PHOTO: Tenants have the right to private enjoyment of their property — even outdoor or pool areas. Picture: iStock Source: istock
A woman was sunbaking in her backyard when she got a very unwelcome surprise — and it’s far from the first time it has happened.
QUESTION: I’m a single woman living alone in a rental property in NSW and I’m having a big problem with my landlord. He’s an older male and “drops around” constantly. Last week I was lying in the sun in the backyard, and all of a sudden he was coming through the gate with a bunch of tools saying he wanted to do something to the fence. The month before I came home to find new shelves in the kitchen — he had come over and put them up while I was at work, with no prior warning or notice. I have complained to the real estate agent and they say they will talk to him but it hasn’t stopped — what are my rights when it comes to tenancy?
ANSWER: This sort of conduct is not acceptable as it is a breach of your “peace, comfort and privacy” and there are laws to protect you.
Raising the issue with the real estate agent is a good first step in trying to resolve the dispute amicably, however it sounds like time to escalate the matter.
The wording of the law varies in each state, but practically speaking, it sets out the same behaviour expectations for tenants, property managers/agents and owners/landlords.
Being a property owner and landlord does not allow him full access to the property at his whim.
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