Gah!: Property Agents!!

Thanks guys!

It is scary, the way they do these things, isn't it?!

I'm finally ceasing to shake now, but am still very wary to leave the house unattended (even though these guy are supposed to be genuine!)

I am going to call a couple of locksmiths today and see if anyone can fit the lock for me! I think it would help to make me feel safer!

When I have finished my letter, I'll post it and email it to the Managing Director and will also cc my Landlady in too so that she knows exactly what is going on!

Yikes... I hope this works out and those guys don't come back.

You could just have all us TCSers over.... That way we could protect you!

Seriously though, I hope you get some answers.

That sounds crazy. What if there was a dog on your premises and they just let them selves in?? I bet they'd think twice before doing it again wouldn't they???
I agree with getting another lock on your door but I'd give your landlord a key and once again specify that you want 24 hours WRITTEN notice that someone is coming that way you are sure to know and nothing should cross in the mail.

Originally Posted by Kaleetha

You could just have all us TCSers over....

That way we could protect you!

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That might be a plan! Or for me to keep my drill plugged in and act all weird if they come again! That should scare them!!

Originally Posted by jurgen

That sounds crazy. What if there was a dog on your premises and they just let them selves in?? I bet they'd think twice before doing it again wouldn't they???
I agree with getting another lock on your door but I'd give your landlord a key and once again specify that you want 24 hours WRITTEN notice that someone is coming that way you are sure to know and nothing should cross in the mail

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Too true about the dog - for all they knew, I could have a hefty guard dog or two!!

Oh yes, I'm definitely planning to get the secondary lock installed and I will hand a key to the Agents! Thank you for reminding me about the notice, I have now added that to my letter!

It's such a shame that it has to come to this You'd think common sense would be for my agents (the peope responsible for the property and our well-being) would have the respect to give us notice themselves

Yeah, keep the drill handy with an obscenely big router bit in it! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!

Originally Posted by gemlady

Yeah, keep the drill handy with an obscenely big router bit in it! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!

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You're all too good at this, Jan!

I definitely think it sounds like a plan though, it would certainly put them off coming in again!!!!!!

Either that or I could dismantle their van - although maybe they knew about that and that's why they didn't park in front of the house!

Of all the times people have blocked your drive and this is one time they parked elsewhere!

Have you considered getting a chainsaw?

Originally Posted by gemlady

Of all the times people have blocked your drive and this is one time they parked elsewhere!

Have you considered getting a chainsaw?

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Oh, I know!! Plus, someone did manage to park partially over my drive today too!! It's certainly NOT been my day!!!

Muahahahahaha, chainsaw!!

I was actually scoping out Angle Grinders!!

Have you heard you two!!

Chainsaws and angle grinders!. Pffttt don't get on the wrong side of these two everyone!. Gone are the days where a knife was in your back!

Originally Posted by Sar

Muahahahahaha, chainsaw!!

I was actually scoping out Angle Grinders!!

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I like this idea. *evil grin*

Maybe this is REALLY mean... but what about putting little posts or claws at the sides of your driveway so people can't park there?

I wish those agents couldn't get away with just barging in like that. I hope you raise hell until they get it through their head to follow proper procedure.

Sarah, you are right to complain. As a tenant you have the right to "exclusive possession" that means the right to exclude everyone even the landlord/landlady from entry to the property. They may have reserved the right of entry in the lease agreement for things such as gas inspections and so forth but they must give you reasonable notice of such things. Definitely complain and let them know that you expect notice of the time that any authorised visitors are expected next time.

I'm so glad that none of the kitties escaped.

Oh Sarah,I would absolutely be fuming .
For one thing yeah, they need to give you notice,so they have breached your tenancy contract.They have invaded your privacy too.
If they were to have given you notice they still cannot gain entry without a court order.
I would definately take this further and i would have the locks changed.If these 'guys' looked like scallies don't take any chances,they could have made copies while the keys were in their possession.
If you need help fitting a new lock,send me a mail.

Originally Posted by Sar

Thanks guys!

It is scary, the way they do these things, isn't it?!

I'm finally ceasing to shake now, but am still very wary to leave the house unattended (even though these guy are supposed to be genuine!)

I am going to call a couple of locksmiths today and see if anyone can fit the lock for me! I think it would help to make me feel safer!

When I have finished my letter, I'll post it and email it to the Managing Director and will also cc my Landlady in too so that she knows exactly what is going on!

