Council want to inspect my flat

LeShark

Hi everyone

I wasn't sure where to post this so hopefully someone will move if it shouldn't be here.

I live in my own flat in an old Victorian house that was converted into 5 self contained flats.

Recently I think someone from another flat (rented) asked the council to come and check out the common areas and for some reason they've contacted me about it.

The council contact (from the HMO team) now say they want to inspect my flat to complete their inspection.

My question is as I own my flat - why do they need to inspect and do they have the right to?

Thanks in advance

pimento

I'd be telling them to wind their necks in. You don't have to let them in.

wealdroam

I would want to know which part of the council wants to visit before allowing a visit to take place.

For example, I can perhaps understand someone with council tax responsibilities wanting to confirm whether you flat really has one bedroom or four.

Also, if you get a council tax discount if you live alone, they may want to confirm this. (no idea whether they are allowed to visit for this reason though)

I can also see that either planning control or building regs people might be interested if a problem was discovered in another flat.

In other words OP, you may not have the right to refuse a visit from your local council.

LeShark

But from what I can see online they can but I'm confused if that's just for rented property or for all properties

LisaLou1982

Ring them back OP and ask to speak to the relevant person and ask why they want to look at your property when it is privately owned. Im sure they will tell you

timbo58

ask them why they need to visit given that the property is not owned by them.

vaio

if they have already done then common areas then they probably want to make sure all the doors giving access to the common areas are up to date re fire resistance

Mankysteve

timbo58 wrote: »

ask them why they need to visit given that the property is not owned by them.

I wouldn't automatically tell them to "wind there necks in" plus it may well be in your deeds to allow them access for certain reason with certain conditions if there mangering the property call them ask what exactly there inspecting for it could well be in your best intentions to allow them access.

CIS

If its a HMO and they believe that there are hazards they they do have legal powers of entry (depending on the exact situation) - http://www.lacors.gov.uk/lacors/NewsArticleDetails.aspx?id=19827

macman

Is it or is it not an HMO? If it's not, it's none of their concern. The common areas are the responsibility of the freeholder or management company.

vaio

whether it is a HMO or not if the OP's front door opens onto common area then the front door needs to comply with the fire regs and the inspection might well be related to that.