Rented Property - Access query

Skye_2017

Hi,

I hope someone here can help me!

I rent a property and had a letter come through the door last night from the management company, stating access would be required all day next Tuesday as they are doing some work.

I am away all next week and do not feel comfortable with their suggestion of A) letting their contractor have a key to let themselves in or letting my landlord wait in the property for them. It is too short notice for me to get a family member or friend to book a day off work (and to be honest I wouldn't expect them to do this for me anyway).

What are my rights here? They are adamant access is required on the specified day and have said they will charge me if there is nobody there to let the contractor in to the property.

Thanks in advance!

Slithery

What does your tenancy agreement say about access?

hazyjo

What is the work for? (ie how urgent, and is it something they're doing to all flats or just yours?)

Victor_the_Gink

What does your contract say?

pmlindyloo

Do you mean that your landlord owns a leasehold property and this is the landlord's management company that requires access?

Or do you mean the letting agent?

Might make a difference.

Skye_2017

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

The letter says they are installing new door intercom/entry phone systems. I'm not sure how urgent this is. The intercom for our flat hasn't worked since we moved in two years ago so I wouldn't say particularly urgent...

As far as I'm aware, my landlord owns the flat outright but the block is managed by the company that sent the letter.

I've spoken to my landlord who has said he fully agrees with me in that it is too short notice and he wouldn't expect me to just hand a key over to a contractor to let themselves in and out.

Looking at the tenancy agreement, the only bit I can see about access says: "the tenant will permit the Landlord, a Superior Landlord if any, or the Landlords Agent or the Superior Landlords agent, with or without workment to visit, inspect, repair and maintain the property during reasonable hours provided they have given reasonable formal notice at least 48 hours written notice in advance of the proposed visit and agreed with the Tenant the date and time they intend to visit."

That is my contract with my landlord though, rather than with the management company who sent the letter.

I just don't understand how they can expect someone to be in each flat within the block with only a weeks notice. And for them to say they will charge £55 if they can't get in on the day seems unreasonable?

(Apologies in advance for any typos - I'm writing this from my phone!)

theartfullodger

Skye:

This isn't Scotland is it? (Law is different..)

Skye_2017

theartfullodger wrote: »

Skye:

This isn't Scotland is it? (Law is different..)

Hi

Nope England!

Cakeguts

Skye_2017 wrote: »

Hi,

Thanks for the replies.

The letter says they are installing new door intercom/entry phone systems. I'm not sure how urgent this is. The intercom for our flat hasn't worked since we moved in two years ago so I wouldn't say particularly urgent...

As far as I'm aware, my landlord owns the flat outright but the block is managed by the company that sent the letter.

I've spoken to my landlord who has said he fully agrees with me in that it is too short notice and he wouldn't expect me to just hand a key over to a contractor to let themselves in and out.

Looking at the tenancy agreement, the only bit I can see about access says: "the tenant will permit the Landlord, a Superior Landlord if any, or the Landlords Agent or the Superior Landlords agent, with or without workment to visit, inspect, repair and maintain the property during reasonable hours provided they have given reasonable formal notice at least 48 hours written notice in advance of the proposed visit and agreed with the Tenant the date and time they intend to visit."

That is my contract with my landlord though, rather than with the management company who sent the letter.

I just don't understand how they can expect someone to be in each flat within the block with only a weeks notice. And for them to say they will charge £55 if they can't get in on the day seems unreasonable?

(Apologies in advance for any typos - I'm writing this from my phone!)

It is the management company for the flat. The management company is the one that looks after the repairs to the building.

The tenancy agreement that you have signed says that you will let the managing company for the building enter the flat as long as they give you 48 hours written notice. So you have had the written notices and when you signed the tenancy agreement for the flat you agreed that they could have this access. So having agreed that they have the right to access your flat after giving you 48 hours notice in writing it is perfectly reasonable for them to have a penalty if you don't stick to your side of this agreement.

Skye_2017

Cakeguts wrote: »

It is the management company for the flat. The management company is the one that looks after the repairs to the building.

The tenancy agreement that you have signed says that you will let the managing company for the building enter the flat as long as they give you 48 hours written notice. So you have had the written notices and when you signed the tenancy agreement for the flat you agreed that they could have this access. So having agreed that they have the right to access your flat after giving you 48 hours notice in writing it is perfectly reasonable for them to have a penalty if you don't stick to your side of this agreement.

The agreement has the wording "and AGREED with the tenant the date and time they intend to visit." - does this give me a leg to stand on considering I've not agreed this with them (because I can't, not because I'm being awkward)?

Cakeguts

Skye_2017 wrote: »

The agreement has the wording "and AGREED with the tenant the date and time they intend to visit." - does this give me a leg to stand on considering I've not agreed this with them (because I can't, not because I'm being awkward)?

The agreed bit doesn't mean what you think it means because it is after the bit that says you will permit the visit. All that is being agreed is the time and date and that is in the letter.