Spot checks when renting privately

UN17ED

We rented a private house and had the letting agent inspect the house every 3 months.

If something was broken or a drink had been spilt on the carpet and they didnt pick up on it at the time can they make you pay for it come the final inspection?

TrickyDicky101

If it's spotted at final inspection time then I presume you will be charged for it. When the damage was caused would be irrelevant.

BitterAndTwisted

Yep, the inspections are usually to check that there aren't any repairs needed which haven't been spotted or reported by the tenant. Any damage which has been caused through the entire length of the tenancy will be charged for and the agent either not spotting them or not commenting on them at the time of the inspection are not your "get out of jail free" card.


Get cleaning at your own expense while you can!

UN17ED

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Yep, the inspections are usually to check that there aren't any repairs needed which haven't been spotted or reported by the tenant. Any damage which has been caused through the entire length of the tenancy will be charged for and the agent either not spotting them or not commenting on them at the time of the inspection are not your "get out of jail free" card.


Get cleaning at your own expense while you can!

Excuse me but I am not looking for a "get out of jail free" card :mad:
I am trying to not get ripped off by my ex landlady.
I dont mind paying for what I have to but "other" things no chance.
What is the point of the checks then?

What about things they find after the final inspection?

BitterAndTwisted

The periodic inspections are to ensure there's no damage or outstanding repairs required to the fabric of the building and its fittings which haven't been noticed or reported by the tenant. They're not undertaken to investigate how the tenant chooses to live in the property. Any damage caused during the tenancy should be noted in the final check-out and charged for accordingly.

Asking if they didn't pick up on any damage at the time of the periodic inspection made it sound like you didn't think you should pay for it. You should.

Gwhiz

UN17ED wrote: »

Excuse me but I am not looking for a "get out of jail free" card :mad:
I am trying to not get ripped off by my ex landlady.
I dont mind paying for what I have to but "other" things no chance.
What is the point of the checks then?

What about things they find after the final inspection?

You really should re-read your OP as this is what it could easily be interpreted as. Now calm down!!

UN17ED

Gwhiz wrote: »

You really should re-read your OP as this is what it could easily be interpreted as. Now calm down!!

I am calm thanks!!.
I am just checking on the legalities of things, and not to be accused of something.

It wouldn't surprise me if BitterAndTwisted was a landlord.

BitterAndTwisted

You are wrong: I'm a tenant and I've never been a landlord in the past either

Pepzofio

They wouldn't be able to deduct anything from your deposit until the end of the tenancy anyway, as you have to be allowed the opportunity to 'make good' any damage before you leave.

BitterAndTwisted

Sounds like the OP has already moved out of the property and is now in dispute with the LL about deposit deductions

tbs624

Un17ed - you have to return the property in the same condition as when let, save for "fair wear and tear". FW&T does not include dirt or damage but the LL has to have a decent inventory in place from the start.

LL's routine inspection are, in principle, so that the LL can comply with his own s11 repairing obligations rather than a have a look at stained carpets etc during your tenancy: that's not to say that a LL/LA may not comment about such things whilst there, advising that it will need to be cleaned before the end of your tenancy, if stain not evidenced on the original inventory.

The tenancy end check out will usually be more thorough.