Letting agency visit

Mulder00

We just received a letter from the letting agency who is managing the property saying they will be around in January to come and inspect the property and since they have keys, we don't have to be around and they will just let themselves in. What is the correct response to this to tell them that this is not okay now, nor is it ever okay???

Blackpool_Saver

They probably think they are doing you a favour if you are at work or whatever, but of course it is not ok for normal people, I had to point out very nicely that I would not accept this.
Send a polite letter saying this and asking for a phone call to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.

G_M

First decide if you are happy for them to come in your absence. On the plus side you can carry on with your life/work without taking time off. On the minus side, a stranger is wondering around your home.

Then write back politely either saying fine go ahead, or please arrange an appointment so we can be here.

Mulder00

Thanks, definitely NOT happy with having a complete stranger going through our house. What if stuff goes missing or things break?

I'll be writing that letter today!

tbs624

*Write* to the LA (retain a copy) and thank them for their letter. Tell them that you wish to be present during all inspections etc and confirm whether their proposed date/time is suitable for you. If their time/date is not possible for you then offer them a choice of alternatives.

Ask them to confirm the *agreed* time/date in writing (via email if you are happy with that) and to update their records (it is not unknown for an LA to "forget" to take the original date/time out of their diary and still try to gain access by key)

There should be no issue, because you are not refusing access, merely seeking a mutually convenient time and date. The main thing is, as G_M and Blackpool Saver suggest, to keep it polite.

Remember also to use the inspection as a two-way process, with you flagging up any repair/maintenance issues of which you are aware - give the info to the LA in written form and, again, keep a copy for your own records.

orangeslimes

My letting agents do that (although they specify a date) - I just email them back saying I'm at work then - please can we rearrange. They have never had a problem doing so and have even agreed to come outside their normal working hours.

I have also found inspections can be useful as you can meet the letting agents and point out problems...

madnlooney

when i received a letter about a visit i just gave them a call and said i would rather be present so rearranged it. They totally understood and were fine with it

alexanderalexander

Firstly, check the terms of your contract to see if it allows them to do it. If it doesn't have anything about inspections, you don't have to let them in at all as you have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property (although if you want to maintain a good relationship with your letting agent you may still wish to cooperate to some extent!)

If it does allow them to do it, consider whether the term is "reasonable". Whether or not a term is "reasonable" is a complicated bit of law, but if it says "the letting agent can enter the property without the tenant's permission or without any cause to inspect it at any time with no notice" that would probably be unreasonable. If it says "the letting agent may inspect the property once per quarter between the hours of 9 to 5 Monday to Friday having given the tenant at least one week's notice" then I am afraid that that will probably be considered reasonable, so if the letting agent wants to come in when you're not there then there's probably nothing you can do (although any reasonable letting agent who wants to keep a good relationship with you should be happy to rearrange anyway).

Incidentally, the attitudes expressed on this thread have surprised me rather. I have had letting agents ask to enter my flat when I'm not there on numerous occasions for various legitimate reasons (mainly to organise or perform repairs), and I've never even thought anything of it -- going around other people's houses is exactly what their profession is after all, so one ought to be able to trust them! When you work full time it just seems so much easier. Each to their own, of course.

Callie22

alexanderalexander wrote: »

Incidentally, the attitudes expressed on this thread have surprised me rather. I have had letting agents ask to enter my flat when I'm not there on numerous occasions for various legitimate reasons (mainly to organise or perform repairs), and I've never even thought anything of it -- going around other people's houses is exactly what their profession is after all, so one ought to be able to trust them! When you work full time it just seems so much easier. Each to their own, of course.

I wouldn't trust a letting agent as far as I could throw them. When I first started renting, I was very trusting and allowed both the landlord and agent free access to the property whenever they requested it. However, on more than one occasion I came home to find windows left open, and even the doors left unlocked. Fortunately nothing happened, but ultimately I felt that I couldn't trust anyone else with the security of my 'home'. My insurance, for example, would not have paid out had the door been left unlocked and I'd been burgled.

More recently, I've found that many agents treat tenants with an attitude that borders on contempt and I don't want people like that wandering round my 'home' unsupervised. During one inspection my current agent decided it was ok to stand on my bed (in his outdoor shoes) so that he could swing the lampshade around to 'look for mould'. Given that he felt that was an ok thing to do in my presence I dread to think what he'd do on if he was on his own.

Guest101

alexanderalexander wrote: »

Firstly, check the terms of your contract to see if it allows them to do it. If it doesn't have anything about inspections, you don't have to let them in at all as you have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property (although if you want to maintain a good relationship with your letting agent you may still wish to cooperate to some extent!)

If it does allow them to do it, consider whether the term is "reasonable". Whether or not a term is "reasonable" is a complicated bit of law, but if it says "the letting agent can enter the property without the tenant's permission or without any cause to inspect it at any time with no notice" that would probably be unreasonable. If it says "the letting agent may inspect the property once per quarter between the hours of 9 to 5 Monday to Friday having given the tenant at least one week's notice" then I am afraid that that will probably be considered reasonable, so if the letting agent wants to come in when you're not there then there's probably nothing you can do (although any reasonable letting agent who wants to keep a good relationship with you should be happy to rearrange anyway).

Incidentally, the attitudes expressed on this thread have surprised me rather. I have had letting agents ask to enter my flat when I'm not there on numerous occasions for various legitimate reasons (mainly to organise or perform repairs), and I've never even thought anything of it -- going around other people's houses is exactly what their profession is after all, so one ought to be able to trust them! When you work full time it just seems so much easier. Each to their own, of course.

Quiet enjoyment doesn't disappear because a contract is reasonable. The tenant can always say no. Always. Not rearrange, just no.

The ll can then go to court to enforce the contract and the court decides.

Not saying ppl should do this, but so they are aware

G_M

Guest101 wrote: »

The ll can then go to court to enforce the contract and the court decides.

Not saying ppl should do this, but so they are aware

True. With court costs being awarded to ........