How much to tidy for landlords?

minuettoallegretto

We have just received notice of an intended visit from our landlords. Not usually a problem, but last time they visited - unannounced - they were very disapproving of the state of the house, and told us if we didn't clear out loads of our stuff we would have to leave. We cleared, and were told we could stay, but we have 3 children so cannot live like House Doctor permanently - unfortunately they don't have children, and seem to think House Doctor houses are overdressed!
The question really is, how much is likely to be good enough? I'd be grateful for any thoughts, because I'm already feeling stressed just thinking about it!

sooz

You don't have to agree to their visit at all. If you don't want them to, put it in writing to them.

Nor is it any of the LL's business how you choose to live, as long as your lifestyle is not damaging the property, or attractive to vermin. Lots of clutter piled up high against walls can lead to condensation & therefore damp problems. But kids toys are normally knee deep across every floor

Has your LL said why they need to visit?

wonderpupp

I never cleaned beore a landlord visit, my rooms were always stacked ceiling to floor with freestanding pine shelves with my stuff on in a tiny flat.

the worst I have had is "there is hair in the plughole"

If that's the worst thing you see today in your inspections, lady, you're gonna have a sweet day!

chewmylegoff

minuettoallegretto wrote: »

We have just received notice of an intended visit from our landlords. Not usually a problem, but last time they visited - unannounced - they were very disapproving of the state of the house, and told us if we didn't clear out loads of our stuff we would have to leave. We cleared, and were told we could stay, but we have 3 children so cannot live like House Doctor permanently - unfortunately they don't have children, and seem to think House Doctor houses are overdressed!
The question really is, how much is likely to be good enough? I'd be grateful for any thoughts, because I'm already feeling stressed just thinking about it!

re: their previous visit, it is illegal for them to make unannounced visits unless there is a pressing maintenance issue which they need to resolve. they can't just let themselves in to check you're picking your socks up. they must give at least 24 hours notice of intention to visit (as they have done this time), but you don't have to allow access as you are entitled to 'quiet enjoyment' of the property.

technically they can not evict you for being untidy and it is no business of theirs how messy you are. however, if you are outside of the fixed term of your AST, they can just give you notice in accordance with the contract without providing a reason. it is therefore somewhat risky to flatly refuse access even though you are within your rights to do so. you might want to consider tidying up a bit and letting them inspect at a time of your choosing.

claireac

My la once referred to my house in a post inspection letter as "cluttered" :cool:. I was far from impressed and now make sure that I'm present for the inspections. It was what I call lived in, as both dh and I work and we have a 3yr old dd, and at the time 17 yr old ds.

Op - you have my sympathies. I think it's incredibly unprofessional to make such comments.

Sammy85_2

I once had a distraught tenant on the phone because the LA had been round for inspection and had complained about the untidy kids toys everywhere. She was terrified of being evicted.

As long as my tenants arent causing damage then im really not fussed if they are untidy.

Fire_Fox

minuettoallegretto wrote: »

We have just received notice of an intended visit from our landlords. Not usually a problem, but last time they visited - unannounced - they were very disapproving of the state of the house, and told us if we didn't clear out loads of our stuff we would have to leave. We cleared, and were told we could stay, but we have 3 children so cannot live like House Doctor permanently - unfortunately they don't have children, and seem to think House Doctor houses are overdressed!
The question really is, how much is likely to be good enough? I'd be grateful for any thoughts, because I'm already feeling stressed just thinking about it!

I'd be inclined to have a copy of the AST to hand and ask which clause I was breaching please ... As others have said you do not have to agree to these inspections, this is YOUR home but the landlord's investment ONLY. Providing you are not damaging their investment or causing nuisance to the neighbours - noise, vermin, smell - with the way you live it is none of their business. Threatening you with having to leave for spurious reasons is bordering on harassment/ illegal eviction (both under Protection from Eviction Act 1977).

clutton_2

tenants have a duty to behave in a "tenant like manner" and this is interpreted by different people in different ways.. but i think it implies that tenants are expected to treat a rental property in a decent manner...

stuffing a property full of clutter can significantly reduce air circulation and encourage mould; having only one "pathway" over a carpet due to too much clutter forces maximum use of carpets in one area only and thus causes them to wear out more quickly, and its very true to say that cluttered houses just dont get cleaned....

there seems to me, over the 11 years i have been a landlord, that there is a direct correlation between the ease of a tenancy and the way in which my properties are lived in and maintained by tenants...

cluttered dirty properties often contain difficult tenants.. if they dont respect their home how can you expect them to develope a good relationship with their landlord ?

i know these are generalisations.. (and my own place is cluttered right now - i'm a tenant - but i do open windows to maintain air circulation - and it is only temporary ) and there will be many that dont agree.. but this is my experience.. yours may be different.

Doshwaster

I have a quarterly inspection visit by the agent. It never takes more than 5-10 minutes but I always use it as an excuse to do a quick tidy up beforehand - though I've never had any comments about my housekeeping, apart from maybe "the grass could do with a cut", even though I'm a bit of a slob

I don't mind the visits - they are mainly interested in any repairs which need doing and it's a good opportunity to raise any problems with them

DawnW

I think it is a tenants right to live how they choose, so long as they are not causing damage to the property. I am a LL, and would not even consider passing any judgement over whether my tenants were 'untidy' or not.

Having said this,they are probably much tidier than I am in any case

minuettoallegretto

A big thank you to all of you - it's great to hear completely disinterested views, cos I was starting to get stressed!
They came last August after I asked for loft insulation - when they moved out they had left stuff in the loft (7 years before!) so they needed to see what was there to dispose of. They then moved to Australia, and have just emailed to say they'll be back for a visit in a couple of months time and would like to come round. I find them quite daunting to deal with as she was my son's childminder for a few years - think Supernanny with serious attitude and you're almost there!
I'm probably worrying totally unnecessarily, but I have a horrible feeling they'll just turn up again, probably when we've just done something really messy with the kids!