Need some advice legally asap

Unicorn

Unicorn

Unicorn

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24 Dec 2011
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Hi guys I'm in immediate need of legal advice in terms of what I can do I'm in a sort of grey area for.

Other half is between houses at the moment with no were to live I cannot store her stuff or pets so a friend is looking after them for her. Her friends on holiday so we are going back to her friends flat with a key to feed the pets and to check on her friends pets also as we agreed to. Last night the landlord kicked off somewhat that we shouldn't be there we tried to explain but he didn't really understand it. We are essentially keeping an eye on her pets for her friend and storing stuff we don't stay there or live there. He's today changed the locks and given no notice to anyone locking 4 cats inside with no way to get to them and no way to contact him. Any advice is appreciated.
 
Obviously the landlord can't change the locks immediately however sub letting and allowing animals in the property if not allowed could be grounds for eviction through the correct process which this wouldn't be.

How has the landlord become aware?
 
This is a tricky situation, but surely if cats will be in danger as a result of his action you could get the police involved. Just my opinion.
 
They were my thoughts but would the police deal with this as it's a civil matter essentially? I didn't think of the rspca though so I'll give them a call
 
Animals I'm unsure if there allowed in the property her friend has two kittens also so I'm in the belief of animals are allowed. It isn't subletting either if she's only storing possessions is it? She doesn't have a bed or anything along them lines at the property
 
Well I'm going back to the property in two hours so am hopeful I can get in. I take it it's illegal for me to drill out locks etc and the police must do as such

I believe so BB
 
Unicorn said:
Animals I'm unsure if there allowed in the property her friend has two kittens also so I'm in the belief of animals are allowed. It isn't subletting either if she's only storing possessions is it? She doesn't have a bed or anything along them lines at the property
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It's largely irrelevant - call RSPCA and Police ASAP unless you want dead cats. Don't umm and ahh about where your friend stands legally as there's no telling how long RSPCA/Police will take to pull their fingers out and go round.

Legal aspects take a back seat until you've secured access to the cats, then you can worry about your friends lease/renting and legal situation.
 
Stringy said:
It's largely irrelevant - call RSPCA and Police ASAP unless you want dead cats. Don't umm and ahh about where your friend stands legally as there's no telling how long RSPCA/Police will take to pull their fingers out and go round.

Legal aspects take a back seat until you've secured access to the cats, then you can worry about your friends lease/renting and legal situation.
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One thing I hoped to do was to get hold of her friend and see if she had a contact tel for the landlord but her phones off and she hasn't checked any social media to see messages we have left.

If the police do pop the door in will it be made secure again and at who's cost also?
 
Don't believe we've had the whole story. Landlord wouldn't simply up and decide to change locks without some kind of provocation - how did the landlord become aware of your presence, and what made him/her think that you were doing something untoward, and not just checking on the property in your friend's absence? Changing locks would involve opening the door - has the landlord had the cats taken away, or let them out?

Does the landlord live in or near the property?

I'm asking all this stuff because I'm sure the police will ask you, and it may determine their response. They will certainly attempt to contact the landlord before they effect entry. What will the landlord say?
 
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Also why is it that the landlord being so hard to communicate to / doesn't understand what you are saying?

Unless the landlord intended to feed the cats himself, otherwise having 4 cats locked in the apartment surely it's a bad idea.
 
AJK said:
Don't believe we've had the whole story. Landlord wouldn't simply up and decide to change locks without some kind of provocation - how did the landlord become aware of your presence, and what made him/her think that you were doing something untoward, and not just checking on the property in your friend's absence?

Does the landlord live in or near the property?
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The landlord lives near the property we believe but we are not too sure. He saw my vehicle as he's seen it the past few days and noticed we was in the property. Checked what was going on yesterday and kicked off. I don't want to say it but he's of a different origin (possibly turkish) and I'm unsure if wires were crossed and he thinks were living there despite not being.
 
Unicorn said:
One thing I hoped to do was to get hold of her friend and see if she had a contact tel for the landlord but her phones off and she hasn't checked any social media to see messages we have left.

If the police do pop the door in will it be made secure again and at who's cost also?
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Just consider this in all your deliberations/delaying/hesitations - if the landlord doesn't see sense and let you in, and your delays in contacting the relevant authorities causes harm to the cats, then will you regret it?

If you cannot contact/get hold of the landlord in short order then have the police/rspca on speed dial and don't hesitate. The cost of the lock and sorting out things with the landlord when your friend gets back will pale in significance to some dead kittens.
 
OK, so sounds like it may be a misunderstanding. (With illegal action from the landlord in changing the locks.)

Getting your friend to contact the landlord may be a useful next step as well? At the very least let her know that the brown stuff is hitting the fan.

I just added to the above, but I'll repost: changing locks would involve opening the door - has the landlord had the cats taken away, or let them out?
 
Doesn't your other half have a mobile number for this friend?

You could go back to the property and loiter outside until the landlord comes. I bet he lives very close by.
 
AJK said:
OK, so sounds like it may be a misunderstanding. (With illegal action from the landlord in changing the locks.)

Getting your friend to contact the landlord may be a useful next step as well? At the very least let her know that the brown stuff is hitting the fan.

I just added to the above, but I'll repost: changing locks would involve opening the door - has the landlord had the cats taken away, or let them out?
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We really hope not if so then it just adds more serious issues onto it also. Same with if any possessions are missing. Going to set a time limit on it the cats need feeding later this evening so I'll give it until half 3 to continue the path of trying to get hold of the landlord then I'll have to go down the route of police and rspca

Yes cosimo this friend is abroad hence we are looking after her friends cats also as well my other half cats
 
You are not the Tenant so you have no legal right to gain access to the property, you also have no legal right to any property inside including the animals, if the RSPCA come they will (eventually) remove all animals and more than likely try to prosecute the legal Tenant for 'abandoning' the pets inside. Good luck!
 
The police may deal with it as a civil matter and only turn up if they believe there is a risk of breach of the peace or aggressive behaviour etc.

Defo call the RSPCA and if they think it's necessary to boot the door down, they will most likely call the police themselves.

How long have the cats been unattended?
 
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