landlord/estate agent's access to flat when i have provided notice of moving out

PasturesNew

losgiganteskid wrote: »

Who's house !!

As a therapist - with clients forms and details have you been using the property for business ? the insurance may be iffy if you have !

While they're paying the rent, it's the tenants house.

guppy

Zelie wrote: »

They have to request with 24 hours notice. The tenant doesn't have to agree.

Not true. The landlord or agent can't enter someone else's home without permission no matter how much notice they have given.

Zelie

guppy wrote: »

Not true. The landlord or agent can't enter someone else's home without permission no matter how much notice they have given.

Yes. As I said in the second sentence...

Zelie

rentinginlondon wrote: »

Zelie

That is one thing I am concerned about, and I can not afford to lose my bond (part-time employed etc!) but on the other side. In terms of reference I am not bothered as some agencies not longer accept references - they want proof of payment and employment etc.

If they start to play that game with me, the landlord has made two extensions to the property without planning permission, and they appear illiegal - made two kitchens in flats without even a proper roof (just plastic material). I am not going to use this as "blackmail" material (not that type of person) I will just report him to the council!

The maintenace guy once mentioned that the bathrooms are not up to council standard and if there is an inspection we have to say we use the bathrooms in the hallway.....

There is absolutely no reason for you to lose your bond. It is (or should be) registered with a deposit protection scheme for a reason. They can't just refuse to return it because they are peeved - they have to justify why they want to make deductions from it.

When you do leave get a camera or preferably video recorder and go round the flat. Get shots of everywhere and show the condition of the place - whether the windows are clean, whether the carpet is vacuumed, whether the bin is empty. Keep the footage handy should the agency try to claim for damage later - you can then prove that it didn't exist when you moved out.

dizziblonde

They can't take your bond for asserting yourself on this one. Just make 100% sure you keep proof of the state you leave the house in - photograph each room etc etc.

I'd give them a set of times for goodwill's sake, and gently remind them of the law (LAs seem to have selective recall on this one - I've had to remind them of the access issue before myself here - same thing as you, didn't want someone in here when I wasn't there - more than anything else they underestimate the Hudini tendancies of a three-legged cat), generally that's enough to get them back into line.

RobertoMoir

losgiganteskid wrote: »

Who's house !!

The tenant's, while they are living there. Discussion over.

It may be the owner's property but it's also the tenant's home. And the tenant has a right to "peaceful enjoyment" of the property during their tenancy, which includes not having people enter the property without the tenant's permission - except for emergencies of course.

Now I strongly suggest people try and co-operate with each other, but I think this begins with both 'sides' understanding and respecting the other's needs and rights. A LL (or their agent) who enters the property without the permission of the tenant is not giving the tenant's rights the respect they deserve and that surely curtails the amount of respect their needs should receive in return.

rentinginlondon

Thanks all once again for your assistance and suggestions with this. This morning I received a txt from estate agent this morning to say that the property is now let so he will not be bring anyone else around.

Thankfully this is now over but I can not believe the way the landlord (I have lost a lot of respect for him, he was helpful up until this point) and estate agent behaved, despite me being reasonable (in my view, they disagree with me) they still believed they had rights to access the property when they want to!

Many thanks once again

losgiganteskid

RobertoMoir wrote: »

It may be the owner's property but it's also the tenant's home.

I don't dispute that for one moment - you are agreeing with me then !!