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Austin and Wyatt High Charges on Missed Appointments

135

Comments

  • propertyman
    propertyman Posts: 2,922 Forumite
    That is your assumption. In larger organisations or well structured companies, the sales force do work outside office hours is part of the incentivised remuneration, however function dedicated inspection staff ( or back office admin) often do not.

    They plan their inspections on an optimum route over any months and give sufficient notice so that the 2 to 4 inspections year minimise inconvenience to the occupiers.

    Inspections are primarily of benefit to the the landlord to monitor their investment and your use and occupation of it. Any benefit to an occupier is frankly incidental.

    It's the price of renting a home.

    The other current thread about the landlord arriving to find the let home full of bags of poo and jam jars or urine is an extreme example, but there are many of simple abuse, and while you might hope that they trust you, as the greatest modern era US President Reagan said " trust , but verify" .
    Stop! Think. Read the small print. Trust nothing and assume that it is your responsibility. That way it rarely goes wrong.
    Actively hunting down the person who invented the imaginary tenure, "share freehold";
    if you can show me one I will produce my daughter's unicorn
  • marliepanda
    marliepanda Posts: 7,186 Forumite
    propertyman, you say it is unfair to expect the LA to work outside of normal working hours.

    So why is it fair for them to charge £30 to the OP who also works those same hours so was not at home to let them in, whilst also saying they cannot change the appointments?
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    propertyman, you say it is unfair to expect the LA to work outside of normal working hours.

    So why is it fair for them to charge £30 to the OP who also works those same hours so was not at home to let them in, whilst also saying they cannot change the appointments?
    I agree. It is not on in any way shape or form to say "We are coming at <time> on <date> and we are not negotiating that appointment and we will charge you £30 if you are not there".

    This form of demand on the tenant is indefensible.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • What are you supposed to do if you work, say, 8am - 6pm and the inspection staff only work, say, 9am - 5pm?

    It surprises me how many public-facing industries (such as EAs) simply aren't available outside of "normal working hours" - with such members of the public maybe not expecting "that they have a right to work office hours", but having no choice in the matter?
    You were only killing time and it'll kill you right back
  • marliepanda
    marliepanda Posts: 7,186 Forumite
    What are you supposed to do if you work, say, 8am - 6pm and the inspection staff only work, say, 9am - 5pm?

    It surprises me how many public-facing industries (such as EAs) simply aren't available outside of "normal working hours" - with such members of the public maybe not expecting "that they have a right to work office hours", but having no choice in the matter?

    I am sure if a prospective tenant/buyer (ie ££££) asked for an out of hours appointment, it would suddenly be an option.

    TBH I am more surprised that this LA doesnt havent their own keys... (not that I am a fan of appointments in my absence, and nor may the OP)
  • Thrugelmir
    Thrugelmir Posts: 89,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic

    The charge just seems so high for '15mins' look around the property which is stated in there letter.

    The charge will set high to discourage people from wasting their time.

    My dentists surgery wasted over 1800 hours of treatment time in the past 12 months. Due to people failing to turn up. So now 2 missed appointments and you get struck off as a patient.

    If paying a charge is the way forward. Fine by me. As it down to attitude at the end of the day.
  • marliepanda
    marliepanda Posts: 7,186 Forumite
    Thrugelmir wrote: »
    The charge will set high to discourage people from wasting their time.

    My dentists surgery wasted over 1800 hours of treatment time in the past 12 months. Due to people failing to turn up. So now 2 missed appointments and you get struck off as a patient.

    If paying a charge is the way forward. Fine by me. As it down to attitude at the end of the day.

    So you would be happy for your dentist to say 'Thrugelmir, you have to turn up at 5.00pm on Thursday, or we will charge you £30?' you'd be happy about that? And rearrange your work to fit your dentists whims?

    If the OP said 'pleasw come inspect at x time on x date', and then wasn't there, then I 100% understand a charge. But telling them when they need to be home or face a £30 charge is ridiculous.
  • propertyman
    propertyman Posts: 2,922 Forumite
    I must admit that the recent posts make me laugh. While completely missing the point of my earlier posts it just shows the underlying problem. A righteous expectation that everyone and everything should be arranged for your convenience, including the right to "blow off" an appointment without any regard.

    The dentist is a fee earning person your non attendance costs them money. They would be right to charge a fee, or remove you from their list.

    They might accept a one off dna, but not twice. And in all cases a quick call might change matters.

    If someone can't behave considerately, recognise who has the power- in this case the Agency can deduct the charges knowing that it will take some time and effort to challenge them, and for the dentist to charge you or remove you from the list.

    Don't be surprised when you expect things to be done at your convenience that people treat you in the same manner.
    Stop! Think. Read the small print. Trust nothing and assume that it is your responsibility. That way it rarely goes wrong.
    Actively hunting down the person who invented the imaginary tenure, "share freehold";
    if you can show me one I will produce my daughter's unicorn
  • propertyman
    propertyman Posts: 2,922 Forumite
    What are you supposed to do if you work, say, 8am - 6pm and the inspection staff only work, say, 9am - 5pm?

    It surprises me how many public-facing industries (such as EAs) simply aren't available outside of "normal working hours" - with such members of the public maybe not expecting "that they have a right to work office hours", but having no choice in the matter?

    But that's not entirely correct, as many letting and sales staff do work outside office hours, especially in a weak economy, and can contract out of 48 hour working time directives.

    It is the expectation that a person will want to see them at 8pm, and act surprised, if not angrily, when they are not in at 9am the next morning, or having dealt with them Saturday and Sunday, that Monday is their day off.

    Inspections are a fact of renting life,
    -you use a half day or
    -arrange it around other things you need time off to do.
    -or take a sickie
    -lie say the boiler went bang
    -ask the employer to come in late/go early and make up the time
    -work from home
    Stop! Think. Read the small print. Trust nothing and assume that it is your responsibility. That way it rarely goes wrong.
    Actively hunting down the person who invented the imaginary tenure, "share freehold";
    if you can show me one I will produce my daughter's unicorn
  • Inspections are a fact of renting life,
    -you use a half day or
    -arrange it around other things you need time off to do.
    -or take a sickie
    -lie say the boiler went bang
    -ask the employer to come in late/go early and make up the time
    -work from home

    Not things I'll be doing in order to allow my LA to carry out inspections (which are, as mentioned above by someone, purely for the benefit of the LL)... especially when:
    - they're not open Saturdays, Sundays or evenings
    - they don't leave an emergency contact on their voicemail
    - they won't move our inspections to less inconvenient days
    - they wouldn't move our check-in by one hour
    - they wouldn't allow us to sign contracts earlier so check-in was just collecting keys
    - there are four inspections a year, that's 2 days holidays (~10% of annual leave allowance)

    Surely this should be a matter of give and take, and I certainly don't see any give from them!

    (I also cannot work from home and seem to work both late and early already!)
    You were only killing time and it'll kill you right back
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