Landlord says council wants to inspect the house tomorrow

captain_planet

I rent a property with some friends, I’ve been there around three years. Just got a text message from the landlord saying the council have called saying they want to inspect the property tomorrow morning as it is a house of multiple occupation and he has asked that I leave my door unlocked.

If I was being kind I would describe my landlord as ‘clueless’ so I suspect he hasn’t done something he should have with the property.

Obviously I’m not happy about this, and I can’t see how the council would have a right to enter my room. I’ve not been told what the reason is. Does anyone know what my rights are, can the landlord refer the council to me to ask my permission. One solution is to lock the door on my room as I’m not having some people from the council enter my personal space with no idea of their purpose.

Any help would be much appreciated!

rentergirl

The council? Hmm...your landlord has the right to inspect with 24 hours written notice. This sounds dubious. tell him that.

csnann

It could be that your landlord is illegally subletting his own council house. If that is the case, you had better start looking for somewhere else to live as they ar likeky to evict you.

jjlandlord

There are strict regulations, including safety, for HMOs and all local councils inspect them.
Random example:
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgsl/701-750/715_inspections_of_hmos.aspx

If the council really is planning an inspection, it means it knows about it (a positive), and if the landlord is relaxed about it, it means that he's not fearing much (another positive).

rpc

Bear in mind that the council may have "Power of Entry" for this inspection. They shouldn't do this at first try, but that doesn't mean that they haven't.

Whoever answers the door to them should ask for ID and an explanation of the purpose of their visit. If that is all OK, don't get in their way. If it is an HMO inspection then they are there for your safety. They don't care about beer cans and !!!!!! stashes, they do care about smoke alarms, fire doors, etc.

transient

Deffo sounds like a sublet

Fire_Fox

Why would you want to be obstructive? HMO licenses are for YOUR protection as tenants, these are professionals not your landlord's mates. If the license is withdrawn you could end up homeless. Why not telephone the council and ask them for more information?

And stop communicating with your landlord by text message, that is hugely unprofessional on his part and you should not encourage it. He should be giving you written notice of any inspections or visits.

G_M

I can understand your reticence to let people into your room (your'space') when you are not there, but if it's is genuinely an HMO council inspecion, this is for your protection and benefit.

I would cooperate, but ideally try to arrange for at least one of the house sharers (do you all get on?) to be there.

captain_planet

Turns out is is indeed an HMO council inspecion which is fine, would ahve helped if he had clarified this! It's also been put off for now anyway, probably so he can get his mate to fix the fire alarms!

Don't worry guys, I'm moving out soon...

agrinnall

captain_planet wrote: »

Turns out is is indeed an HMO council inspecion which is fine, would ahve helped if he had clarified this! It's also been put off for now anyway, probably so he can get his mate to fix the fire alarms!

Don't worry guys, I'm moving out soon...

I'm not sure how much more clarity you wanted, given that you initially stated the LL told you

"the council have called saying they want to inspect the property tomorrow morning as it is a house of multiple occupation"

anotherginger

Councils still have to give 24 hours notice, which they would usually do by writing to the landlord and separately to the occupiers of the property. If I were you I would ring the Housing department of the council to check what your landlord has told you is true.