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Rented Property - Access query

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  • Skye_2017
    Skye_2017 Posts: 12 Forumite
    Cakeguts wrote: »
    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.

    Thanks for your reply.
    I feel like I'm being pedantic but I also don't want to pay £55 for the sake of it... the definition of agreed is "discussed or negotiated and then accepted by all parties." There's been no discussion or negotiation and I've definitely not accepted the date.

    They've said they're going to speak to their manager and come back to me so I'll see how it goes. If I have to pay then it's not the end of the world, it's just annoying timing I guess.

    Thanks again
  • Miss_Samantha
    Miss_Samantha Posts: 1,197 Forumite
    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.

    It means you will permit access if:

    1. they have given 48h notice, AND
    2. they have agreed a date and time with you.

    This is therefore very badly drafted (for them) because you do have to agree to the time and date.

    So you are perfectly entitled to refuse the proposed time and date as long as you are being reasonable, i.e. by proposing another time and date that suits you, during office hours. They cannot charge you for that.
  • Skye_2017
    Skye_2017 Posts: 12 Forumite
    It means you will permit access if:

    1. they have given 48h notice, AND
    2. they have agreed a date and time with you.

    This is therefore very badly drafted (for them) because you do have to agree to the time and date.

    So you are perfectly entitled to refuse the proposed time and date as long as you are being reasonable, i.e. by proposing another time and date that suits you, during office hours. They cannot charge you for that.

    Thanks. This was my understanding of it, too.

    I'll wait and see what they come back with tomorrow.
  • Norman_Castle
    Norman_Castle Posts: 11,871 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    As above. They cannot insist you fit their agenda. This is non essential work which needs access within a reasonable period. Not simply when it suits the contractor doing the work.
  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    On the other hand if you want to have the work done you may have to have it done at the same time as everyone else or not at all.
  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,439 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Skye_2017 wrote: »
    A) letting their contractor have a key to let themselves in

    and have said they will charge me if there is nobody there to let the contractor in to the property.

    Confusing why would they need someone there if they are having a key?
  • Skye_2017
    Skye_2017 Posts: 12 Forumite
    Cakeguts wrote: »
    On the other hand if you want to have the work done you may have to have it done at the same time as everyone else or not at all.

    What would you choose to do in my position? Am I missing a really obvious answer that doesn't involve letting a stranger enter my home whilst I'm not present? I wouldn't normally have an issue with working from home for the day to let them in but this has just come at a really awkward time.
    cjdavies wrote: »
    Confusing why would they need someone there if they are having a key?

    Sorry - I have a key, my landlord has a key. The management company don't have a key but suggested I dropped one off with them for them to pass on to the contractor. This isn't something I would be comfortable doing.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 25 April 2017 at 9:11PM
    On the one hand, the request is reasonable, as well as to your benefit: you'll finally get a working door system!

    I imagine they are fitting this to the main door, and all flats in the building, so from a practical perspective it really all has to be done on the same day.

    If each flat occupant insisted on separate days, the job would be a nightmare!

    However your tenancy agreement does require them to 'agree' the date (and time) with you, so you could be awkward.

    What is uncertain is what agreement is in the lease between the freeholder (or management comany) and the leaseholder (your landlord) though it is likely (certainly sensible) that your tenancy agrement would reflect the wording in the lease.

    edit: is there another flat occupant you know/ are friendly with/ trust? Might they be able to keep an eye on the contractors for you if you really can't be there or find a friend/relative to be there?
  • Skye_2017
    Skye_2017 Posts: 12 Forumite
    G_M wrote: »
    On the one hand, the request is reasonable, as well as to your benefit: you'll finally get a working door system!

    I imagine they are fitting this to the main door, and all flats in the building, so from a practical perspective it really all has to be done on the same day.

    If each flat occupant insisted on separate days, the job would be a nightmare!

    However your tenancy agreement does require them to 'agree' the date (and time) with you, so you could be awkward.

    What is uncertain is what agreement is in the lease between the freeholder (or management comany) and the leaseholder (your landlord) though it is likely (certainly sensible) that your tenancy agrement would reflect the wording in the lease.

    I fully agree with everything you've said.

    However, there are twelve flats in the building - I just think it would have been a much more sensible approach to provide a little more notice if they expect every single one of us to align and have someone in the property on the day. I understand it might not be a requirement, but I would have thought it would have been a more logical approach rather than giving us all a weeks notice.
  • Skye_2017
    Skye_2017 Posts: 12 Forumite
    G_M wrote: »
    edit: is there another flat occupant you know/ are friendly with/ trust? Might they be able to keep an eye on the contractors for you if you really can't be there or find a friend/relative to be there?

    Sadly not! It's actually a really weird set up - I've only bumped into two of my neighbours in the entire time I've been here. And even then it was only a quick hello in the hall.
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