Agents inspections

Lady_Annabel_Aardvark · 7 July 2010 at 3:43PM

Are agents allowed to let themselves in with a key to do inspections (after giving notice in writing) or can we insist on them not coming unless we can be there?

We have no intention of being awkward but after being given a window of three hours this morning and my husband taking time off work because we have two pedigree indoor cats that we were worried might accidentally be let out or let into the bedrooms, the agent didn't turn up until 40 minutes AFTER the three hour window.

We live less than five minutes drive from their office in a small town so there was no excuse for lateness and even if unavoidable, someone could have contacted us.

Also if they give us a time, 10am til 1pm in this case, can they still let themselves in after this time if they are late?

Finally can we ask them to be more specific about the time? I've had agents in the past who have had to travel further but have been able to give me a rough time of arrival.

DVardysShadow · 7 July 2010 at 4:53PM

No, they must not allow themselves in - except in an emergency.

<sebb> · 8 July 2010 at 8:29PM

To expand on this a little. You do not have to allow any inspections at all! Search for quiet enjoyment on these forums. That being said, if you don't you will no doubt annoy the LL and LA enough that they may evict you at the first opportunity so I would advise a more pragmatic approach.

They need to give you at least 24 hours written notice. But for something as routine as an inspection I would say at least a week is more acceptable. Then they need your express permission to enter. If you say that you must to be there for them to enter, then the cannot enter without your permission. If they say they will be there between 10 and 11am, and they don't show up, then let them know that you won't be there and they can't come in.

Explain clearly that you need to take time off work for these inspections, so if they don't turn up when they said they would you won't be there and they cannot come in. I would do it in writing so you have a paper trail of your clear intentions. Try not to use emotive language, keep it short, simple and to the point. If you believe they have entered without your consent, change the locks. If they complain about this then they must have tried to enter without your permission because how else would they know? If you get any trouble from them after doing any of the above, post back on this forum and you will get some good advice on how to handle the situation.