Overbearing Landlord?

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wmoore

510 posts

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#802490 19-Apr-2013 19:36

sleemanj:
Peppery:

From what I understand speaking to multiple property managers in my family, he is not legally allowed to do this,

Landlord is permitted on the grounds, within reason (quiet enjoyment restrictions), but not in the premises (buildings you rent) without appropriate notice.

It sounds like these are just dummy cameras, I'd probably thank the landlord for taking initiative to deter crime, and remind him, and the property manager, that you'd like him to let you know when he is going to be performing maintenance on the property in future, leave it at that.

Agree with the above and if the neighbours have a problem with them, that is between them and the landlord and not you.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." -
-- Abraham lincoln

gzt

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#802526 19-Apr-2013 20:59

Cambo:
The Law: The landlord can... enter the property at other times if the tenant freely allows.
The landlord must not...breach the tenant's privacy...

It's kinda a grey area.
I do think the property owner has been an ass, either they or the agent/landlord should have notified you first under expectations of 'good faith'.

You may have a case for privacy breach, as 1) you weren't notified, 2) security/surveillance cameras were installed without you being notified, 3) It's unclear if the owner/agent/LL intended to inform you at all and 4) It's unclear if the owner/agent/LL intended to inform you that the equipment were dummy cameras.

In my opinion, I'd still try to speak to the agent and express to them your concern and disappointment.
If anything like this continues, then take action.[...]

Imho and IANAL as usual : ). The tenancy act provides a landlord with access to the property (but not the house) without requiring any notification or your express permission specified in section 48 clause 7 - but only so long as this access does not violate your privacy and quiet enjoyment as very strongly specified elsewhere in multiple places in the act.

So for instance if the landlord randomly appears waltzing around in the backyard on a Sunday morning that is not really on.

In contrast, completing a repair on a letterbox at the end of a long driveway during normal working hours would not likely violate any of the privacy and quiet enjoyment requirements for most people.

Obviously between the extremes there is plenty of room for negotiation and flexibility in there depending on circumstances.

Like I said earlier, there is room for a much better relationship in this particular case..

chevrolux

4962 posts

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#802552 19-Apr-2013 21:59

Being a land lord myself it annoys me how much the law protects the renters and doesnt care about the landlord. The landlord owns the frken house but isnt allowed there without notice... ludicrous.

However, this is very very weird. I most certainly have no need to film my tenants and dont know why I would. But these cameras do seem to just be dummy's so dont really see the issue.

At the end of the day if you dont like it just move out. It is the landlord that looses out at the end as no revenue would be coming in. It is in their best interest to keep you there so dont get why he is being a dick.

And freitasm...AWESOME work on the robot. What words is he looking for that response?! Superb!!

blakamin

4431 posts

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#802559 19-Apr-2013 22:21

chevrolux: . The landlord owns the frken house but isnt allowed there without notice... ludicrous.

You are kidding right?

I don't care who owns the house! The renter is PAYING for privacy and peace and quiet.
They aren't paying just for the house, but for the whole property...

You want to mow the lawns, do the gardening? That's the only reason a landlord should be allowed on a property. Without notice.

Batwing

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#802562 19-Apr-2013 22:27

I certainly didn't appreciate my landlord sending someone to fix the roof without notice while I was sleeping between 12 hour long night shifts.
The property management company apologised, but advised the landlord didn't have to make contact prior because it was outside.

I'd definitely be following up with the property manager and avoiding the owner, being as polite as possible - assuming they're the ones who decide whether you get your bond back if the landlord goes full crazy on you like ours did. (dumping her own rubbish on the property after we moved out and blaming us)

Lyderies

266 posts

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#802570 19-Apr-2013 22:54

Just a quick one, how long are you contracted in for? and have you got a written legal binding contract?

I'm going to noob myself past judgement

networkn

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#802590 20-Apr-2013 00:30

chevrolux: Being a land lord myself it annoys me how much the law protects the renters and doesnt care about the landlord. The landlord owns the frken house but isnt allowed there without notice... ludicrous.

Say what now? You OWN the house, however are being PAID by someone living there who wants to enjoy quiet and private comfort. Yes Landlords aren't protected as well as renters, but your attitude is the epitomy of why. If your agreement with your tenant is in breach then you have rights, otherwise why would you not show the same basic common courtesy you would expect others to show when visiting and give advance notice? Why would you think it's ok to visit without advising in advance first?

I have seen some SHOCKING examples of tenants mistreating properties but I have been on multiple occasions mistreated pretty terribly by landlords who had a well over developed sense of their entitlements and clearly thought tenants were dirt. I have never missed a rental payment, I've never damaged a property, always treated them better than my own home, and left it better or equal to the way I found it. What I do insist upon is fairness, and if I do those things, I expect that matters pertaining to the property like water leaks, etc are fixed promptly, professionally and in a timely fashion (Taking into account reasonable circumstances). I was very glad to have bought my own house and never hopefully need to go through it again.

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lucky015

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#802612 20-Apr-2013 05:59

I'd say a lot of landlords misunderstand how renting works, Renting is not simply paying for permission to live in a property, It is paying for full rights over the property under very strict conditions under the rental agreement regarding the condition it stays in and both parties acceptable behaviour, This being the agreement which generally gets trampled on by both sides on an almost daily basis in a number of circumstances.

This all being the reason why renting is separate from boarding or flatting.

I would also suggest that in this case what the landlord has done in its self is not in breach of any conditions, Installing what appears to be security cameras without notice (to be monitored by the landlord this would be considered a privacy violation and the tenant had no reason to believe otherwise) and doing so in a way leaving the tenant looking to be the cause of violating the privacy of others (pointing it directly at the neighbours) that the landlord has broken this agreement.

networkn

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#802864 20-Apr-2013 18:42

lucky015: I'd say a lot of landlords misunderstand how renting works, Renting is not simply paying for permission to live in a property, It is paying for full rights over the property under very strict conditions under the rental agreement regarding the condition it stays in and both parties acceptable behaviour,

Yep I agree with this. Having said that, despite the fact we have the resources to potentially buy investment property, the entire thing gives me a headache and I have avoided it to this point.

A bad tenant or Landlord can make your life miserable.

mattwnz

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#802881 20-Apr-2013 19:13

Perhaps contact the citizens advice bureau as to your rights.

JimmyH

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#803001 21-Apr-2013 11:09

If you really find the landlord to be a complete prat, and it's annoying you, start to look for a new place and move when you find something suitable.

networkn

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#803028 21-Apr-2013 12:14

mattwnz: Perhaps contact the citizens advice bureau as to your rights.

This sin't the most appropriate place to get tenancy related advice, I'd try Department of Building and Housing

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