Landlord doing inspections - how often is 'reasonable'?

sharp910sh

I have installed cameras, they can inspect no issues I will be watching them.

martindow

Agents are keen on doing frequent inspections as they are no doubt charging the LL a fee for doing them. As has been said I would use this as an opportunity to point out faults as they go round and present them with a sheet of outstanding issues that require repair. There is no need to spring clean the house house but it is a good idea to have it reasonably straight and provide G_M's cake (I thought it was cream teas now, G_M?).

This may get some minor issues fixed and could be useful when you come to leave proving that you have previously reported faults if they try to take money from your deposit.

exiled_red

Every three months seems reasonable to me at least in the first year, they may become less frequent as you build up a relationship with the landlord. To be honest with some of the places I used to rent I found this a good time to point out any problems and get them sorted as some of my landlords/letting agents weren't so great at getting things sorted.

ultimatedingbat

Ours are every 6 months on renewal of tenancy

Emanef

Thanks all. I do think that landlords, especially managing agents, see it as a business and forget that it's actually the person's home.

We've not been in the property that long so it's the first inspection, so I guess once they can see we are looking after it they'll be better, but I'm going to tell them every six months is acceptable. I've also made it clear that they cannot just send us a letter to say they're coming and turn up and must agree with us verbally before visiting (if it had been a few weeks later we'd have been away and my mum house sitting, she wouldn't have opened the letter and would have been freaked out and put in a difficult situation if some agent just rocked up and let themselves in and wandered around!)

martindow wrote: »

This may get some minor issues fixed and could be useful when you come to leave proving that you have previously reported faults if they try to take money from your deposit.

They're a reasonably big estate agent and have an online form for logging faults, issues, etc.

Rain_Shadow

I've only rented once, for ten months. I think we had three inspections in that time, about 20 minutes each without rushing. I didn't feel that was excessive at all.

Guest101

G_M wrote: »

Oh come on - it takes a good few minutes for the kettle to boil. Then you've got to get the tray laid and give the tea time to brew (I hate weak tea).

And cake should never be rushed or you just end up with indegestion.

haha, a fresh cup and a slice in every room?

drbluebox

From what I hear as common problems its a privacy thing and the landlords attitude that they can basically do what they want as its their property and you are just a tenant.

I only had a "inspection" in general terms once when letters kept getting returned to sender due to lazy postman and landlord and agency phoned me on phone shouting and screaming that I wasn't living there and did a runner and sent someone round to inspect who didn't even know why they were sent round so I let them in.

I can understand privacy and enjoyment issues as I have had landlords let themselves in whenever they wanted and be excessive with "issues" like I have 1 plate and 1 pan in sink soaking as was in a rush to go out and being told property is a tip (yes that was reason for LL's complaint and they didn't even ask permission to "inspect") and had another who I told I would live in the HMO for at least a year more to get a phone call and email one morning saying property and my bedroom was a tip because the bed was unmade and dressing gown was on top of bed (as I slept in) despite not a single piece of dirt in property, all bins being empty as I am OCD and being so clean all my flatmates friends were basically inviting me to live with them as I was tidying up after other people so place looked like it was unlived.

So some LL's/agents are really taking advantage.

Guest101

drbluebox wrote: »

From what I hear as common problems its a privacy thing and the landlords attitude that they can basically do what they want as its their property and you are just a tenant.

I only had a "inspection" in general terms once when letters kept getting returned to sender due to lazy postman and landlord and agency phoned me on phone shouting and screaming that I wasn't living there and did a runner and sent someone round to inspect who didn't even know why they were sent round so I let them in.

I can understand privacy and enjoyment issues as I have had landlords let themselves in whenever they wanted and be excessive with "issues" like I have 1 plate and 1 pan in sink soaking as was in a rush to go out and being told property is a tip (yes that was reason for LL's complaint and they didn't even ask permission to "inspect") and had another who I told I would live in the HMO for at least a year more to get a phone call and email one morning saying property and my bedroom was a tip because the bed was unmade and dressing gown was on top of bed (as I slept in) despite not a single piece of dirt in property, all bins being empty as I am OCD and being so clean all my flatmates friends were basically inviting me to live with them as I was tidying up after other people so place looked like it was unlived.

So some LL's/agents are really taking advantage.

Change the locks if people are entering your home.