General Inspection?

Bunnie1982

I received a letter from the letting agent today (dated 5th March, posted 2nd class) saying they are coming to do a general inspection of the property tomorrow at 11am, but don't worry about staying in as they have a set of keys.

Me and hubby both work so neither of us will be here anyway, but what will the general inspection entail? What will they be looking at?

Naturally feel abit cautious about having someone in the house when we are not here,

Been in the house for 2 years now and this will be the first inspection, our previous rental house inspections (with a different agent) involved the letting agent coming to the door and asking if everything was ok and saying "seeyou in 6 months"

Just wondered really what to expect

m_13

We've had one agent who came around and peered in the oven, ran her finger along the picture rails and gave us a stern lecture about the bathroom window needing to be opened. She came around every 3 months and we dreaded it. Other people have wandered around and asked vaguely if everything is OK.

theartfullodger

Does your tenancy agreement (which you signed) give the agent the right to an inspection on 24hours notice (most tenancy's do give that right..).

Assuming they do have the right to inspect then clearly they can go ahead.. If you are nervous or worried maybe photograph everything beforehand (like the photos the letting agent should have done at the start of the tenancy and that he should have given you a copy of..)

I rent out 3 houses. All tenancy agreements I have have a right of inspection. I rarely inspect but do when concerned (eg complaints from neighbours...) or occasionally at random. However I prefer the occasional visit for some other reason (eg to check some problem I've been told about is fixed OK) and have a quick look round with the tenant there..

The house I rent to students however, managed by an agent, gets an inspection every 3 months by the agent.. and the points raised usually mean avoid unhappiness later...


Cheers, good luck, I'd expect it is routine...

Artful

Bunnie1982

It says 48 hours notice in the tenancy agreement, although its not really their fault for slow post. I am quite suprised we have waited 2 years for an inspection to be honest because our last rental property was half yearly, perhaps this was an oversight by them?

Geenie

As a LL, I wouldn't dream of doing an inspection without the tenants being present.

This is because it is their home, and I wouldn't want someone snooping around my place whilst not there.

I think the tenant should be on site when such a visit is required, and look at your agreement to see if YOU should be present.

poppysarah

I'd insist on being there.
If you can't get time off work - tell them you will be there are the weekend and they can come then

Planner

Theres no 'right' to general inspection as such. However you should be as flexiable as possible. You can tell them no if its inconvenient and that they are not to let themselves in with keys if you like, and go on to enforce this if they subsequently do.

As you havent had one for two years, the request initself isnt unreasonable, but the timescale would appear to be.

It can all be resolved first thing with a simple phonecall and arrangement of a convenient time for you.