Tenancy Inspection - LA not agreeing to a set time

skint-student-nurse

Hi all,

Im renting a property with a now periodical tenancy agreement. The LA took over the management of the property last year and now they want to carry out an inspection,which is fine. The problem is that they have given me a date but said they will 'pop in between 9am-12pm' which I said isnt convenient due to the fact I wont finish work until 2am and I might still be in bed, so i requested a set time and they said they would leave me until last but it the time would depend on their other inspections that they are making that day. The initial email said that they would not need me to be present, that they would just let themselves in - I have already requested to be present in writing due to previous issues with the landlord and letting agent just letting themselves in.

thanks for reading

anselld

Doesn't seem unreasonable. You can still have 8 hours sleep and be up at 10am. Should be fine if they have put you last to visit.

Norman_Castle

The initial email said that they would not need me to be present, that they would just let themselves in - I have already requested to be present in writing due to previous issues with the landlord and letting agent just letting themselves in.

I would not allow any landlord to let themselves. Changing your locks may be very cheap and easy. Describe them or post pictures for advice.

I would advise the landlord you will be available between 11 and 12. Before this you will be asleep. Use a door chain if you have one. I would also insist they do not let themselves in at any time.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting/about_private_renting/landlords_responsibilities

PasturesNew

This is one of the problems with agents and these "inspections" - they randomly send you a letter telling you the date (usually fairly short notice), then they won't/can't tell you a time. And if you try to set a time, or narrow it down, they speak to you as if you're a trouble maker/trying to hide something.

skint-student-nurse

thanks, I should have said that my job is safety critical and with my shift pattern,so rest is important (LA know this) chances are I will be wide awake when I finish work so I dont know if I will be going straight to bed after work, if you see what I mean. Im just trying to avoid a situation where the LA lets themselves in or wakes me up.

The LA and LL let themselves in on two separate occasions before when I was asleep 'out of concern' because they were passing by (I live off the main road, my property is not visible from the main road) as my curtains were closed and there was some post on the floor...

Guest101

I suggest, given the two previous intrusions. U tell them either to set a time, or u change the locks.

Fairly straightforward.

Norman_Castle

The LA and LL let themselves in on two separate occasions before when I was asleep 'out of concern' because they were passing by (I live off the main road, my property is not visible from the main road) as my curtains were closed and there was some post on the floor...

Out of concern?. Twice!. Nonsense.
The time for the visit needs to be mutually agreed. Tell them when you are available.
This is a Euro lock. If yours looks the same they cost about £8 and can be changed by you in five minutes.

G_M

Personally I think the agents have been reasonable, by scheduling you last on their list. So your inspection will be 10 am or later.

However you also say they have twice let themselves in despite your having writen requesting them not to.

So change the locks.

Either get up at 10 to let them in when they arrive, or if you want to risk antagonising them, write (yes, write) telling them to come betwen 11 & 12.

But see here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXAo7zSN-9o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1WP3o4jAFc

martindow

As you are indoors you can slide up the latch or a bolt if there is one - there is no need to change locks to prevent them letting themselves in. I would let them know that 11-12 would be convenient for you and that they will not be able to come in before then as you will be asleep after finishing a late shift. You could also offer 11am to 2pm as a possible time so they still have a three hour window.

kinger101

martindow wrote: »

As you are indoors you can slide up the latch or a bolt if there is one - there is no need to change locks to prevent them letting themselves in. I would let them know that 11-12 would be convenient for you and that they will not be able to come in before then as you will be asleep after finishing a late shift. You could also offer 11am to 2pm as a possible time so they still have a three hour window.

But they've probably also been letting themselves in when OP is out.

Pixie5740

Does leaving your keys in the door prevent someone from using their keys on the other side to let themselves in? It's what I used to do when a LL allowed their cousin to use my home as their postal address and gave the cousin a set of keys to come and go as they please to pick up their post.