Safety inspection - 6 hours braket ??

mess0804

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I just got this letter from the agency that that their engineer will come to do a safety inspection on Tuesday between 10-4pm.
" I am more than welcome to be at home, but they will enter with keys if not."

Can I ask them to give me a more precise time: am or pm... I would like to take just half day of holiday (I don't want to spend too much my 20 days on stuff like this, I need some days for doctors appointments aswell and some holiday

edit: picture over here: http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4682/img0306nt.jpg

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UPDATE: I phoned the agency on Thursday, they said they will see what they can do, as the man has to do more properties in the same day, I insisted that he has to have at least an ideea of where he starts and where he finishes (and where am I supposed to be)
I was promised a phone back. Friday no phone back. Monday I called in again and they said that the person who deals with this is not in at the moment, but she will call me as soon as she gets back in. Today I phoned and spoke with 3 different persons as everysingle one was saying that this is a lawfull thing they need to do and I don't have to be in. Finally the last one promised that they will call me an hour before the man comes to inspect, of course they haven't called and the man came at 15.45 (and he had the keys) I am really annoyed by the agency...

sequence

wrangler5 wrote: »

Resize your flipping pictures!!! :mad::mad:

Are you stuck in 1999 or something ? Image is only 1100 X 800. Hardly big

Yes you can request a more specific time or refuse completely if you wish. Some negotiation necessary. And no, they can't enter without consent, but many will anyway since there's very little you can do about it.

bdl1brick

Why waste even half a days holiday, let them go in and do it!

G_M

You have the right to refuse. Unwise as a safety inspection is legally requirted of the landlord and is for YOUR protection.

However, you can insist on being there (if that's your preference) and you can stipulate when.

If you fear they will just come anyway (as they say!) and use a key, then change the lock barrel (costs a few pounds). They have no right to enter your home if you tell them not to.

I would a) change the lock (keep the old barrel and replace it when you move out) and
b) write to them (hand deliver if nec to ensure it arrives before Tuesday) telling them politely (no need to antagonise) i) you'd prefer to be there when the engineers comes; ii) you are unable to take a whole day off iii) it would therefore be preferable if the engineer came (Tuesday morning, afternoon, Wednesday morning - whatever is convenient for you.) iv) if they wish to discuss this to agree a mutually convenient time/date, please call [telephone number]. v) please note that entering without an agreed appointment by using a key is not acceptable so please call to discuss.

Keep a copy of your letter.

Note the only way they will know you have changed the lock is if they try to enter, and since you've denied them permission this would be a serious matter.

mikey72

I agree it's a bad situation, but as it's a safety inspection, and required by law, if you refuse access, there is an arguement to be made for forcing entry and turning off the gas, as the landlord is no longer able to let you use it. Depends how messy either of you want to get over it.
It would have been better to mutually pre agree a time really.

As no one ever says it, yes you can change the locks, but if an entry has to be made in an emergency, (water leak, gas leak etc) entry can be made by force, and you will be liable for all costs arising from it, and all repairs.

puddy

why cant they arrange it at the weekend

clutton_2

as a Ll i cannot emphasise tooo strongly how important these inspections are... a gas boiler can develope a fault AT ANY TIME - and these inspections are for YOUR health and safety - you the tenants - your health and safety

i recently had a tenant refuse me entry for 5 months after an inspectoin was due.... when i finally got into the property - the Gas Engineer went white... a gas leak had developed (4 year old good quality Worcester boiler, serviced and CORGI inspected every year - GASSAFE now) and the tenant and her children could have seen an explosion at any time.....

no matter how much "change the locks" advice.. and other extreme nonsense... you read... these checks are important..

Carbon Monoxide is a killer ..... end of

use some common sense - phone the agent and re-negotiate a time that is convenient .. and yes it is worth taking half a day off work.. its your life.. OR - trust the agent and their workmen to do the job in your absence.. your choice.....

Workmen can NEVER give a precise time as they never know how long one job will take - when they arrive it could be a 2 minute one, or a two hour one ... and many firms dont work weekends....

if you trust your landlord or agent or neighbour to let them in for you ... let them do their job in your absence... otherwise ... take some time out to protect your own health and safety


if an explosion were to occur and court action were to follow (very unlikely ) a judge would take a tenant's refusal to allow entruy into consideration, as health and safety is ALL of our concern - landlord and tenant, employer and employee, all have their part to play....

sequence

Clutton's advice is solid.

G_M

mikey72 wrote: »

....as it's a safety inspection, and required by law, if you refuse access, there is an arguement to be made for forcing entry and turning off the gas, as the landlord is no longer able to let you use it. ...

Sorry this is rubbish. An inspection is not an emergency, so forced entry is clearly not justified.

Clutton wisely advocates allowing the inspection to take place - as I did. And he also advocates re-negotiating the time/date - as I did.

But knowing your rights too will help since the agent has already intimated they "they will enter with keys if not."

Be polite. Be helpful. But also stand up for your privacy if it's important to you.

Wee_Willy_Harris

mikey72 wrote: »

I agree it's a bad situation, but as it's a safety inspection, and required by law, if you refuse access, there is an arguement to be made for forcing entry and turning off the gas, as the landlord is no longer able to let you use it. Depends how messy either of you want to get over it.
It would have been better to mutually pre agree a time really.

As no one ever says it, yes you can change the locks, but if an entry has to be made in an emergency, (water leak, gas leak etc) entry can be made by force, and you will be liable for all costs arising from it, and all repairs.

NO! NO! NO!.

Whilst I support every sensible poster who is encouraging you to comply with an important safety check, the FACTS are that the LL can't "force entry" if you don't. He would have to obtain a court order and go through the proper legal process.

Having said that, making him do so for a safety check would be an act of madness on your part. Agree a date/time with the agent and stick to it. Get this check done as it's in your best interests. If it costs you a days leave, so be it. If you can agree on half a day, even better.

franklee

They can't force entry for your refusing this appointment.

The trick that works for me is to ask for the first appointment of the morning or the first after lunch. That way they are less likely to be running late and will give you a half hour or so window for arrival. Also ask for the number of the engineer and get them to ring you when they leave their previous appointment. Between 10-4pm is way too big but is probably just a standard letter so get on the phone and get a better appointment booked. Expect the whole thing to take at least an hour.