Landlord would like to visit...

lghw

At first glance, this might not seem like a problem. Read on.

We have a landlord, who usually lives abroad. We have a managing agent, who we deal with for general issues. The agent told us a while back that the landlord would be in the UK and wanted to visit us. We were fine with this, and agreed a time. In fact, we wanted to meet him to talk some important things through with him (including the possibility of having the cavity walls insulated via the current British Gas offer). Unfortunately, the weekend that was suggested was a weekend when we planned to visit distant family, but we cancelled this to accommodate the landlord's visit.

Two days before the visit, I asked the managing agent if we were still on. They informed us that the landlord had realised that the appointment was shortly after dusk, and the landlord wanted to visit during daylight hours. Unfortunately, by this time we had made other arrangements for the rest of the day so that our weekend wasn't wasted. We explained that we had cancelled a trip away to accommodate the visit, and the agent said they would ask the landlord if he could still come at the agreed time. We were only told 24 hours before the appointment that the landlord had said no.

The managing agent has now requested a meeting another weekend. As I have said, we have no objection to the visit and would like to talk to the landlord, but we have already gone out of our way to try and accommodate the meeting, and do not wish to lose further weekends to this - especially with so many family spread widely across the country and Christmas fast approaching.

We both work/travel for 12 hours per day during the week, so the only time we get to spend as a family is at the weekend. We've explained this to the agent, but they're still pushing for a meeting.

Is there anything we can do in this situation, without the managing agent thinking we're simply trying to get out of any kind of "inspection"?

19lottie82

Simply provide the agent (and LL) with a list of times / dates that are suitable, and ask them to select one.

joolsybools

Just refuse any weekend visit as the first one was cancelled and do a weekday appointment instead. Or say that if the next weekend appointment is cancelled you will charge a cancellation fee. Why does he want to visit during the day? You have a right to quiet enjoyment of the property, so can refuse his visit unless it is specifically written into the contract.

V_Chic_Chick

If the landlord wants to visit during daylight hours, then presumably that is because he wants to inspect something outside. Tell him that he can do that at his leisure, but giving 24 hours notice.

You can then arrange a separate visit for anything that needs to be done inside, where presumably electric lighting will do the trick. I second Lottie's suggestion of providing a list of suitable times.

G_M

It does seem reasonable for the LL to want to visit his property while in the country. And also to do so in daylight. This is to your benefit too as he will probobly be visually checking for slipped roof tiles etc. and perhaps deciding whether the extrnal woodwork (window frames, soffits) need a coat of paint.

However, V Chic Chick says, assuming he can get access to the rear, why not suggest he just comes round to do his visual external check in your absence (though telling you when in advance) and them comes back in the evening to meet you/check inside/ discuss insulation etc?

lghw

Yes. I have no aversion to him visiting (although I was under the impression that, with a managing agent, any maintenance problems went through them).

G_M

lghw wrote: »

Yes. I have no aversion to him visiting (although I was under the impression that, with a managing agent, any maintenance problems went through them).

It's his property.
He is the one who receives your rent (even if he doesn't collect it directly.)
And he is the one who has to pay for any required maintenance.
And if the roof starts to leak and water gradually causes damage inside, it's he who has to pick up the bill.

The agent just does what he instructs them to do (and generally the minimum possible!). If you report a problem to the agent, they will either refer it to the LL for permission to pay to fix it, or if he's given them authority, they might fix it straight off.

But if you've never reported the 'slipped roof tile', the agent is unlikely to check or do anything till you complain of water coming through the ceiling! So a sensible LL will do regular checks of things like this. (£50 to replace a tile Vs £1500 to re-build a ceiling and redecorate!)

He may also be interested on your feedback on the agent. After all, he's abroad. He has to trust the agent. But does he actually know/beleive what the agent is doing? You can warn him if the agent is incompetant or re-assure him the agent is doing a good job!