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i think changing the locks is the best idea, i would be freaked out too, especially when you have indoor only cats.

once the locks are changed you should feel a lot better, i just can't believe they barged in like that and had the nerve to leave two doors wide open after you told them you had indoor cats, some people are so daft, if that had happened to me and i was in my jammies still they would have had to answer to a very upset Husband

i'm sorry you had to go through it but i'm glad there were no escapes, iv'e had people turn up without notice before but only to work on the outside of the house.

I would be fumeing.

As i was when our landlord just announced he would be over and would let himself in one day (he didnt give ys proper notice) and said "Make sure your dogs are up" i told him he could not come over while we were not home it did not make me comfortable. he said oh he would just let himself in.

So...

I left the dogs out. There was a not so plesant little note from him about that. As he "couldnt get into the house" because of "the dogs" yup I know!

After that my uncle who is a cop called and reminded him of landlord/tenant law..hes been real nice ever since.

Thank you so much, guys!

I have written a letter to the Managing Director explaining the whole situation and my displeasue about the treatment I received from their agent!

I have decided to CC my Landlady, as we have had difficulties getting information - honest information - through to her from the agents! (numerous problems with allowing my kitties to move in here! ) So I want to ensure that she knows how I was treated yesterday! After all, she's paying fees for them to do a decent job!!!

I still have to dig out my HUGE new door lock and figure out a way to get it into the wall and onto the door (Diana, expect an email! )

Thank you so much, everyone for helping me know that I wasn't over reacting over the situation!

after reading all the chainsaw and drill comments... I'd suggest what I'll ever do if someone tries that on me [not to mention if I ever have a daughter and she becomes a teenager... what I'd do to the pubescent boys].

Buy a sword. A nice big sword... but one you can still lift. Answer the door with it leaning against your shoulder... swagger a bit to make yourself look like you're VERY comfy wiedling that gorgeous piece of steel. (can ya'll tell I'm a blade freak?) I would highly recommend one that isn't a 'pretty' sword. maybe going to an antique store and finding some older blade... I want some of those old ones... but can't afford them myself. I have an antique knife, not a sword, from the Far East... quite sharp (*sigh* folded steel... bone handle... I love this thing). I also have a Viking broadsword I bought at an SCA event several years back. Sharp, Definitely NOT pretty and shiny, and is one mean looking blade.

How effective can a sword be? If you could find them, ask anyone who tried walking into Marion Zimmer Bradley's house in the Berkeley hills in the middle of the night. Her and her family were all rather ... ahem... strange to begin with... but I'm told they left their doors unlocked, as they usually had a steady stream of visitors around the clock. One of MZB's adult sons (my understanding, a pretty big guy to begin with) preferred to do his writing at night... dressed in full Ren Faire garb (cloak, boots, kilt and sporran... etc...), with a nice big sword at the ready. Her son greeted any visitor this way... I'm told that one time a burgular, knowing the door was unlocked, snuck through the front door... the son was in the study right off the foyer... within seconds of the door opening, the son was poised and ready with the tip of the sword right at the burgulars face... he turned tail and ran out the door. **

So, the moral of this tale? heh heh heh... get a sword. I know once I move to my place in Oregon, I won't be in a 'secure' building anymore... so I'll have a sword or two at the ready when there's a knock... no one will mess with me.

Good luck with getting the new lock installed... a good locksmith should be able to install on a metal door... Hope everything goes well...

Amanda
(** - I was told this tale by a guy I was seeing who used to work for MZB. Last I saw of him, he was a bouncer at a club in SF)

HAHAHAHAHA I just laughed all the way through your post Amanda

That's a great plan, Amanda!

I loved the story too, I can just imagine the look on the burgular's face being met by the son!

I still have to clear with my Landlady about installing a new lock, but I think once she reads my letter to the agents, she might be pretty understanding about it!

Well, if YOU were that burgular, wouldn't you turn tail and run? i know I would.

As for me doing that to any boy a teen daughter of mine dates? Well, i'm not married or have kids, but my best friend has two girls, 11 and 13. I've said it to their mom... once they start dating, I'll be there with one of my swords... I'll answer the door and if they don't take off running, they can take the girl out... supervised, of course! (those are my girls... no one messes with my girls... I used to change diapers on them!)

Small blades just don't invoke fear... you'd have to swish it around a bit... but a sword? oh yeah!! Especially if you're female... so many people are surprised that I [little old me... I'm 5 foot 2 inches with a pixie short haircut and glasses] have swords... it's the last thing they expect. And that's what you want!

Amanda