REnting How Often Can LA Inspect A Property

Cromer

We have been renting for nearly 18 months recently the LA sold out to another firm and they are now inspecting the property every 3 months. During the 1st year we had no inspections.
I have asked them why and they say there is no problem with the property and that the inspections will continue every 3 months during the Tenancy.

Are there any rules about this, I feel it's just a way of getting more money from the Landlord

Hump

None whatsoever.........

G_M

This is often a bone of contention. The bottom line is:

The landlord/agent has a right of access (often specified in the contract) but equally...

You have a right to 'quiet enjoyment' of the property a legal term for living there undisturbed. You can refuse any access.

These rights conflict. There's a detailed discussion of the law here.

The best solution is a compromise. Write (yes, write!) saying you are not willing to have 3 monthly inspections, for which you see no need, but you are happy to have 6? 9? monthly inspections.

LovelyLeeds

Cromer wrote: »

We have been renting for nearly 18 months recently the LA sold out to another firm and they are now inspecting the property every 3 months.

If you have the original contract and they haven't asked you to sign a new one, I'd see what it says on the original one, and hope it says every 6 months (or longer) - argue that you signed a contract and wish to stick to it.

Cromer

Thanks G_M
I will write to the LA

Cromer

Thanks LovelyLeeds I did check the contract it says they only have to give 24 hours notice in writing but nothing about how often.

Yorkie1

Despite what it says in your contract, you are not obliged to give the LL / LA permission to enter whenever they wish or on 24 hours' notice (unless it's an emergency). If you refuse them permission to enter (best to do it in writing) then your right to quiet enjoyment trumps their right to enter - they have to obtain a court order to do so.

However, full-on refusal is likely to lead to you getting a s.21 notice of intention to repossess the property - so it's worth not antagonising them more than you have to.

You could write, as others have suggested, stating that you see no need for 3-monthly inspections, particularly given the length of time you have been good tenants without issue (if that's true!), but that you are happy for inspections to be arranged every 6 months at a time mutually agreed between you and the LL / LA.

LovelyLeeds

Cromer wrote: »

Thanks LovelyLeeds I did check the contract it says they only have to give 24 hours notice in writing but nothing about how often.

Awww that's a shame. I rented for two years and hated it when the Letting Agents invoked the conract terms, I totally understood they had the right, but it was such an invasion. If you know you are keeping the property in reasonable order, why not quote that and suggest a 6 monthly inspection. Good luck.:A

LandyAndy

We rented (furnished) for 10 months. I think we had 3 inspections. Never caused me any problems. Perhaps, because I have been a homeowner for so long (30 years), I could appreciate the LLs point of view in terms of wanting to see how things were being treated and I never viewed renting as a long term thing?