Inspection!

charlie792

Ive just recieved a letter saying the EA will be inspecting in 4 days time, that If Im not in they will let themselves in and If I refuse to have the inspection that day they will charge me £20...Can they really do that?

BitterAndTwisted

No, they can't. Write back with an alternative date and time when it will be convenient to you. They have no right to enter a person's home without their express permission. I think you should mention your right to "quiet enjoyment".

Leory

another LA that thinks the laws dont apply to them.

You CAN change the locks fairly inexpensively if you feel that they will still enter regardless. keep the old locks if you choose to do this.

but as Bitter says, try to negotiate a better time for the inspection if it is a problem in 4 days, no need to go mental at them just yet!

charlie792

As it so happens I will actually be in this Monday but usually Im in Uni but I certainly do not like the idea that they will come in regardless. I havent exactly got anything to hide (except a hamster) but just think its a bit cheeky really, especially seeing as the landlord came round the property two days ago so he knows its hardly been trashed. If they dare try and tell me the damp is my fault there will be hell to pay...(my walls are lovely and discoloured)

BitterAndTwisted

Actually, an awful lot of condensation and damp problems are caused by the tenant's lifestyle rather than intrinsic issues with the build.

You would be quite within your rights to change the BARRELS of the locks to prevent any unauthorised access if you wanted to. No need to change the whole locks. New barrels could cost less than a tenner and it takes about ten minutes to do with a screwdriver. Keep the old barrels somewhere safe so you can replace them when you vacate.

While the agents are there make good use of their time by having a list of other repairs that need doing and give it to them when they turn up. Keep a copy.

charlie792

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Actually, an awful lot of condensation and damp problems are caused by the tenant's lifestyle rather than intrinsic issues with the build.

I personally don't think its anything to do with me, its rising from the ground and then up the walls on the external wall. Have attempted to sort it with a dehumidifier and physically drying the walls with a hair dryer but to no avail - its only in one room at the front of the house.

Edit: Sorry I didnt mean to sound rude to you there

Creamlampshade

Write a letter to the estate agency (write, copy in email/follow up by telephone & tell them you will be sending a letter) stating that you are amenable to inspections when advance notice is given to you at least 7 days before and it is a convenient time and that you will confirm that it is convenient IN WRITING at least 24 hours in advance. Tell them that you don't have any worries about an inspection but you want to be there. Then keep a copy. Send a copy to your LL as well as he may not be aware that EA/LA is acting this way. If you don't have the LLs address (not the EA as sometime they will try to fob you off with this), then write asking the EA for the LLs address.

Write as well to both parties to describe the damp problem (IN WRITING again) and any other issues as well. Have a look at some of the tips about damp on this forum. There are many.

If you feel your LA is inspecting your place too often, tell them you want it limited to every 6 months. I wouldn't play the quiet enjoyment card until you have to - it might get their backs up. If you do have to tell them about quiet enjoyment, be sure you change the locks so that they don't just think of coming in as and when. Keep the old lock barrels to replace them when you leave.

BTW, your deposit is in a scheme right? (if it is an AST after April 2007 and you are in England/Wales)

And if the agency continues to bother you about the charge for their 'missed appointment', tell them you'll be sending them a bill of your rates for your time as you'll have to take time (unpaid) off work. That might get the point home. They are paid by the LL regardless.

BitterAndTwisted

Gee, I dunno if that's quite the right way to negotiate when there's a damp problem which the OP would quite like to have sorted.