New Tenancy - lots of landlord visits

sunflowerseeds

I started a new tenancy at the start of July. It's for a year and the property is usually empty for a week during crossover periods, from past knowledge.
Since I've been the tenant, so 2 months, I've given them their requested permission to enter 8 times. Reasons for access have been varied: measuring for new carpets, testing fire alarms, check in inspection(?), carpet fitting (this caused all my stuff to be moved and I had to sort everything out again), change of mattress (again disruption to my stuff), safety checks on the water, a landlord inspection and now a water hygiene test.
These have been a real pain in the neck, but we've allowed them with no question.
However, now they wasn't to redecorate the whole apartment while we're living there. I don't want this as my room is fine. My flat mate's room is a little tatty but essentially we're a bit fed up with all the disturbances. I'm also allergic to paint fumes as I get asthma.
Is what the landlord is doing (or the letting agents) reasonable? Can I ask him to wait until the end of the year to do the painting?

Comms69

Do you rent a room or the whole flat?

sunflowerseeds

We each rent our rooms separately but we're liable in anyone leaves. We have to find another tenant. So I'm a bit confused about what type of agreement we have but we weren't allowed to pick up each others keys at the start of the agreement. We each have a lock on our bedroom doors. There are three of us.

Smi1er

sunflowerseeds wrote: »

I'm also allergic to paint fumes as I get asthma.

You're not allergic to paint fumes.

As you suffer from asthma the fumes have an effect on your breathing.

Two very different things.

Personally I'd tell them it was inconvenient to move all your stuff again and ask them to delay until you move out

Comms69

sunflowerseeds wrote: »

We each rent our rooms separately but we're liable in anyone leaves. - That's not possible. You either rent the whole flat, or you each rent rooms. We have to find another tenant. - no you don't. So I'm a bit confused about what type of agreement we have - you aren't the only one but we weren't allowed to pick up each others keys at the start of the agreement. We each have a lock on our bedroom doors. There are three of us.

Look at your contract, if only your name appears on there then you are separate tenants (and no you don't have to find anyone)


If all your names appear on it, then you are renting the whole property and you can just change the locks and tell them to jog on.


It cannot be a mixture of both. And you cannot be compelled in either case to find a replacement.

sunflowerseeds

yeah, but you know what I mean - the fumes exacerbate my asthma. I was allergic to mould spores in my last flat, but that's another story!!:) They didn't just make my asthma worse, but I got blocked nose and itchy eyes...but I digress - but you're right, it is very inconvenient to have to move all my stuff again. And it might get damaged as we can't be there to keep an eye on it while it's done. They did suggest we move out while it's done!!!

pmlindyloo

sunflowerseeds wrote: »

yeah, but you know what I mean - the fumes exacerbate my asthma. I was allergic to mould spores in my last flat, but that's another story!!:) They didn't just make my asthma worse, but I got blocked nose and itchy eyes...but I digress - but you're right, it is very inconvenient to have to move all my stuff again. And it might get damaged as we can't be there to keep an eye on it while it's done. They did suggest we move out while it's done!!!

Are they going to pay for you to stay somewhere while they are decorating or reducing the rent?

If so, then I would take this option if it isn't too inconvenient.

Personally I think a landlord taking such an interest in the property is to be applauded.

Please look at your tenancy agreement and see if there is a break clause. The landlord might be wanting to sell up!

sal_III

Here is a radical thought - refuse them access, when it's inconvenient for you, instead of rolling over and then complaining.

Comms69

sal_III wrote: »

Here is a radical thought - refuse them access, when it's inconvenient for you, instead of rolling over and then complaining.

It depends on the type of tenancy the OP has.

sunflowerseeds

I hadn't really thought of complaining about the amount of times so far, as each item seems reasonable in itself. But I just wondered it it was the norm, that's all? And it's cumulative. Once or twice and you don't even register, but 8 times in two months and it's beginning to be a pain. And as for the decorating, it would have been much easier to have co-ordinated the decorating for the week it was unoccupied

Comms69

sunflowerseeds wrote: »

I hadn't really thought of complaining about the amount of times so far, as each item seems reasonable in itself. But I just wondered it it was the norm, that's all? And it's cumulative. Once or twice and you don't even register, but 8 times in two months and it's beginning to be a pain. And as for the decorating, it would have been much easier to have co-ordinated the decorating for the week it was unoccupied

Again it depends on the type of tenancy, if you just rent a room, then the LL can come into the shared area 24 hours a day 7 days a week.


Anyway unless you can provide the info requested - you really wont get any useful answers