Inspection Photographs

Ryan_eddy

Our letting agent called my partner today to let us know they would like to do an inspection in just over a week. I’m perfectly happy with the inspection, however they have said they want to photograph every room as part of a report they will pass onto the landlord. Are they allowed to do this? It feels like a massive invasion of privacy. I don’t want the landlord to have photos of all of our possessions. Basically I’m happy for the agent to do a visual inspection but can I refuse the photographs? I understand that they would photograph any problems found but from what my partner said they want to photograph of every room.

74jax

I would say they can photograph anything not including my possessions.

That is pretty normal (I was an estate agent) and no way would I have photo'd personal possessions anyway, even if they didn't mention it. 

Fishoutofwater

Seems weird to refuse? What are you worried about? 

Ryan_eddy

Fishoutofwater said:

Seems weird to refuse? What are you worried about? 

We have a right to privacy? If we’re happy for them to come inspect when and see nothing is wrong then why should images of our possessions be passed onto the landlord?

Sunsaru

I'm pretty sure the landlord has no interest in your belongings, just their property.

Ryan_eddy

Sunsaru said:

I'm pretty sure the landlord has no interest in your belongings, just their property.

Then why isn’t the agents check enough? What parts of their property are they going to see with out possessions covering most of it? 

74jax

Fishoutofwater said:

Seems weird to refuse? What are you worried about? 

As someone who used to take the photos I would say it's very rare for a tenant to want their personal possessions in a photo.

Why refuse? Because it has zero to do with the landlord. The photos could even then be used in future to remarket the property - yes it has been done before.

Honestly is a reasonable request to make.