Letting agent inspection..

sandyamos

Hi all, i wondered if anyone can shed any light on this for me,(sorry ..... it's long and waffly...) I've googled, but it all seems quite contradictory! Basically, I'm a renter, the company i rented the property from were bought out by another agency last August (2 months after i had renewed my lease with original agents - therefore my lease doesn't contain the specific wordings/rules with the new agents etc) they contacted me last sept for their first inspection, that was all fine, I have issues with people letting themselves into my home while i'm not there, so prefer agents/workman etc attend when i'm there. not unreasonable. I am due my next inspection, they called me ONCE last week in the middle of the day while i was at work, so couldn't take the call, before i had a chance to call back, i had an email from them saying they need to come and carry out their inspection, and as they haven't heard back from me they will be round monday 11th and will let themselves in with their key. i emailed back to say i'm uncomfortable with this and would prefer they did their inspection while i was there, they called back to say last time they were able to be accommodating to my request, but now 6 months later the business has expanded so rapidly they are unable to come at a time that is convenient with me, and will be coming by to inspect whether i'm there or not, and basically it's tough sh*t! I'm absolutely fuming about this - can they do that? I have been given a time of 3pm, so i either have to take a whole afternoon off of work- either unpaid, or use up my holiday entitlement for this or hope that my mum is available that afternoon to be there, so this is at a huge inconvenience to me! ALSO my teenage daughter walks home from school (and is alone until i get home from work an hour later) which will coincide with the inspection, so my daughter will arrive home to a stranger being in my property! Where do i stand? i saw laws regarding right to private enjoyment, but also i have to let them in etc? but can i refuse them entry if i cant be there?

SpiderLegs

Why don’t you change the locks?

theartfullodger

Write (yes write) to landlord (yes landlord..) about you unhappiness.



You have option to change locks (keep old one & change back when you leave)


See this very long discussion on landlord/agent inspections. In your shoes I'd simply refuse except on your terms and timing.
https://forums.landlordzone.co.uk/forum/residential-letting-questions/27235-l-s-right-of-access-for-inspection-or-viewing

tacpot12

You can refuse entry if you can't be there. The easiest way to enforce this and be sure is to change the lock. Just be sure to get a British Standard lock that is Kitemarked. Tell them you have done this and when you will next be at home. They are obligated to the landlord to carry out a regular inspection, but the landlord isn't going to mind if this has to wait a month or two, so make them come when you are going to be at home. You will have to let them inspect the property at some point.

sandyamos

Thanks all, really appreciate the help. Coincidentally, i found out after moving in that my LL is a friend of a friend so we know each other anyway! He has been round before to change a broken bath mixer tap with a plumber friend( because the agent wanted to charge a ridiculous sum to do it), and commented that it looked really nice and well kept. He did say if i had any problems to message him direct and cut out the agent as they're useless so feel like maybe contacting him, but seems really petty to go to him and moan about it? I don't want to bother him unnecessarily but It feels like such an invasion of my privacy having someone let themselves in, even though i'm happy for them to do the inspection - just when i'm there!

Comms69

sandyamos wrote: »

Hi all, i wondered if anyone can shed any light on this for me,(sorry ..... it's long and waffly...) I've googled, but it all seems quite contradictory! Basically, I'm a renter, the company i rented the property from were bought out by another agency last August - Did you rent from a landlord via an agency, or is the agency the landlord? (2 months after i had renewed my lease with original agents - therefore my lease doesn't contain the specific wordings/rules with the new agents etc) - not your problem they contacted me last sept for their first inspection, that was all fine, I have issues with people letting themselves into my home while i'm not there, so prefer agents/workman etc attend when i'm there. - yep, fine. change the locks not unreasonable. I am due my next inspection, they called me ONCE last week in the middle of the day while i was at work, so couldn't take the call, before i had a chance to call back, i had an email from them saying they need to come and carry out their inspection, and as they haven't heard back from me they will be round monday 11th and will let themselves in with their key. i emailed back to say i'm uncomfortable with this and would prefer they did their inspection while i was there, they called back to say last time they were able to be accommodating to my request, but now 6 months later the business has expanded so rapidly they are unable to come at a time that is convenient with me - that's unfortunate, for them , and will be coming by to inspect whether i'm there or not, and basically it's tough sh*t! I'm absolutely fuming about this - can they do that? - not if you change the locks I have been given a time of 3pm, so i either have to take a whole afternoon off of work- either unpaid, or use up my holiday entitlement for this or hope that my mum is available that afternoon to be there, so this is at a huge inconvenience to me! ALSO my teenage daughter walks home from school (and is alone until i get home from work an hour later) which will coincide with the inspection, so my daughter will arrive home to a stranger being in my property! Where do i stand? i saw laws regarding right to private enjoyment, but also i have to let them in etc? but can i refuse them entry if i cant be there?

Quiet enjoyment*


No you don't have to let ANYONE into your home, unless they have a warrant of entry


change the locks; job done

Comms69

sandyamos wrote: »

Thanks all, really appreciate the help. Coincidentally, i found out after moving in that my LL is a friend of a friend so we know each other anyway! He has been round before to change a broken bath mixer tap with a plumber friend( because the agent wanted to charge a ridiculous sum to do it), and commented that it looked really nice and well kept. - that's nice, but an inspection isn't about how you live, it's a chance for you to tell them what needs doing. You could have the place as a tip if you wanted


He did say if i had any problems to message him direct and cut out the agent as they're useless so feel like maybe contacting him, but seems really petty to go to him and moan about it? I don't want to bother him unnecessarily but It feels like such an invasion of my privacy having someone let themselves in, even though i'm happy for them to do the inspection - just when i'm there!

Advice hasn't changed - change the locks

sandyamos

Comms69 wrote: »

Quiet enjoyment*


No you don't have to let ANYONE into your home, unless they have a warrant of entry


change the locks; job done

Ahhhh! thanks for the above. I really feel like they are being tw*ts and throwing their weight around, i'm going to get the locks changed asap, F them!

Comms69

sandyamos wrote: »

Ahhhh! thanks for the above. I really feel like they are being tw*ts and throwing their weight around, i'm going to get the locks changed asap, F them!

Change them yourself, it's a 5 minute job and costs are minimal

sandyamos

Comms69 wrote: »

Change them yourself, it's a 5 minute job and costs are minimal

Cheers, i'll give it a go!

G_M

How to do it:
Latch lock:

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

Deadlock
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1WP3o4jAFc

LL is a friend of a friend so we know each other anyway! He has been round before to change a broken bath mixer tap with a plumber friend( because the agent wanted to charge a ridiculous sum to do it), and commented that it looked really nice and well kept. He did say if i had any problems to message him direct and cut out the agent

So ivite LL to tea. Bake a cake. Discuss your concerns.


The agent works for the LL so if the LL instructs them to do xyz or not to do abc, that's what they must do!