Rented Property Inspection

wildheart83

I've been in my rented home for 2.5 years, and the first couple of inspections went fine so after that I advised the LA that I can't take time off work for a 5 minute inspection and to just use their keys to let themselves in.

Now after the last 2 inspections I've had comments from the LA like the washing machine needs cleaned (it's where the paint has come off over time) and "you have a lot of stuff but it's all on hangers so I suppose it's ok" they would only know this by going into my wardrobes which I find a bit intrusive.

The house is falling apart but because the LA works for the LL I'm worried that they'll expect me to pay for running repairs.

LL won't pay for anything relating to the property, and I'd move but I'm hoping to buy in the next year so I'd rather not have a recent address change affect my mortgage application.

Am I just being too precious about them nitpicking over the little things and ignoring the bigger issues?

Pixie5740

There seem to be a number of landlords and letting agents who think that the sole purpose of an inspection is to comment on how tenants choose to live their lives in their own home whilst completely ignoring any maintenance and repair issues.

You have a lot of stuff but it's all on hangers to I suppose that's ok? What the !!!! has that got to do with the letting agency? It is irritating but as you are pretty close to buying your own place I would just file their comment under "things I don't give a f**k about."

If it makes you feel any better I once had a landlady (she was an absolute boot) take plastic storage boxes I had in my home, which weren't blocking any exits, and store them in her attic because she thought they looked messy. The reason the boxes weren't in the large hallway cupboard was because it was full of her junk. :doh:

HampshireH

wildheart83 wrote: »

I've been in my rented home for 2.5 years, and the first couple of inspections went fine so after that I advised the LA that I can't take time off work for a 5 minute inspection and to just use their keys to let themselves in.

Now after the last 2 inspections I've had comments from the LA like the washing machine needs cleaned (it's where the paint has come off over time) and "you have a lot of stuff but it's all on hangers so I suppose it's ok" they would only know this by going into my wardrobes which I find a bit intrusive.

The house is falling apart but because the LA works for the LL I'm worried that they'll expect me to pay for running repairs.

LL won't pay for anything relating to the property, and I'd move but I'm hoping to buy in the next year so I'd rather not have a recent address change affect my mortgage application.

Am I just being too precious about them nitpicking over the little things and ignoring the bigger issues?

Hopefully the report also has the various in-repaired items on it too? Ready for when you do leave. If not I would suggest writing to them highlighting your concern that in light of their extremely thorough search of your property your surprised they have failed to acknowledge/identify the outstanding repairs and for them to amend their report accordingly.

G_M

Firstly, get your head into a place where you treat inspections as they ought to be treated. tere are 2 purposes

1) to identfy issues/repairs that need action by the landlord

2) to identify actions by the tenant which are criminal (running a brothel?) or are serious breaches of the tenancy agreement

Your washing or quantity of 'stuff' falls into neither of the above catagories!

simply ignore these irrelevant comments.

I would sit down and make a list of issues you have, eg repairs needed, then write a frindly, polite 'thank you' letter (yes - I know!) ignoring their irrelevant comments and listing your relevant ones.

wildheart83

Thanks all. I don't wait for inspections to raise issues - I tend to email them so that I've got the issue and their response in writing usually.

I shall write to them formally with the latest list of issues and see what they say after the latest inspection next week.

I think it just riles me that they can go rifling through my stuff and tell me that the ancient washing machine is dirty (it's not, it's rust!) but can't get the LL to pay for his gutters to be fixed or sort problems with the 27 yr old kitchen cupboards...

G_M

So add a polite paragraph to your letter (letter - to the landlord. Send a copy to the agent) asking for 24 hours notice for future inspections so that you can agree a convenient time to be at home to let them in.

Then change the locks. Keep the old lock to replace when the tenancy ends.

ThePants999

G_M wrote: »

So add a polite paragraph to your letter (letter - to the landlord. Send a copy to the agent) asking for 24 hours notice for future inspections so that you can agree a convenient time to be at home to let them in.

Then change the locks. Keep the old lock to replace when the tenancy ends.

I think you might have missed this bit:

wildheart83 wrote: »

I advised the LA that I can't take time off work for a 5 minute inspection and to just use their keys to let themselves in.

anselld

wildheart83 wrote: »

The house is falling apart but because the LA works for the LL I'm worried that they'll expect me to pay for running repairs.

All LAs work for the LL.

Tell them you don't see the point in further inspections until the existing notified repair issues have been addressed.

G_M

ThePants999 wrote: »

I think you might have missed this bit:

Originally Posted by wildheart83
I advised the LA that I can't take time off work for a 5 minute inspection and to just use their keys to let themselves in.

I saw that, but it seems that since making that decision and advising the agent, the OP has changed their mind about being content to permit the agent to just let themselves in.

Hence the need to write with updated instructions.

parkrunner

Wardrobes are a place for mould both inside and behind, so I'd have no problem with them having a quick look, there comments were daft though.