I'd be interested to know your views on our current predicament.
We arrived at a holiday rental in Amble on Friday we had a look around our home for the week. On the first floor there is a main bedroom, a shower room and a locked room. Didn't have an issue with it being locked as we know let's often have a locked storage area. There was a second twin bedroom in the loft space. I have to stress this door was definitely locked, both me and my husband tried, cos we made a joke about it, but never thought any more about it. The next day we went out twice, just for local walks, only out for 30 mins or so each time. Now, when it came to bed time I toddled off upstairs and I dont know what made me do it, but I tried the locked door again and it was open, I can tell you it really freaked me out. Shouted my husband to come up and he opened the door and looked inside where there was some stuff that was stored, but the bedroom had also clearly recently been used by someone, clothes, dressing gown on back of door, hair straighteners and even a tub with some money in, notes and coins. We seriously believe someone has entered the house while we were out and forgot to lock the door on leaving, almost like they were in a hurry. We contacted cottages.com but as it was out of hours they couldn't do anything until the next day - today. I couldn't sleep, made husband check every room, wardrobe, etc. The door had definitely been locked and someone had opened it. Today we've had no satisfaction. Cottages.com cant do anything, they got owner to ring me, nobody has been in - she lives 150 miles away and cleaner and maintenance have keys but they haven't been in. I mistakenly thought she'd be concerned at the possibility of someone having access to her property! Cottages.com said we could call the police - no crime has taken place, nothing missing or disturbed. Also suggested we check for ring doorbells locally - we're on holiday, not playing private detectives! The owner even tried to blame the wind - the door was solidly locked Friday, I could open it with one finger Saturday! In honestly I feel vulnerable but nobody will do anything. I asked if the cleaner, who has a key would come and lock the door, she cant today, they'll ring her tomorrow and let me know. Well can we move to another property, not today. So we've wasted 2 days of our holiday and really dont want to be here. We paid alot and intend putting in a formal complaint. Ive even considered they may have been in there when we arrived and left when we went out first thing in the morning to walk the dog, although I do think she would've sensed someone in the house.
Sorry for the long rant, just wondered how others would've felt as I feel cottages.com and the owner think im paranoid! I know as I write and read this back it makes no sense, but how did that door become unlocked if only we had been in the property?
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Have you thought about calling 101 for advice?
It sounds like a most unpleasant situation.
Could the local cleaner be running a sub-let that the owner doesn't know about?
My parents had an apartment in Spain which they allowed family to stay in, but didn't rent out.
They arrived one day to find people staying there! The person who was the local keyholder in case access was needed for maintenance was renting it out herself.
If you hadn’t tried the door again, for whatever reason you did (curiosity killed the cat, ‘tis said), you would be none the wiser.
Call the police as it’s a break-in ? And take photos as evidence.
Maybe buy & fit a padlock to that room & give the cottage owner the key after your holiday. Maybe the owner came back for something -!it’s their stuff in the room? Maybe they actually live there but go couch surfing when the place is rented out because they need the income?
We stayed in a s/c on Skye years ago, the owner came in & out of the back door, the link corridor was locked by a key on our side. His stuff eg books, records, was in the lounge. It was odd, but no more; not threatening. He clearly lived there when no one was renting: maybe the same situation here. More concern for us was that his attic conversion (where the bedroom was) did not comply with Building Regulations. When we alerted the company, the property left their books but reappeared on another one straight away.
I guess I’m saying, there’s probably a logical reason for whatever happened. Whatever, do let us know the outcome. And I hope you have a good holiday when you look back at it.
I sort of agree with fiona, however, the owner lives 150 miles away so unlikely to be them personally. It sounds as though either someone lives there when the place isn't rented out, or uses the cottage to store stuff, like a student, and popped in whilst you were out to collect/deliver stuff.
Rather disconcerting though, maybe less so if you had been informed beforehand.
I'd be checking with cleaner/maintenance myself.
And it's Amble, not Central London, maybe a more casual approach there.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 05/4/2026
If you hadn’t tried the door again, for whatever reason you did (curiosity killed the cat, ‘tis said), you would be none the wiser.
Call the police as it’s a break-in ? And take photos as evidence.
Maybe buy & fit a padlock to that room & give the cottage owner the key after your holiday. Maybe the owner came back for something -!it’s their stuff in the room? Maybe they actually live there but go couch surfing when the place is rented out because they need the income?
We stayed in a s/c on Skye years ago, the owner came in & out of the back door, the link corridor was locked by a key on our side. His stuff eg books, records, was in the lounge. It was odd, but no more; not threatening. He clearly lived there when no one was renting: maybe the same situation here. More concern for us was that his attic conversion (where the bedroom was) did not comply with Building Regulations. When we alerted the company, the property left their books but reappeared on another one straight away.
I guess I’m saying, there’s probably a logical reason for whatever happened. Whatever, do let us know the outcome. And I hope you have a good holiday when you look back at it.
As I said in my post the owner lives 150 miles away and the cottage company manages the property, providing cleaner and maintenance. Nobody 'broke in' and nothing was taken as far as I know. What happened was a door that was locked became unlocked while we were out, nobody can tell me why and it has unnerved me. Im not sure what the police could do. How does a door that was locked become unlocked when we are not in the house if its not someone with a key letting themselves in? I dont have a problem with people living onsite if im aware of it, what I dont like is what has happened this weekend with no explanation
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 05/4/2026
I sort of agree with fiona, however, the owner lives 150 miles away so unlikely to be them personally. It sounds as though either someone lives there when the place isn't rented out, or uses the cottage to store stuff, like a student, and popped in whilst you were out to collect/deliver stuff.
Rather disconcerting though, maybe less so if you had been informed beforehand.
I'd be checking with cleaner/maintenance myself.
And it's Amble, not Central London, maybe a more casual approach there.
We cant contact the cleaner or maintenance, didn't even have details of the owner until she rang me when I reported it to cottages com. I do suspect what you said is what's happened and in their haste they forgot to re lock the door. The point is this is illegal, we have rented the property and nobody can enter without speaking to us first. I'd have appreciated a simple explanation and apology, as things stand now we will be putting a written complaint in. The owner said shes had nothing but trouble with cottages.com and is taking the cottage off their books from November
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
I would have moved out right away and stay somewhere else like a hotel!
DK
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 05/4/2026
I would have moved out right away and stay somewhere else like a hotel!
DK
Having forked out 800 quid for this property that's not an option im afraid. I have asked them to move us but they said they couldn't today. We'll see what tomorrow brings but im not hopeful
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
Quote: Originally posted by spiritburner on 05/4/2026
Whats the owners take on the room? Should it be locked or available to you? If locked, should it have signs of habitation?
Says its her stuff in there and suggested the lock must be faulty, even suggested the wind had caused it to open...
------------- May/June - Spring Valley
Aug/Sept - Leekworth
If you have to stay there I would block the door off with any moveable furniture.
Also call me paranoid but I would check the place for hidden camera's.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
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via mobile 05/4/2026 at 4:20pm
