House Inspection during Covid 19 lockdown

recalcitrant

I received an email from my letting agency this morning informing me that a property inspection was due, after emailing them back to clarify the situation, I was reassured that it was an automated email and they were not conducting visits at this time but !

My friend argued that they are well within their rights to conduct an inspection whatever the circumstance or show people round, as we have vacancies, whether I get ill due to someone coming into the house from elsewhere is irrelevant, despite the government guidelines stating stay at home, essential trips out for food or medicine only

So my question is, is this correct, are they entitled to come during this lockdown period, is it an essential operation ?

kinger101

They've said they're not visiting for the inspection, which seems sensible.  If you start trying to tell them what some random people on the internet said the law is, then you might find them reluctant to send someone round if the boiler breaks down.  

[Deleted User]

your friend is clearly suffering from delusions from a fever ! Hope its not Corona 

No they wont be sending anyone round. Completely against the Gov rules 

princeofpounds

In theory they do still retain the legal right to inspection. But remember that, if a tenant takes things to the limits and e.g. changes the locks, then a LL/LA has to go to court to enforce their right of access, and a court could take into account issues like government guidance. Given that it is technically a criminal offence to be out on non-essential business currently, a court could take a view on the essentiality of the inspection and would be unlikely to enforce a civil right that created a potential criminal issue. If the court even agrees to run the case under lockdown.

Comms69

Not a reason technically to be out. However it would be the perspective tenant falling foul of this. 

Agent covered by the working exemption

for viewings that is. For inspection it’s fine.