Nosy neighbors and our broadband connection

Well, we came home today and found numerous things in our flat moved around and a crumpled napkin on the windowsill that my flatmate and I have never seen before in our lives.  Upon closer inspection, we found that our bedrooms looked as if they have been poked around in, and it's pretty obvious that someone has been snooping in our flat.  We called the police, who told us to let them know if anything has been missing.  We haven't finished checking yet, but so far we haven't found anything missing, just disturbed. 

We need to get out of here.

That sounds like a clear breach of the tenancy.  Sounds like your escape route.

Vicky

I would say something small is missing..... for e.g a couple of CDs or something ( I know thats naughty lying to the police and that someone on here will say don't do it) but at least it will get the police to your house and force them to investigate someone snooping in your home.  If somebody has the balls to snoop...they will have the balls of being accused of taking something...Otherwise, unless something is missing, I don't think the police will be bothered about coming round....or make it a priority...I should say.

You can always "find it" later.

This could be perfect to get rid of your tennancy.

I would say something small is missing..... for e.g a couple of CDs or something ( I know thats naughty lying to the police and that someone on here will say don't do it)

Yes, and that person would be me (as I am sure you could have guessed).  Seriously.  It would be a crazy thing to do.  Clearly, if this woman hasn't stole anything, and you accuse her of doing so, it will cause a whole lot of trouble.  And lying to the police is not a good idea, and will certainly not endear you to your landlady or anyone else.

Vicky

Otherwise, unless something is missing, I don't think the police will be bothered about coming round....or make it a priority...I should say.

They said they would send someone around for fingerprints.  At least, one of them did.  There has been a bunch of calls from the police... all different people.

Clearly, if this woman hasn't stole anything, and you accuse her of doing so, it will cause a whole lot of trouble.  And lying to the police is not a good idea, and will certainly not endear you to your landlady or anyone else.

No, I'm not willing to do anything that might jeopardize my credibility.  Things are bad enough already and I'm not looking to add to my list of woes in life.  Things have been poked through: bank papers, bills, books, closets, etc. and one of D's laptops.  Our beds were disturbed, which is just weird.

They said they would send someone around for fingerprints.  At least, one of them did.  There has been a bunch of calls from the police... all different people.

No, I'm not willing to do anything that might jeopardize my credibility.  Things are bad enough already and I'm not looking to add to my list of woes in life.  Things have been poked through: bank papers, bills, books, closets, etc. and one of D's laptops.  Our beds were disturbed, which is just weird.

Glad the police are showing decent concern.

I sympathise about someone being in your home.  Its the feeling of personal violation thats the most upsetting.

I sympathise about someone being in your home.  Its the feeling of personal violation thats the most upsetting.

It feels very creepy.  I've had stuff stolen before, but I've never had unwanted visitors when I wasn't at home and D has enough anxiety on her plate already with her uncle (and fill-in dad) dying unexpectedly right before the holidays.


This thread is turning into quite the thread of fail and I want to thank everybody here for their support.  I hadn't posted much at all before this happened, but all of your input and concern is so appreciated.  You feel like you're fumbling around in the dark when you're a foreigner and aren't sure how things are done in your new country.  So, thank you.

You feel like you're fumbling around in the dark when you're a foreigner and aren't sure how things are done in your new country. 

I was surprised, before, when you first said that the neighbours had the keys, and later that you first thought somebody might have been in your flat, that it wasn't really made clear just how totally unacceptable and completely wrong these things are. It sounds like you either need to pull the landlord into line and get the locks changed or move out.

Given that our rent is paid up until the end of April, and we want out as soon as possible, what are our chances of getting a refund for the time that we won't be living here?

Get a motion sensor webcam immediately.  Seriously.

Given that our rent is paid up until the end of April, and we want out as soon as possible, what are our chances of getting a refund for the time that we won't be living here?

My initial thought is there's no way you'll get the prepaid rent back, but if you had a strongly worded letter on a solicitor's letterhead making the case that the landlord was in breach of the contract because other people had access to the flat, you might scare them into giving your money back without contesting it.

So the short answer is I think you should talk to a solicitor.

good luck,
Carl

I am with Sara Smile on this, having it documented should enhance your ability to get the money back and out of the lease.  I am so sorry this is happening to you two, very creepy.  Best of luck!

Well, the police didn't show up and I've discovered that I have two duvet covers missing.  Seriously, who steals bed linens, of different sizes even?

My God, if you really feel this insecure in your home you must get out of this. 


Vicky

Well, the police didn't show up and I've discovered that I have two duvet covers missing.  Seriously, who steals bed linens, of different sizes even?

WTF?! I'd be calling every 10 mins to the police!!! Especially now. This is just not right!