Rental Inspection a Few Weeks Before End of Tenancy - Reasonable?

Oh_bother

Hi,
We are currently renting and are due to move into our first owned home in about 8 weeks time.

Our landlords are planning to sell as soon as we have left. They are currently arranging various trade quotations and repairs in preparation for the sale (no damages caused by us), which we have agreed to so far - although by next week this will have been at least 5 visits in the past month. 

I work full time from home and my partner also wfh on and off, so the visits have been a bit disruptive but not too bad so far. We are currently packing and organising our move, as well as planning for the end of tenancy clean - allowing time to clean once the house is empty and getting the carpets professionally cleaned.

The landlords want to arrange a ‘formal inspection’ in the next 4-6 weeks. We feel that this is a bit unreasonable as they did a walk through with the estate agent a couple of weeks ago, and the place now is rather chaotic with packing boxes and stuff pulled out of cupboards. In any case, they will be able to do the end of tenancy inspection in 8 weeks, possibly sooner.

Would we be unreasonable to refuse this? Can we refuse this inspection?

Thanks

GDB2222

They have a right to inspect, but if you bar them access they are unlikely to seek a court order.

However, you are looking at this wrongly. They are doing you a favour by inspecting before you leave, as they can point out any repairs you are responsible for whilst you still have a chance to do something about them.

GDB2222

Oh, and you don’t need to clean up the chaos before they come round. You might warn them, though.

canaldumidi

There are advantages to a pre-move out inspection:

1) you can discuss agree any contentious issues and if necessary you have the opportunity to fix any damage, fill holes etc.

2) if the they later rely on the pre-move inspection, as opposed to doing another after the tenancy ends, it has limited legal value

Against this you have to weigh up the disruption you are prepared to accept (contractors,inspection, next will be an estate agent and photographer....). You have to draw the line somewhere, firmly, and soon seems to be best!

Luckily you are not dependant on a reference for a new landlord, so can be as firm as you want. Put your limits in writing (how many visits if any, when, why, how often)

GDB2222

If the LL wants to start advertising, he should have some old photos available? 

Countrysider

Oh_bother said:

Hi,

The landlords want to arrange a ‘formal inspection’ in the next 4-6 weeks. 

I had this too. It seems to be more common nowadays as they like to have as short a gap as possible between tenancies and would rather fix the issues while there's a paying tenant than during a void period. 

Mine actually wasn't that formal at all. They look at the things likely to perish easily (bathroom sealant, etc) and wanted to check all the doors for 'holes in them' - not sure how that could happen! 

Oh_bother said:

We feel that this is a bit unreasonable as they did a walk through with the estate agent a couple of weeks ago, 

That was likely a valuation walk through to determine the current market rent. You'd think they'd coordinate viewings to limit tenant disruption - but that's not how landlords and agents typically work .  

Oh_bother said:

the place now is rather chaotic with packing boxes and stuff pulled out of cupboards. 

I wouldn't worry about that. If they've got any sense they'll be happy to see you're actually planning to move out! 

Oh_bother

@GDB2222  and @canaldumidi Thanks for the comments - I suppose giving them a chance to point things out that need fixed is worthwhile. I suspect it is more what they need to get done before marketing to get the best price that is the main point of the visit. After the EA visit they were given a list of things to sort before photos/marketing.

@Countrysider they are definitely selling up once we go.

We are not trying to be awkward but the constant disruption is a bit of a pain. We already had 10 weeks of building work last year due to a leak. We have also agreed to an end of tenancy date in 8 weeks so they could plan any works, but they now seem to want to do most of them while we are still here. 

I suppose from my point is that it is just another thing I need to try to juggle, that frankly I could do without. But if we have to do it we will just have to go along with it - at a time and date that works for us.

RAS

Doing the inspection is one thing.

If they then want to start working on the property just say no/

a) you work from home
b) alongside that you are packing up etc.

So you really can't cope with the additional disruption of workman at the same time.

Oh_bother

Thanks @RAS I wasn’t sure if we could refuse repairs as they might be classed as essential (although not essential enough to do them for our benefit 😉). 

The other issue I have is that they tell us appointment times/dates rather than ask, and don’t always keep to the time arranged which is really disruptive for work. 

RAS

Make a list of their failed appointments. 

No need to share exact details. Just add a note that they have never checked that the timing of appointments is suitable before telling you.

And on x number of occasions they have told you about appointments and missed the time. 

Just because you wfh, it doesn't mean that you can just take time off work at their bidding.

lookstraightahead

Give them times and dates that are convenient to you. I wouldn't stop it happening (when we moved out of our rental we had the same but I gave them times and dates).

yes they're trying to get things started at your inconvenience. It really depends how much you feel you want to cooperate. Have they generally bern good landlords?