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Do I have to let my landlord in at the same time as workmen?
Cheshire_cats_
Posts: 9 Forumite
I'm due to have some work done on my rental property in the next couple of weeks which, of course, I will allow the workmen in for. However, do I also have to allow my landlord access?
Every time any work gets done, whether it's a big or small job, my landlord will turn up at some point to "say hello to the workman" or basically to micromanage it.
The last time it happened, the workman was here, the landlord, his wife and then the person who rents the building below came up too as water had gone into his property. The landlord and his wife stayed the entire time (2 hours +), talking on the phone to their friends and constantly interrupting me while I was working to ask if someone else could come in to do work that weekend. When I said it wasn't convinient they said they would come and let him in and stay in my property the whole time which, again, I refused. I had to get quite stern with them as they didn't want to take no for an answer.
I've already sent them an email about 18 months ago citing the law around quiet enjoyment as the landlord would turn up all the time without ever asking me first. It's got better since then but he still comes to my home without permission every time there's work being done. Can I refuse him entry?
Every time any work gets done, whether it's a big or small job, my landlord will turn up at some point to "say hello to the workman" or basically to micromanage it.
The last time it happened, the workman was here, the landlord, his wife and then the person who rents the building below came up too as water had gone into his property. The landlord and his wife stayed the entire time (2 hours +), talking on the phone to their friends and constantly interrupting me while I was working to ask if someone else could come in to do work that weekend. When I said it wasn't convinient they said they would come and let him in and stay in my property the whole time which, again, I refused. I had to get quite stern with them as they didn't want to take no for an answer.
I've already sent them an email about 18 months ago citing the law around quiet enjoyment as the landlord would turn up all the time without ever asking me first. It's got better since then but he still comes to my home without permission every time there's work being done. Can I refuse him entry?
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Comments
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Almost certainly not - but if he purely wants to be there to chew the fat with the workmen, you might be able to be a little crafty around it. “Oh I’m sorry, that timing won’t be convenient for you to do a property inspection - can we reschedule that for X day at X time please”. Slightly missing the point that he’s asking to exercise his right to enter the property to inspect makes the point that yes he can enter, but ONLY for that reason, not just for entertainment. He may of course then decide that he does want to bother. I take it that your tenancy agreement does give him some rights re entry for inspection purposes - how is that worded?🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her2 -
Thank you for your reply.
Off the top of my head, I believe my contract does include something about letting him in for inspections or in the case of emergencies - the standard stuff.0 -
You could just point out that you are working from home and they are disrupting you. And ask them to continue any conversation not directly linked to the repair outside?If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing4
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If the LL is disrupting you beyond that of the tradesperson's work, I'd say that is unacceptable. There is just no need. The occasional question or whatever, yes, but you will know what is unjustifiable - you are not there to chat, you are 'working'.
So, perhaps, "If this will take more than a few seconds, I may need to consider billing you for my lost time from work"?
But, is it really an issue? How often does it happen?0 -
I would think it reasonable that a landlord wishes to inspect the completed work that he/ she is paying for.I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.5
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That’s not what the OP has described as happening though. An inspection after the works are done - fair, so long as arranged at a mutually convenient time.silvercar said:I would think it reasonable that a landlord wishes to inspect the completed work that he/ she is paying for.🎉 MORTGAGE FREE (First time!) 30/09/2016 🎉 And now we go again…New mortgage taken 01/09/23 🏡
Balance as at 01/09/23 = £115,000.00 Balance as at 31/12/23 = £112,000.00
Balance as at 31/08/24 = £105,400.00 Balance as at 31/12/24 = £102,500.00
£100k barrier broken 1/4/25
Balance as at 31/08/25 = £ 95,450.00. Balance as at 31/12/25 = £ 91,100.00
SOA CALCULATOR (for DFW newbies): SOA Calculatorshe/her1 -
Every single time any work has been done on the place. The workmen are always his mates so he wants to come in and say hello.WIAWSNB said:If the LL is disrupting you beyond that of the tradesperson's work, I'd say that is unacceptable. There is just no need. The occasional question or whatever, yes, but you will know what is unjustifiable - you are not there to chat, you are 'working'.
So, perhaps, "If this will take more than a few seconds, I may need to consider billing you for my lost time from work"?
But, is it really an issue? How often does it happen?0 -
That would be a different matter but that's not what's happening. His mates are the ones that do repairs and he treats it like a chance to catch up with them.35har1old said:
What would happen if the landlord was the one carrying out the repair or bringing materials to site or giving instructions to his teamsilvercar said:I would think it reasonable that a landlord wishes to inspect the completed work that he/ she is paying for.0 -
It is understanable that he wants to be there when work carried out whether it is his mates or a.n.other.
What is not acceptable is to include his wife and other tenants inn the process.
If you are working from home you need to make it clear that the repair is the issue and that if they cannot work and chat at the same tme then it is interfering with your time and maybe they could step outside.
If this is happening frequently enough to cause an ssue what state of repair is the property in?0
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