Tenancy inspections

Mrs_Z

Hi there,
this is a question to all your people who are renting (from private landlords). Does your Landlord regularly come around to inspect the property? If so, how do you feel about it?

We have recently rented out our BTL property and I feel as though we ought to pop in at some point to make sure everything is ok and that the place is not in an absoulte state or anything but at the same time, I want to trust the tenant and do not wish to appear interfering with their lives. It's a difficult one.

G_M

Mrs_Z wrote: »

We have recently rented out our BTL property and I feel as though we ought to pop in at some point to make sure everything is ok and that the place is not in an absoulte state or anything but at the same time, I want to trust the tenant and do not wish to appear interfering with their lives. It's a difficult one.

I'm responding from a LL's perspective, not tenant's.
What does 'absolute state' mean? The tenant is entitled to live pretty much how they like, subject to a) returning the property as they found it; b) no health hazards; c) a 'tenant-like' manner (no real definition).

If they want to leave dirty clothes on the floor/not vacuum the carpet etc, that's their choice, so be careful understanding what you are trying to achieve here.

Your aim of "make sure everything is ok " is much nearer the mark, provided you mean OK from their perspective! Are they happy, or do they have complaints? Have they got a problem with the washing machine not working etc etc. (perhaps you forgot to leave the instruction manual and they can't figure out.....)

If you view the 'inspection' (and portray it to them) in this light, you are far more likely to have considerate tenants in return!

ps - do not 'pop in' uninvited. Never turn up unexpectedly, and if you do, don't expect to be invited in. It is their home. Ring and ask and/or write.

clutton_2

if this is a new tenancy you need to do an inspection to check on your property and to check if there are any repairs issues which need dealing with.,

i would send a short letter, hoping that they have settled in well, and asking if a) date or b) date are convenient for you to come and check on any repairs issues which may be arising. Give a few days notice.

then do the same thing 6 months later.

when_will_it_end

hi im a tenant, i have an inspection every 6 months
they walk around the house mainly looking at the walls, fixtures and fittings and ask if there is any problems, one spotted a damp patch starting

i obviously clean up but its never perfect, who's house is with kids..hehe

FATBALLZ

If you are going to do 'inspections', I'd suggest you maybe do one 3 months in, 6 months later, and then only every couple of years after that. I've had one every 3 months for over 3 years and it has been incredibly intrusive and I'd suggest would qualify as harassment if I could be bothered to do anything about it.

BitterAndTwisted

A periodic inspection is the tenant's opportunity to bring repair issues to your notice. How often they choose to do the vacuuming is none of your business.

FATBALLZ

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

A periodic inspection is the tenant's opportunity to bring repair issues to your notice. How often they choose to do the vacuuming is none of your business.

Assuming the tenant has a telephone they don't need an inspection to bring repair issues to the landlords notice.

Doom_and_Gloom

We rent and the LL/LA do usually do an inspection after 3months/6 months/1 year depending on how long the contract is, if it is the initial contract etc.
Saying this our last LL didn't do any formal inspections but I think that is because when we did have a problem we said about it ASAP and the person that came round to sort out the problem worked for our LL anyway to do the inspections as well. He was always happy with the place so I think the LL didn't worry about it with us in a 'formal' way due to that.

Inspections are a good thing for LL and tenants. Tenants can bring up problems that they know aren't urgent enough to call up/write to the LL about and a LL can make sure the place is being looked after. You do have to give notice of wanting to do an inspection.
If the initial contract is 6 months I wouldn't see it as a bad thing if the 1st inspection was 3 months after the start of the contract, however after that every 6 months to a year should be more than enough. That is unless you think there are problems that you want to keep an eye on. If a LL wanted an inpection every 3 months and it was obvious we were keeping the place in good order we wouldn't like it very much for example.

ViolaLass

clutton wrote: »

if this is a new tenancy you need to do an inspection to check on your property and to check if there are any repairs issues which need dealing with.

Surely you would have checked it before you let it.

Benji

FATBALLZ wrote: »

If you are going to do 'inspections', I'd suggest you maybe do one 3 months in, 6 months later, and then only every couple of years after that. I've had one every 3 months for over 3 years and it has been incredibly intrusive and I'd suggest would qualify as harassment if I could be bothered to do anything about it.

While I may disagree with your comment about harassment, I would agree that once every 3 months for an established tenant is excessive - and if I were a tenant in that situation it would make me feel uneasy and potentially make me leave the property earlier than I otherwise would.

As has been said above - it is none of the landlords business if you want to keep coal in the bath (so long as you don't damage it) - so the automatic 'must tidy the place from top to bottom' mentality before an inspection is un-necessary. If you have pile of dirty plates in the sink,and unwashed laundry in a pile somewhere, so be it.

From a landlords point of view, I would err on the slightly more frequent than mentioned above - maybe once every 6 months - which seems to correlate with most letting agents practices. It is important to keep up a dialogue with your tenants whilst protecting your property.

I know this may sound silly - but if Ts have kids, an approprite toy from the pound shop / Asda etc can make those visits much more light-hearted (non-spying!).

G_M

FATBALLZ wrote: »

Assuming the tenant has a telephone they don't need an inspection to bring repair issues to the landlords notice.

You'd be surprised how many tenants don't report repairs/problems, then complain the landlord hasn't maintained the property.

Violalass; Surely you would have checked it before you let it.

Have they got a problem with the washing machine not working etc etc. (perhaps you forgot to leave the instruction manual and they can't figure out.....)

No LL is perfect - hopefully most would check the property was in good condition before letting, but often problems only come to light when the property is lived in (one radiator not heating up?). Or the tenant may simply not understand how something works.

It's good practice, and polite, to ensure the tenant has setled in and is satisfied. Many restaurants ask customers during the meal "is everything OK?" - same difference.