Landlord asking for access for a property survey

miriam_d

Hi all,

I'm probably over analysing and worrying too much about this bit I thought I'd come on here to see. My landlord just emailed asking for access next week for a property survey. I'm not going to be here as I am out of town that day. I don't mind them coming on their own though I'd rather be here. I'm just a little disconcerted as I had an annual inspection a few months ago and the handyman turned up and said he had some surveyors with him and would I mind. Now I have an email asking for access for surveyors so twice in a few months, is that normal? I don't know what the last one was for or what this one is for, perhaps I don't need to know. Would it be fair to ask and if so what would you say? Is it likely to be for a mortgage evaluation or something or more for selling? I really don't want to move! The landlord has a fair amount of properties from what I can gather and seems like a nice guy.

Grateful for any thoughts please!

Thanks

davidmcn

miriam_d wrote: »

Is it likely to be for a mortgage valuation or something or more for selling?

Could be either. Or both. Not much point worrying about it unless and until you're told something - if a buyer were surveying now it suggests they'd be keeping you as a tenant.

G_M

was the surveyor telling the handyman what needed doing? What did the handyman do?


The good news seems to be your LL is on top of repairs!


This survey could be a valuation for remortgage. Might be a plan to sell but you'd probably have ben given a S21 if that were the case.


Why not ask when you respond to the request? No reason not to!


What's your tenancy? Fixed term? Dates? Or periodic?

anselld

Could be several reasons ...
Repair work
Insurance claim or valuation
Remortgage

It seems unlikely to be a buyer since you would have known if the house had been advertised for sale.

No harm in asking the reason.

trailingspouse

Yes, you're over-analysing. The landlord needs access to the property (he's told you why, but he doesn't need to), he's given you plenty of notice. Would you rather he didn't bother to keep an eye on the place and left it to go to rack and ruin??


Personally, I'd just be pleased to have a landlord who seems like a nice guy and is keeping an eye on the place.



If he decides to sell (and there is absolutely no reason to think that he might), he will give you notice and you will find somewhere else. That's how renting works. You 'not wanting to move' is neither here nor there. And certainly not a good reason for refusing him entry.

buggy_boy

Just reply and say "I am away then and would prefer to about if someone is coming into my home but understand it can be difficult to change in which case that's fine. Just out of interest whats the survey for, sorry just I just like living here and intend to for the foreseeable future was worried you might be selling."

Landlords are human beings and I think that reply would be reasonable, if he is going to sell it gives him the opportunity to tell you although by the sounds of it that's unlikely, in which case if I received that as a landlord I would be happy cause my tenant wants to stay.. Despite what the media say landlords do not kick out tenants for no reason, although there are a few rogue ones it sounds like yours is not one of these so just be honest.

I recently had a tenant who is now pregnant and going to buy a place, all her friends told her not tell me that she would likely be moving out around Feb but as we have a good relationship she told me which is great. Im not going to force her out early but I can plan for any refurbs and if someone asks if I have a property free I can tell them I will around Feb time, its a win win..

kinger101

trailingspouse wrote: »

he's told you why, but he doesn't need to

I agree broadly with your post, but he does need to give a reason. It needs to relate his maintenance obligation, or some other reason that has included within the contract and valid.

Giving notice doesn't automatically give a LL right to enter. It is OP's home.

theartfullodger

Whilst a landlord has a right to entry to check if the place is OK - for the tenant - then OK. But he almost certainly has no right to a property survey (probably re-mortgage..). Read your tenancy seeing if there's anything in it giving right for property survey. And "inspection" is not a property survey.



But if you are happy to say yes do so. Nothing to stop you pointing out all the defects and unrepaired things...

miriam_d

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply, I've calmed down a bit now I was just panicked this morning! I have absolutely no objection to them having access and have replied saying that unfortunately I'll be away but they are welcome to come. Unless the landlord is running in to serious money problems I'd be surprised if he is selling, I just panicked!

Blackpool_Saver

I would ask the question, to put your mind at rest. My LL is lovely, I am so lucky.