Yet another tenancy/ inspection question

lynzpower

Ive just had an email from my letting agent saying that she wants to bring the LL round tomorrow for an inspection.

We wont be in as obviously we will be at work.

the LA had sent an email to my old work address ( my fault I never told her Id left) and now shes sent one to my hotmail.

I replied that she knows she needs to give 24 hours notice.

However, she said the LL is getting a train down from up north rtomorrow to come & see it

I expect they will just come in anyway.

If they do, and im not sure how Id know for sure if they had, what are my rights?

peter999

Is there any reason they could not arrange this in advance or give a week's notice ??

eg. you turn up announced at your landlord's for inspection/discussion.
I'm sure your landlord would not be happy.

It's just not polite.
I expect a week's notice.

peter999

lynzpower

quite, but then again, nothing suprises me these days with letting agents.

I wouldnt mind, but they are always dead when you go in there- not like they dont have the time to let me know!

I just cant see them not coming in if the LL is on route from the north in any case

Any one know what recourse we would have?

Sisyphus

Why didn't they send you a letter? Send back an e-mail to say that it is not convenient time for you. Deny them permission to enter in your absence. Call them or send them e-mail and confirm in writing by registered post. Suggest one or two dates at your convenience. It's not your fault the landlord booked a train without checking with you first.

lynzpower

I agree Sisyphus.

And quite frankly they know I know what Im on about , Ive offered them 2 dates- Saturday all day when Im off work or Tuesday when OH is off work all day. LA has said she will come on Tuesday - and we are to let her know what time is good.

The thing is I just cannot see the LL coming down on a train for 6 hours to take a look at the exterior. And I cant see the LA laying down the law either.

I started a new job today otherwise Id have stuck in a days leave to see them turn up through the door without my permission and then dealt with it then by giving it both barrells.

One thing is that we have a dog here ( LA agreed this was fine) and as we have had no contact from the LL, we presume the LA acts for them. Poor little jazzie our dog does get really distressed when people come here that are not us ( she doesnt destroy anything, she just weeps and shakes a lot) so I'll know if someones been in by her reaction when we get home. Havent got her to the "Skippy" level yet where she can speak but her behavour is obvious when shes stressed.

CB1979_2

strategically place something by the front door so it will get moved or something.

alternatively leave the place a complete mess and see if the LA/LL say anything

do you have any friends/family able to go round there for the day?

lynzpower

we dont im afraid otherwise Id drum them up to do it .

I like the idea about the mess!

franklee

Well done for putting your foot down. I would follow it up in writing, email is fine AFAIK, stating what happened this time and that you require all future visits do be done with notice AND your agreement to the appointment and that you do not want anyone coming in when you are not present. That way if they do breach it they have been warned and they know any incidents will be properly logged in writing so they have less chance of getting away with it.

You also do really need some entry detection set up. We put a couple of bits of masking tape (the paper like stuff that tears easily) on the inside of the front door and then leave by the back door. If the front door is opened the tape gets torn. It's cream, one bit down low and the other high up so it doesn't show. If you don't have a back door then maybe some tape on the kitchen door would do they are bound to go in there. Have a practise to make sure it's stuck on enough. Another method (that the dog may mess up) is to leave the internal doors ajar by a certain amount. That way you can tell if they've moved. Something that falls over by the front door would need a bit of practise as you don't want it to fall down by itself or when you come in or to block the door! Our back door works OK with a small coin trapped that falls down when opened. Again position this low down so it doesn't show when dropped, but so that you would notice.

lynzpower

excellent franklee, we'll leave by the back door tomorrow, and tape the front door :T they dont hve keys to the back door as we cahnged it ( with thier consent) to put our dog flap in our one, so we didnt damage thiers! So we have the key to that. theres actually a bolt on the back of the front door that theres no way they can open from the front! Wicked, thanks for this, really is appreciated. I would have never come up with that on my own- too much red mist :rotfl:

Incidentally, if someone came into your home without consent in this situ- what would you do ?

RHemmings

I saw a spy movie where the main character left a nearly invisible thread on the door handle. On returning to his apartment one day, he noticed that the thread had been knocked off, and was prepared for the foreign agent lurking in his home waiting to kill him.

You probably have a better relationship with your landlord than that. But rather than things behind the door where they will be seen, very subtle things such as threads on doors may help.

Otherwise if you have a voice operated tape recorder you could leave it around.

peter999

Luckily I have separate security gate which I can padlock.
I have to have advance warning to have clear up as my flat is tiny & full of clutter.

I became paranoid about keeping door locked when I found gas plumber coming through front door unannounced to do gas inspection.

Personally I wouldn't allow inspection without me present & would just say I cannot make an appointment & suggest alternative date convenient to myself.

If they say you don't have to be present, I'd just say I'll be there & cannot make appointment date, until they get the idea that they have to agree a date with me.

peter999