Landlord / agents want to take photographs

P-J-D_2

Living a tiny bedsit style lodge.. big name landlord estate and letting agent.. 

Got notice on an annual inspection for next week (was due in Feb..)

You can't say no can you... (it's necessary "for compliance" according to their "system") They really did pick the stupidest time to take a snapshot, I'm really stressed. The place is a tip and unkempt as I'm just recovering from months of lethargy with long covid and was just getting things back in order.. in the midst of prepping to decorate in advance of Feb 

They say it's "nothing personal" but they'll be taking photographs. No consent was asked. On the contrary I find it extremely invasive. I don't like my personal stuff or the way I'm living being photographed and documented on their systems, especially when I'm having a hard time of it!

Do I have to let them take photographs?

PS they say there are no current plans to sell the property but the last time I experienced photographs being taken as a tenant, the estate was assessing their stock and I was evicted shortly after

MultiFuelBurner

You have notice so that you can put any personal things away or things you don't want photographed away.

That said if these photographs are not to sell the property then unless your contract specifically states an inspection includes photos (and even then it might not be valid as it's only in favour of the LL) then refuse the photos being taken but allow the inspection.

Obviously be there in person and advise them of your long COVID issues and that you were preparing for the agreed inspection in Feb if they insist on going ahead.

_Penny_Dreadful

P-J-D_2 said:

Living a tiny bedsit style lodge.. big name landlord estate and letting agent.. 

Got notice on an annual inspection for next week (was due in Feb..)

You can't say no can you... (it's necessary "for compliance" according to their "system") They really did pick the stupidest time to take a snapshot, I'm really stressed. The place is a tip and unkempt as I'm just recovering from months of lethargy with long covid and was just getting things back in order.. in the midst of prepping to decorate in advance of Feb 

They say it's "nothing personal" but they'll be taking photographs. No consent was asked. On the contrary I find it extremely invasive. I don't like my personal stuff or the way I'm living being photographed and documented on their systems, especially when I'm having a hard time of it!

Do I have to let them take photographs?

PS they say there are no current plans to sell the property but the last time I experienced photographs being taken as a tenant, the estate was assessing their stock and I was evicted shortly after

You can say no.  It can be a bit risky though as it's not difficult to issue a Section 21 and with the rental market as it is now you could easily be replaced in a heartbeat.  If I were your landlord and you asked to postpone because you are unwell then I probably would.

Why are you in the midst of preparing to decorate in February?

njkmr

They need to check the property is in good order.
Probably not too bothered how tidy it is so long as there is no damage.
Photographs will be to document the present condition and advise of anything that has become unnaceptable.
You are expected to keep the place in good condition during the tenancy.

P-J-D_2

_Penny_Dreadful said:

P-J-D_2 said:

Living a tiny bedsit style lodge.. big name landlord estate and letting agent.. 

Got notice on an annual inspection for next week (was due in Feb..)

You can't say no can you... (it's necessary "for compliance" according to their "system") They really did pick the stupidest time to take a snapshot, I'm really stressed. The place is a tip and unkempt as I'm just recovering from months of lethargy with long covid and was just getting things back in order.. in the midst of prepping to decorate in advance of Feb 

They say it's "nothing personal" but they'll be taking photographs. No consent was asked. On the contrary I find it extremely invasive. I don't like my personal stuff or the way I'm living being photographed and documented on their systems, especially when I'm having a hard time of it!

Do I have to let them take photographs?

PS they say there are no current plans to sell the property but the last time I experienced photographs being taken as a tenant, the estate was assessing their stock and I was evicted shortly after

You can say no.  It can be a bit risky though as it's not difficult to issue a Section 21 and with the rental market as it is now you could easily be replaced in a heartbeat.  If I were your landlord and you asked to postpone because you are unwell then I probably would.

So you would selectively evict tenants because they are unwell? That's nice. Actually that would be a false economy in this case as the LL would need to invest thousands to re-let as the 40 year old kitchen is rank.

Also they would have to fix the problems they've left unattended for years to charge a premium. There are problems within the property but all are due to their inattention. I'm just a bit untidy.

_Penny_Dreadful said:

Why are you in the midst of preparing to decorate in February?

FOR February, when the inspection was due. If they had stuck to that they would see the property "in all its glory." After 10+ years tenant I expect ANNUAL inspections to be performed ANNUALLY. Wouldn't that be fair?

