inspection without my presence can they do this?

when_will_it_end

hi all

i have an inspection tommorow, the time given is between 10 and 5, i called up to ask for a specific time as i do not want them coming in whilst im not here they said no time can be given and they will enter even though i asked them not to if no one is in can they do this

thanks

tbs624

Your LL has to give you a min of 24 hours written notice if s/he wishes to inspect the property's condition/state of repair. If the suggested date/time is not appropriate for you , then ask in writing for a new time/date, confirming that you wish to be present for all such inspections. Make two or three time/date suggestions that are good for you. It is perfectly possible for a LL to give a 2 hour time slot - some even manage to turn up within half an hour of an allocated time Be polite but assertive.

They cannot simply let themselves in to your home ( except in a genuine emergency). If you are concerned that they may do just that then simply change the barrel of the front door lock, keeping the original for replacement when your tenancy is up.

when_will_it_end

the lady was very adament on the phone that no time slot can be given and they will enter as they gave me plenty of notice and its not their fault i can not be there, i did change the locks but had to give a key to a builder that was fitting a new kitchen so i think that they now have the new key as i never recieved it back, i did say i would be in till noon then i have to go to work she said there was nothing she could do and they would just enter as its a legal requirement, what else can i do/say, its not the first time i have had problems

Grimbal

Do they have a back door key too? If not, you could always put the security chain over the front door & leave via the kitchen/patio doors

when_will_it_end

there is a mortice lock on the door but i dont know if they still have a key for that, just realised i have a small bolt on the top of the door, the back door has a double mortice lock and i know that the second lock can not be opened from the out side, can i do this will i get in to trouble?

ishu

Grimbal wrote: »

Do they have a back door key too? If not, you could always put the security chain over the front door & leave via the kitchen/patio doors

Perfect one! lol! not to worry

ruggedtoast

Physically if they have a key then yes. Legally no. If you deny access then the landlord technically has to get a court order to enter the property. They have no right to inspect your property at all if you dont want them to.

I would cite your entitlement to "quiet enjoyment" and but be helpful and say you are happy to confirm a time if they can. But be firm and make it clear you know your rights.

Letting agents are, essentially, giant !!!!s, and letting them walk all over you wont help you in the long run.

vuvuzela

when_will_it_end wrote: »

the lady was very adament on the phone that no time slot can be given and they will enter as they gave me plenty of notice and its not their fault i can not be there, i did change the locks but had to give a key to a builder that was fitting a new kitchen so i think that they now have the new key as i never recieved it back, i did say i would be in till noon then i have to go to work she said there was nothing she could do and they would just enter as its a legal requirement, what else can i do/say, its not the first time i have had problems

i would ask them to quote the statute or law that makes this a 'legal requirement'. If they are just doing an inspection of condition, then she is lying.

when_will_it_end

thanks for the advice

i am not going to call them again but email them, i am just going to say that i will be available untill noon tommorow, if this is not a time they can make i am happy to arrange another day/time with them where i can be present as i do not want anybody entering my home whist i am not in, does this sound ok?

propertyman

If the tenancy has a clause allowing access for inspections then on notice they ahve a contractual right.

There is also a statutory right to enter on notice to effect a repair.

Changing locks is a breach of your tenancy, they are not yours to change.

You do have the right to refuse entry and then they must obtain a court order to do so, or risk you taking actions against them.

But before you do, can I say this; it is your home but it is not yours; you do have a right to quiet enjoyment and privacy, however you are only using it for a period of time and the landlord has every right to ensure that you are taking care of it so that it returns in good order at the end of the tenancy. A regular inspection on notice is not really a great interference with that is it?

A few simple precautions with valuables and cash and documents and sometimes a quick tidy up is all you need think about ( or hide away the whips and chains )


Otherwise what is is your real objection to allowing this?

when_will_it_end

my objection is that on other occasions where i have not been in i left a note with repairs or things i thought should be noted, they did not make a note of any of them i ask them to look at particular things an they dont which has lead to me waiting months for repairs or for them to come back out to look, there are quite a few issues this time and i need to make sure every one of them is pointed out, they have also lied in the past about doing an inspection, they told me they entered the property but they did not as they did not have a key but then sent me an inspection report, i do not trust them, i have been broken in to also and the thought of someone i do not know entering my house, and my bedroom, well it makes me feel sick

yes i may be a bit paranoid but its the way i feel and to ask for a set date and time every 3 months i dont think is to much for them to give

thanks