'd be surprised what people will do in rented accommodation, then the landlord should assume that, at the end of the contract, the room will be in the same condition it was when let, mius reasonable wear and tear.
Personally, I would respond to the landlord by thanking him for his/her efforts in organising the fitting of new windows and, also, asking for as much notice as possible, as you also have a busy life to organise too. I would also mention that you were a little surprised by the request to tidy your room, and if s/he has specific concerns on this front, you'd be more than happy to discuss them in person or on the phone.
Unfortunately, tenants are two a penny at the moment, making it all the more important to establish & maintain a professional and, if possible, friendly relationship with your landlord.
Hope this is of some use, but other people may have alternative advice for you.
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Thanks so much for your reply. I wish I had a landlord like yourself!
I'm very anxious not to create any further animosity. I want to be on good terms with him and have been in the past, even though he has always let himself in to the flat/turned up unannounced ever since I moved in.
Exactly, if he had said he has a safety concern then I would understand but there was no explanation at all and it came across as very rude, both in the text and when I last saw him and he barked at me 'Clean up in here, girl! You don't need to be told!'. How utterly depressing. :(
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i like this paul guys comment, my old landlord used to do this as well just pop buy and let himself in which is just not ok. By law they technically have to give you a weeks notice before coming round and should arrange it with you before hand. You can definitely politely say , i'd appreciate it if you would let me know when you want to pop by and then i could have a chance to clean the flat etc
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