In fact I had no "inspections" until a couple of years ago when the agents changed.

doodling

Hi,

njkmr said:

They need to check the property is in good order.
Probably not too bothered how tidy it is so long as there is no damage.
Photographs will be to document the present condition and advise of anything that has become unnaceptable.
You are expected to keep the place in good condition during the tenancy.

But, for the avoidance of doubt, that means that you should return the property in the same state at the end of your tenancy as it was when you moved in.

Whilst you are living there then you are liberty to keep the place as messy as you like with posters featuring naked 70 year olds on the wall (providing the fixings for the posters don't damage the wall).

You do need to remember that if you become too much "hassle" then the agent might recommend to the landlord that they seek a replacement tenant - only you can judge when that point might be reached, but just being messy shouldn't qualify.

_Penny_Dreadful

P-J-D_2 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

P-J-D_2 said:

Living a tiny bedsit style lodge.. big name landlord estate and letting agent.. 

Got notice on an annual inspection for next week (was due in Feb..)

You can't say no can you... (it's necessary "for compliance" according to their "system") They really did pick the stupidest time to take a snapshot, I'm really stressed. The place is a tip and unkempt as I'm just recovering from months of lethargy with long covid and was just getting things back in order.. in the midst of prepping to decorate in advance of Feb 

They say it's "nothing personal" but they'll be taking photographs. No consent was asked. On the contrary I find it extremely invasive. I don't like my personal stuff or the way I'm living being photographed and documented on their systems, especially when I'm having a hard time of it!

Do I have to let them take photographs?

PS they say there are no current plans to sell the property but the last time I experienced photographs being taken as a tenant, the estate was assessing their stock and I was evicted shortly after

You can say no.  It can be a bit risky though as it's not difficult to issue a Section 21 and with the rental market as it is now you could easily be replaced in a heartbeat.  If I were your landlord and you asked to postpone because you are unwell then I probably would.

So you would selectively evict tenants because they are unwell? That's nice. Actually that would be a false economy in this case as the LL would need to invest thousands to re-let as the 40 year old kitchen is rank.

Also they would have to fix the problems they've left unattended for years to charge a premium. There are problems within the property but all are due to their inattention. I'm just a bit untidy.

_Penny_Dreadful said:

Why are you in the midst of preparing to decorate in February?

FOR February, when the inspection was due. If they had stuck to that they would see the property "in all its glory." After 10+ years tenant I expect ANNUAL inspections to be performed ANNUALLY. Wouldn't that be fair?

In fact I had no "inspections" until a couple of years ago when the agents changed.

Where did I say that I would selectively evicts tenants for being unwell? That’s right, I didn’t. 

I can’t read your tenancy agreement from here so I don’t know what it says with regards to the frequency inspections to comment on whether or not requesting an inspection now is reasonable. 

It’s still unclear why you are planning to decorate the rental property at all. That’s not your responsibility as the tenant unless you’re trying to make good damages you’ve caused to the existing decoration.

I’m not sure if you actually want advice or if you just want to moan. I also suspect that your home is a more than just a little messy if you’re this concerned about an inspection. Inspections are for the landlord to see if there are any maintenance or repair issues. It’s also an opportunity for tenants to point out things that need fixing. I know some landlords and letting agents think it’s an opportunity to comment on how a tenant chooses to live but unless you’re house is so filthy and cluttered that it’s causing damage most sensible landlords wouldn’t care about a little mess. 

BlueVeranda

_Penny_Dreadful said:

P-J-D_2 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

P-J-D_2 said:

Living a tiny bedsit style lodge.. big name landlord estate and letting agent.. 

Got notice on an annual inspection for next week (was due in Feb..)

You can't say no can you... (it's necessary "for compliance" according to their "system") They really did pick the stupidest time to take a snapshot, I'm really stressed. The place is a tip and unkempt as I'm just recovering from months of lethargy with long covid and was just getting things back in order.. in the midst of prepping to decorate in advance of Feb 

They say it's "nothing personal" but they'll be taking photographs. No consent was asked. On the contrary I find it extremely invasive. I don't like my personal stuff or the way I'm living being photographed and documented on their systems, especially when I'm having a hard time of it!

Do I have to let them take photographs?

PS they say there are no current plans to sell the property but the last time I experienced photographs being taken as a tenant, the estate was assessing their stock and I was evicted shortly after

You can say no.  It can be a bit risky though as it's not difficult to issue a Section 21 and with the rental market as it is now you could easily be replaced in a heartbeat.  If I were your landlord and you asked to postpone because you are unwell then I probably would.

