Your thoughts on house inspections

Candy53

Hi,

We've lived in a HA house since the end of 2010. Out of the blue, a week ago, we received a letter from our landlords telling us that a man will be coming to have a look at the house. He will be going into every room, including the loft, and then outside of the house. We weren't told about these visits when we moved in, and they weren't mentioned in the tenancy agreement.

Now, I know when you rent you have to accept having your home periodically inspected, even though it is fair to say, it is very intrusive, but other places we have rented never included the bedrooms.

It struck me just how intrusive it 'is'. Right, those of you who own your houses, how would you like a stranger going up your stairs, going into your bedroom, then, your childrens bedroom, say if one of them was a teenage girl? I just feel it's a huge invasion of privacy, and way out of line.

Even if I'm stood with him, I don't like the thought of him being in my teenage daughter's bedroom, especially as the access to the loft is in there too.

Am I right to feel this way, or am I making too much of it?

Thanks,
Candy

BitterAndTwisted

You're making a mountain out of a molehill. I'm sure the Housing Association's suveyors are much too busy to be interested in snooping in your home and prying in your child's bedroom. Look at it as them providing you with a good service, which they are. Otherwise, should there be structural issues that need to be addressed or things needing to be maintained, how would they know?

Candy53

Well, they told us it was up to us to tell them about any repairs that needed doing, or problems with the house, which is why we've had work men coming and going all last year.:(

Candy

BitterAndTwisted

Some tenants are not responsible and only report issues once they have become long-standing and directly troublesome to them. A stitch in time etcetera. If I were a landlord I would never trust my tenants to report maintenance and repair issues in good time. Never forget that the property is the landlord's asset to protect and not yours.

Some social landlords can choose not to carry out refurbishment to tenant's properties where they haven't been allowed in to assess them. My own in particular. How would you feel if the HA are modernising kitchens or heating-systems and you could be the only one who doesn't get them?

Stop fretting and allow them in to inspect. No-one's interested in your daughter's knicker-drawer.

Gonzo33

I would have no issue with letting people in to inspect with that much notice. Mind you the only thing I would be worrying about is the mess that my tazmanian devil daughter creates.

studentsaver166

House inspections always feel intrusive, I agree with you there, but I think that they are a necessary evil. The fact is that if you live somewhere that is owned by someone else, they need to keep an eye on the basic structure and maintenance of the house as much for your benefit as for their own.
If it were me, I would merely accompany the inspector around the house, as I would with any stranger coming into my home. It sounds as though they will really only be interested in assessing the structures and condition of the property so try not to let it stress you out. They're usually in and out within about 20 minutes anyway.

Panda78

Agree with other posters, once the inspector has seen that your home is well kept, all they will be interested in is structural things and potential future repairs. Although i find them intrusive (i rent privately) the EA or LL inspecting has always been quite respectful and i think they understand that it does feel invasive. They're always as quick as possible, under 5 mins for a flat and under 10 mins for a house i would guess.

BitterAndTwisted

If you choose to deny them access they could decide that you have something to hide. Like you're running a brothel or have a cannabis plantation in the loft. They'd be quite within their rights to seek a court order to gain access so the quickest and least stress-free option is to admit them. And then be able to get whatever repairs or improvements they may have in mind.

serious_saver

I agree with the OP that it feels incredibly intrusive, but unfortunately it's a fact of life when you are a tenant.

It doesn't matter that it is not in your tenancy agreement because legally the landlord can do an inspection and only has to give you 24 hours notice. By giving you notice of a week the housing association are being more generous than most.

Also, you have been there over a year and this is the first inspection. Compared to a lot of landlords that is rather good. Hopefully once you've had the inspection it will be a while before you have another one.

Werdnal

Remember, they are only interested in the house itself - they will not be rifling through your knicker drawer !

Seriously though, they do these inspections day in and day out, and won't be the slightest bit interested in your personal possessions. They will probably want to look into any built in cupboards and your airing cupboard if you have a water tank/immersion heater in there, but otherwise, they will not open any wardrobes etc.

Use it as an opportunity to point out any issues you have with the property, anything that needs attention or repair. They have a vested interest in keeping the place in good condition, and may even be surveying with a view to replacing windows, roofs, loft insulation etc, so will ultimately be to your advantage.

I know it can be intrusive, but these are professional surveyors, just doing their job, and nothing to get too upset about.

dodger1

For me, not intrusive in the slightest.