Inspections of property

jammy26

I have received a letter this morning saying the LA want to inspect the property I am renting through them. I have no problem with this but they are saying that they will only inspect in my postcode at set times which are difficult for me as I work full time. The letter also says if I do not reply within 7 days they will assume they have my permission to enter the property using their keys.

I am not happy with people just entering the property without me being there and therefore want to put in writing that I do NOT give permission for this which I understand from this forum is my right to quiet enjoyment of the property. I am however happy for them to inspect the property but feel that this should be at a time that does not inconvenience me and currently they are only offering office hours which does not suit me.

Could anyone suggest wording for the letter and confirm that my understanding is right that they can't just enter the property when they feel like it?

bmunky7

Couldn't you just give them a call to arrange a more suitable time like saturday morning?

MissMoneypenny

jammy26 wrote: »

I have received a letter this morning saying the LA want to inspect the property I am renting through them. I have no problem with this but they are saying that they will only inspect in my postcode at set times which are difficult for me as I work full time. The letter also says if I do not reply within 7 days they will assume they have my permission to enter the property using their keys.

I am not happy with people just entering the property without me being there and therefore want to put in writing that I do NOT give permission for this which I understand from this forum is my right to quiet enjoyment of the property. I am however happy for them to inspect the property but feel that this should be at a time that does not inconvenience me and currently they are only offering office hours which does not suit me.

Could anyone suggest wording for the letter and confirm that my understanding is right that they can't just enter the property when they feel like it?

Write and tell that that that their time is not convenient to you and offer times that are convenient to you.

Ask them to confirm in writing, what time and day they will be coming, on those days you offered.

Tell them that they do not have your permission to enter the property when you are not there and ask them to keep a copy of your letter on file, to avoid any misunderstandings.

Send it 'signed for' or deliver it by hand and ask them to sign for it.

Then change the lock or use a lock blocker.

jassco

It doesn't have to be anything complicated, just something along the lines of:

This letter is in response to [their letter title here]. I do not give you permission to enter my property [place property address here] without written consent from myself [and/or partner if applicable]. I am happy for you to inspect the property, but this will have to be done at my own convenience. You can contact me on [telephone number] to arrange an inspection that is convenient.

If they come back to you saying it's part of your contract, then you can start throwing quiet enjoyment at them. Or if they sent the letter without being recorded delivery, just ignore it and change your locks so they get a shock when they can't get in . You can even do this if they sent it via recorded delivery actually.

Fire_Fox

Alternatively you could buy a battery powered PIR burglar alarm which doesn't prevent then accessing the property in an emergency but would give a fright!

anotherginger

those who work for LAs are people too you know! i'm sure a phone call would sort it out.

anotherginger

bmunky7 wrote: »

Couldn't you just give them a call to arrange a more suitable time like saturday morning?

i'd love to know where they have a LA open on a Saturday morning!

jammy26

I emailed the LA today as I wanted to make sure it was in writing and therefore no misunderstandings or forgetting conversations later on! They replied and are adamant it is their right to enter the property whenever they see fit and don't need my permission to do so!

I have decided to change the locks for my own piece of mind as I am not comfortable with the thought that they might come in unannounced.

snapping_crocodile

Sounds like a good idea, as long as you change them back at the end of the tenancy. The LA are obviously just hoping you don't know anything about your rights. As others have said, send a letter by recorded delivery informing them that the times they have proposed are inconvenient (quoting your right to quiet enjoyment), and suggest a few other times which are convenient for you, and ask them to confirm in writing when they are intending to come.

tbs624

Don't email. Use good old fashioned snail mail by recorded delivery.


The LL/LA does have a right to view the property to view its condition in order to be able to comply with their "S11 repairing obligations" and you need to make it clear that you aren't refusing access.

You simply state that you wish to be present at all inspections, as you don't consent to their unaccompanied access, and that you wish to re-arrange the date/time to one which is mutually convenient ( not " at my convenience" as another poster has suggested.)

If it's possible for you to be at the property at a lunchtime, first thing in the morning, or last thing in the afternoon, by arrangement with your employer, then make three or four such suggestions and ask them to confirm in writing.

You dont need to start going on about "quiet enjoyment" at this stage.

N79

Just a warning to all the militants on here.

If a T refuses the LL's reasonable requests for inspections, starts quoting quite enjoyment etc and acts like a pain in the !!!! over what are reasonable LL inspections (eg, 1 after 3 months then 6 monthly or whatever) in order for the LL to fulfil their S11 obligations then they may well receive a S21 notice at the earliest opportunity and be out looking for a new home.

I would also point out that it is not unreasonable for a LL to want to inspect the property in daylight.