So you would selectively evict tenants because they are unwell? That's nice. Actually that would be a false economy in this case as the LL would need to invest thousands to re-let as the 40 year old kitchen is rank.

Also they would have to fix the problems they've left unattended for years to charge a premium. There are problems within the property but all are due to their inattention. I'm just a bit untidy.

_Penny_Dreadful said:

Why are you in the midst of preparing to decorate in February?

FOR February, when the inspection was due. If they had stuck to that they would see the property "in all its glory." After 10+ years tenant I expect ANNUAL inspections to be performed ANNUALLY. Wouldn't that be fair?

In fact I had no "inspections" until a couple of years ago when the agents changed.

Where did I say that I would selectively evicts tenants for being unwell? That’s right, I didn’t. 

Think they've read your "I probably would" as would evict, not would postpone.

theartfullodger

njkmr said:

They need to check the property is in good order.
....

Yes..  but the legal right - (LL&T 1985 S11(8)) 
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/section/11
- is to check it is OK FOR THE TENANT - not so the landlord is happy.  

So as long as (eventually) the place is handed back OK, as when they moved in less wear 'n tear, it's entirely OK for tenant to keep coal in the bath or have dirty washing strewn over bedrooms & unwashed dishes piled in the sink.

A surprising proportion of landlords don;t understand this.

You are also (unless there is a clause in tenancy saying otherwise) absolutely entitled to decline their kind offer to inspect.

That their systems say it;s required "for compliance" is all very interesting but unless agreed in the tenancy agreement you may decline the inspection. 

If you do agree to an inspection suggest you supply their minions with a list of repairs you'd like to have done: Just to save them time & effort.  (Keep copies)

Artful: Landlord since 2000

P-J-D_2

BlueVeranda said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

P-J-D_2 said:

_Penny_Dreadful said:

P-J-D_2 said:

Living a tiny bedsit style lodge.. big name landlord estate and letting agent.. 

Got notice on an annual inspection for next week (was due in Feb..)

You can't say no can you... (it's necessary "for compliance" according to their "system") They really did pick the stupidest time to take a snapshot, I'm really stressed. The place is a tip and unkempt as I'm just recovering from months of lethargy with long covid and was just getting things back in order.. in the midst of prepping to decorate in advance of Feb 

They say it's "nothing personal" but they'll be taking photographs. No consent was asked. On the contrary I find it extremely invasive. I don't like my personal stuff or the way I'm living being photographed and documented on their systems, especially when I'm having a hard time of it!

Do I have to let them take photographs?

PS they say there are no current plans to sell the property but the last time I experienced photographs being taken as a tenant, the estate was assessing their stock and I was evicted shortly after

You can say no.  It can be a bit risky though as it's not difficult to issue a Section 21 and with the rental market as it is now you could easily be replaced in a heartbeat.  If I were your landlord and you asked to postpone because you are unwell then I probably would.

So you would selectively evict tenants because they are unwell? That's nice. Actually that would be a false economy in this case as the LL would need to invest thousands to re-let as the 40 year old kitchen is rank.

Also they would have to fix the problems they've left unattended for years to charge a premium. There are problems within the property but all are due to their inattention. I'm just a bit untidy.

_Penny_Dreadful said:

Why are you in the midst of preparing to decorate in February?

FOR February, when the inspection was due. If they had stuck to that they would see the property "in all its glory." After 10+ years tenant I expect ANNUAL inspections to be performed ANNUALLY. Wouldn't that be fair?

In fact I had no "inspections" until a couple of years ago when the agents changed.

Where did I say that I would selectively evicts tenants for being unwell? That’s right, I didn’t. 

Think they've read your "I probably would" as would evict, not would postpone.

Correct. Sorry if I misunderstood.

It’s still unclear why you are planning to decorate the rental property at all. That’s not your responsibility as the tenant unless you’re trying to make good damages you’ve caused to the existing decoration.

Property decoration is, as per 99% of ASTs, the tenants "responsibility". Indeed I decorated the main room saving the landlords a fortune when I moved in over a decade ago, but that counts for nothing now.

I've not damaged anything (the landlords agents have!) but after many years a rural property will naturally look run down and sadly I will get judged on that. Hence my intention to decorate before the inspection.

They've ruined my plans and they are ruining my life it's causing me serious mental health issues.

YBR

You could suggest that you'll only allow them to take photos of things that they need to get fixed/maintained, so that they can plan the work.

Look back through any paperwork and you may find that they have no GDPR permission/statement about holding photos of your home/possessions. Just a thought - mentioning this might cause confusion if the agent hasn't thought of that!