Tenancy inspection query

MoneySavingUser

I usually have an inspection by the EA every 6 months.

The LL has recently changed the EA that he uses. The old EA did an inspection in mid-Jan and the new EA wants to come in mid-Feb to do their own inspection.

They have described this as a "mid-term" inspection.

1) Is two inspections in two months too much - can I refuse and ask them to come at the next six monthly interval?

2) They have just said which day they will come on and stated "they cannot provide an appointment time". The old EA would give a timeframe (i.e. between 10 and 1) and if you called them would happily tell you a specific time. I know they say they can let themselves in, but if I wanted to be here it seems unreasonable to expect me to wait around all day for them?

I am on a periodic tenancy as the AST has expired. The contract (which was done by the old EA) says they can enter the property for inspection with 24 hours notice - it doesn't say anything about how often.

Marvel1

You won't need to clean the house top to bottom leaving it spotless.

They are just checking for no serious damage e.g. ongping leaks not reported.

Finchy2018

The new agent will not have access to the previous agents inspection reports. They want to know if any repairs are required.

Ask them if they can narrow down the time frame.

You don't need to be present, you might want to, but you don't need to be.

Annabee

Can you not contact them and explain that you only had an inspection in January, you would appreciate it if they could hold off for a month or two. I can sort of understand that they want to do their own inspection, but if you explain your situation they might be prepared to be a bit flexible? Also you can ask them how often they intend to inspect after that, more frequently than six monthly is excessive, IMO.

You are perfectly entitled to be present at the inspection, many people are not happy with letting agents just letting themselves in. So if this is how you feel, you need to tell them and insist that they are a bit more specific with the time. 'We cannot' is just rubbish - at least they could say am or pm!

martindow

Are there any things that need repairing? Inspections can be a two way process and are an opportunity for you to bring these up verbally and then in a letter following up.

Norman_Castle

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

2) They have just said which day they will come on and stated "they cannot provide an appointment time". The old EA would give a timeframe (i.e. between 10 and 1) and if you called them would happily tell you a specific time. I know they say they can let themselves in, but if I wanted to be here it seems unreasonable to expect me to wait around all day for them?

It is unreasonable to expect you to be there all day for their convenience. I wouldn't allow anyone to let themselves in. Can you change the lock?
Give them a date and time you will be there that suits you, before 12, after 3? Regular inspections are intrusive enough without expecting tenants to accommodate whatever the agent wants.
They're getting paid to do their job, you're not getting paid to wait for them.

G_M

Dear Mr Letting Agent,

Thank you for letting me know of your planned inspection.

You may not be aware, but the property was inspected by your predesessors, xyz agency, on Xth January, less than a month ago.

I am sure your client, my landlord, will have a copy of this inspection report which he could forward you for your records. This would make a further inspection unecessary at this time. I will, of course, be happy to facilitate access for a follow-up inspection in/around July 2018.

Please confirm for my informaation that the current planned inspection has been cancelled.

Yours sincerely

MSU

Send two copes of this letter, one addressed to the agent, the other addressd to the landlord at the addres for serving notices (even if the address is the same).

If you don't get a response, or the agent responds negatively, then I would

* change the lock (keep the old one to replace when you leave) and optionally also
* write again

Further to my earlier letter, since you are insistant on a 2nd inspection this year, and in order to assist you, I shall be at home on x Feb between 9.00 AM and 10.00 AM (or whatever) to provide access. Please note that demands on my time mean that access outside this hour will not be possible.

Yours sincerely,

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

theartfullodger

As G_M says: But you may consider it is worth trying to have a good relationship with both landlord & agent, so maybe a little bit of compromise.

G_M

theartfullodger wrote: »

As G_M says: But you may consider it is worth trying to have a good relationship with both landlord & agent, so maybe a little bit of compromise.

Indeed.

You could jump straight to my 2nd letter....

Norman_Castle

theartfullodger wrote: »

As G_M says: But you may consider it is worth trying to have a good relationship with both landlord & agent, so maybe a little bit of compromise.

It takes two to compromise. I expect the op will if the agent will.

MoneySavingUser

Thanks everyone, I have gone with G_M's first email for now.