Tenancy inspections

tbs624

Mrs_Z wrote: »

... I'm thinking more in terms of damage to the fixtures and fittings, not opening the bathroom window after a shower so that condensation and mould develops etc. We also specified that no smoking was allowed, and whilst the tenant admitted having the odd cigarette, he did promise not to smoke in the premises and I'd like to ensure that that is the case.

There is not much you can do about it, during the Fixed Term, if your T does smoke in the property other than eventually use his tenancy deposit for any necessary redecoration/cleaning because of marks/odour left by the smoke. It can be useful to leave an info sheet, in with the other blurb about the property, on how to avoid damp and condensation issues. Haringey Council has an excellent online file.

T is obliged to return the property in the same condition as when let, save for fair wear and tear. If you thoroughly referenced your T before the let and you have a tenancy deposit ( scheme registered if property in Eng/Wales) you have to not be too "precious".

BitterAndTwisted

Write back in plenty of time offering them an alternative date for when it would be convenient. They cannot charge you a fee for not being available for the appointment, even if they think that they can. I would say that that would be an unforceable clause.

Tell them that you are at home every Saturday morning until noon, so they can arrange for an inspection then.

G_M

Callie22 wrote: »

We moved into our current property about a month ago. Last week we got a letter telling us that we would be having a property inspection on the last Friday in July, at 5pm, and if we weren't there to let the LA in then they would be charging us for our time - oh, and we can't ask for the appointment to be rearranged. I appreciate the notice but I do think that over six weeks is a little excessive, and their uncompromising attitude leaves a bit to be desired ...

Honestly, LAs drive me insane. The first question they bark at you is 'are you both working' - but then their policies and practices make it so difficult for working people to work with them. In order to be there for there inspection, I'm going to have to book leave - I don't see why they can't offer a more convenient time.

Good of them to give plenty of notice. But....!!

You can refuse. But do so politely. Write back (yes, do it in writing, not a phone call which will become argumentative AND of which you'll have no record) and explain you'll both be at work but any evening that week between 6 and 7 (or whatever) will be fine if they'd like to tell you which is convenient for them.

If you are concerned they might ignore you and let themselves in, buy a new barrel for the lock (£5?) and change it (keep the old one to replace when you leave).

Having written to them, they canNOT charge you (well they can, but you can refuse to pay)

ps - send copies to both the agent AND the landlord.

tbs624

Alternatively offer them a lunchtime appointment if your workplace is not too far away, on a couple of possible dates.

Callie22

tbs624 wrote: »

Alternatively offer them a lunchtime appointment if your workplace is not too far away, on a couple of possible dates.

I'd like to do that, but it's not possible. My work is a good half-hour walk away, and I only get half-an-hour for lunch otherwise that's a good idea. What's annoyed me a bit is that we got the letter just after reporting some problems with the property. It feels a bit tit for tat and it's made me just a little uncomfortable, because the LA really haven't been that efficient and I really doubt that they're usually that orgainsed to book appointments that far in advance.

ViolaLass

The same happened to me, Callie22. I sent the LA, who has been generally OK, a letter mentioning a couple of things that don't need fixing now but might one day (I didn't want them to say "You never told us" when we eventually move out). In return I got an email asking when they could do an inspection with no mention or acknowledgment of my letter (which I know they got because it was with our tenancy agreement, which they have acknowledged).

G51shopaholic

Worked in letting for over 7yrs.

Inspection details should be listed in the contract so all parties are clear on details.

Tenants have right to refuse appointment time and cannot be charged for this.

When I wrote out to tenants re inspection visits we always asked permission to enter with keys, we also offered evening appointment if required.

SuzieSue

It is important to inspect the property especially at the beginning of the tenancy. I know someone whose property was turned in to a cannabis factory. The "perfect" family she thought she had rented it to turned out to be a decoy for the criminals. The rent was paid on time and so she didn't bother to inspect it.

PasturesNew

How'd you feel if your bank manager phoned up to say he was in the area on Wednesday and would like to pop in to make sure that your home was being looked after properly - after all, it's not yours, it's the bank's until you've paid for it ... they should protect their financial investment/interests maybe too.

t0rt0ise

I lived for 4 years in a house rented to a Housing Association and from them to me. They used to do inspections and I have to say that I felt absolutely awful about it. I felt like I was being treated like scum.. a bit like a lot of the people on here think of all those who need housing help. I hated it and was so glad when I finally got a proper HA house with a normal tenancy and never had another inspection... LOL.. except one inspection when moving out of my last HA house and she said in a surprised voice as she came in "oh you keep it nice don't you". Silly cow!