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I shouldn’t laugh because this is a genuinely frightening story, but at the same time I can’t help the chuckles because the scenario is too unbelievably ridiculous.
I ‘spose that makes me a terrible person, doesn’t it?
This incident happened last week to a friend of a friend, whereby a landlord enters the property without permission in the early hours, wakes up the tenant, and demands rent.
I was only told the story an hour ago so obviously I felt it was worthy enough to go to print pronto.
So, basically, the tenant (my friend’s friend) was due to pay rent last week via direct debit. But for some reason or another, the transaction failed, consequently the landlord wasn’t best pleased.
Apparently, the landlord didn’t have the patience to contact the tenant via traditional and rational means (e.g. text message or phone call) to find out why the rent hadn’t been paid. Instead, the landlord deemed it appropriate to (this is the good part) transport himself over to the property, let himself in, navigate himself upstairs into the tenant’s bedroom, tower over the tenant while he’s asleep, wake him up, and then order him to make a quick journey to the cash point to make the payment.
If that is not batshit crazy, I do not know what is! What in the actual fuck?
Also, bear in mind, this happened during the morning of the day when rent was due. By right, the tenant still had the rest of the day to pay.
The tenant responded by getting up and making the journey to the cash point in the landlord’s car.
You can’t even make this shit up.
I almost didn’t believe it, but I’m assured the story is legit.
Yes, the tenant sounds like a complete pussy
When I heard the story, it was frighteningly obvious that the landlord is a psychopath. No question. He’s been diagnosed. Done!
So the question has to be asked, what’s wrong with the tenant? Rightly or wrongly so, my mind was totally perplexed by the obedient response of the tenant [more than the landlord’s].
If I was the tenant and my landlord pulled that shit on me, I’d grab the closest solid object next to my bed (most likely my arse-dildo) and beat him with it.
But for some reason, not only did the tenant obey the landlord’s request, but he seemingly complied without resistance. I don’t know if the tenant was just completely oblivious to his rights, or whether he’s just passive by nature.
I asked my friend if the tenant got onto his knees and thanked the landlord for the ride to the cashpoint. It seemed like the obvious question.
This situation is almost as bizarre (and comical) as the tenant that wanted to know if it was acceptable for her landlord to go through her underwear draw *slaps forehead*.
So what is the tenant’s right in this situation?
First and foremost, the landlord didn’t have a right of entry in this case.
So, as far as I’m concerned, the landlord could and should get prosecuted on the grounds of harassment (unless he pleads insanity, which seems very plausible by the sounds of things, in which case the landlord might receive some leniency).
For those unaware (which some clearly are), tenants are legally entitled to live in ‘quiet enjoyment’. That means, the tenant has the legal right to live in the property as his or her home. The Landlord must ask the tenant’s permission before entering the premises, regardless of whether any terms have been breached (i.e. rent is late)!
Disclaimer: I'm just a landlord blogger; I'm 100% not qualified to give legal or financial advice. I'm a doofus. Any information I share is my unqualified opinion, and should never be construed as professional legal or financial advice. You should definitely get advice from a qualified professional for any legal or financial matters. For more information, please read my full disclaimer.
Realistically the tenant should have bunged the lanlord a fiver to cover the fuel cost to the cash point!
I cant believe that lanlord would risk doing something so silly. In law it isnt breaking and entering but it is entering. I have let tenants owe me money before today with a 'hey ho' attitude. 75% of the time they pay up all they owe. The rest of the time, they were going to rip me off anyway!