Landlord demanding inspection every 2 weeks,

SpartanLK

Hello,

My flatmates and I have moved into a fully furnished rental property. The landlord has an agency managing the property and they are demanding 2 weekly inspections. Admittedly with the first inspection the house was a bit messy and not hoovered etc, but no damage to furniture. The past couple times we have made the house spotless, but they automatically insist on an inspection in 2 week's time, even using unmade beds as a reason.
We do not want to be evicted, which they have threatened to do if we do not like the frequency of inspections. What are our options?

Mnay thanks

sevenhills

SpartanLK wrote: »

We do not want to be evicted, which they have threatened to do if we do not like the frequency of inspections. What are our options?

Mnay thanks

Have our house/flat spotless and accept the inspections, invite them back.

PasturesNew

What sort of people are you/what sort of tenancy is it?

It is excessive, but maybe you've not told us exactly what the setup is yet and maybe it's an unusual situation. Maybe you live in a Bail Hostel, or something, we don't know.

Install secret/hidden cams.... at least know what they get up to while they're in there.

Merlin139

Does your tenancy agreement say they can inspect every 2 weeks? I would tell them to go and do one! Let them serve notice to evict you for not making the bed! I am sure the judge will like that one!

If they say they are going to evict you stop paying the rent saying its against you Human rights to expect to have 2 weekly inspections!

financegeek

Assuming you're on a standard AST with a minimum fixed term, with nothing about two weekly inspections in there, i would write to the landlord & agent to say that the two weekly inspections are affecting your right to quiet enjoyment of the property and that you insist they stop with immediate effect.

i would then say you agree to quarterly / twice yearly / annual inspections (depending on what suits you) and ask that they contact you a week in advance to book the appointment.

i would then change the locks to ensure they can't get in. the only downside is the landlord will probably go for eviction at the end of the fixed term, but would you want to stay anyway with such a controlling landlord?

good luck

Rosemary7391

I think no is the word you're looking for! That's utterly unreasonable, it isn't any of their business whether you make the beds or grow tulips in the bathtub for all you like, so long as it's handed back in the proper state at the end of the tenancy.



One exception might be if you're only renting your room and access to the shared areas - in which case I believe the LL can come and go in the shared areas only, but even so I think this would be unreasonable.



From shelter:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/landlord_responsibilities

Duty to allow you to enjoy your home

Landlords must let you live in your home without unnecessary interference.
Your landlord should not let themselves into your home without your permission.
Your landlord (or anyone employed by them) should not harass you in your home or make it difficult for you to stay there.

pmlindyloo

You do not say how old you and your house sharers are and whether it is a HMO or not.

I suspect the letting agent/landlord have had a nasty experience with other tenants - for example, growing weed/using the place as a brothel/ crack house blah blah so are going a bit 'over the top'.

It is very annoying but there is little you can do unless you change the locks/refuse access (hence the question about being an HMO in which case they have lawful access to communal areas)

It doesn't have to be a show house and you can safely ignore remarks like 'unmade beds'. It is all about the LA/LL having preconceived ideas about how people should live and how young people (hence the age question) are more likely to be growing cannabis etc etc.

Of course there is also the possibility that some neighbour has reported you for noise/anti social behaviour blah blah blah and the LA is doing regular check ups to see what is going on.

G_M

Yes we need to know the location, type of tenancy/tenancies (HMO?) etc.

But assuming it is England and a standard joint and several tenancy, it is an absurd demand which you should politely refuse, in writing, changing the locks to ensure they comply.

SpartanLK

Thank you for your replies

We are 5 professionals in our 20s in the area for work. It is a 12 month contract.

They never threatened us with eviction but said if we don’t like the current level of inspection we can leave.

jon8871

I think it could maybe be a breach of your Human rights, have a look at the Human rights act article 8. Article 8 states " You also have the right to enjoy your home peacefully without intrusion by a public authority."

silvercar

SpartanLK wrote: »

Thank you for your replies

We are 5 professionals in our 20s in the area for work. It is a 12 month contract.

They never threatened us with eviction but said if we don’t like the current level of inspection we can leave.

In my son's first shared house the landlord inspected monthly and gave marks out of 10 for the state of each room!