Landlord property inspection

[jeane]

Hello,

 

My virginal post here, it's certainly not a prickly question but one that i hope all you learned people may be able to help me with.

 

My landlord is requesting to carry out an inspection mid tenancy, well, not mid but a few months in. I don't particularly mind as i have not mistreated the property in any way but I was just wondering if this is standard practice? It's my first rental so i'm a little shaky on my rights and obligtions that are beyond the standard expectancies.

 

Thanks for all your help and I will continue to read here with increasing interest and knowledge.

 

jeane

[tonycee]

Hi Jeane.

 

Landlord's Access to the Rental Property

The landlord must give the tenant at least a two-day notice of intent to enter the property at reasonable times. The law states, however, that tenants must not unreasonably refuse to allow the landlord to enter the rental when the landlord has given at least one day's notice of intent to enter at a specified time to show the dwelling to prospective or actual buyers or tenants. Tenants also must not unreasonably refuse the landlord access to repair, improve, or service the dwelling. In case of emergency, the landlord can enter without notice.

 

Landlord and tenant obligations : Directgov - Home and community

[jeane]

Hi tonycee,

 

Thanks for the speedy reply. and in respect to inspections? Is there a standard for how inspections should be completed? How many times within the tenancy this can happen?

 

cheers.

[Shanks]

Hi Jeane,

 

This is something that is normally agreed at the start of the tenancy and is usually part of the contract. I used to do these type of inspections and the time between visits varied considerably. Some long term tenants I only saw every six months or even on an annual basis. Some of our student tenant's properties recieved a full inspection every month! Believe me a house with 6 lively students can be (and was in some cases) almost demolished internally in that time!

 

If it wasn't agreed at the start then get in touch and ask the landlord what his process is. You may find they view more often to start with on a new tenant, then as they get to know you the visits will drop off.

 

Cheers

[Jeanjaquessmoothie]

when I was renting I always took the view that whilst these inspections were a bit of a pain in the ass they weren't the end of the world. I always did them as my landlords were pretty good, and it gave me a chance to get to know them and get them to know me, and therefore trust me.

[jeane]

That's brilliant - thank you all for your replies.

 

There was initally a few things to fix with the property when the tenancy began (and few things remain) so the landlord was here at least once a week for about a month (tenancy was arranged through a private landlord). Since then, i have stopped chasing and he has stopped being attentive.

 

Inspections were initally proposed to be every fortnight but as i live alone and am not a student, I was afraid it may turn into an unnecessary hassle. So far, this has been the first and i hope the last for a few months at least.

 

Thanks again, nice to know where i stand.

[tonycee]

and in respect to inspections? Is there a standard for how inspections should be completed? How many times within the tenancy this can happen? cheers.

 

Twice yearly.

And ALLWAYS in your presence.

 

P.S. I have 9 tenants..So as a landlord, we are not "ALL BAD" , but do have an interest to look after.

I allways tell my tenants that if they play ball with me, there will be no problems.

[LittleMissSunshine]

Hi Jeane

 

With my previous tenancy i had quarterly inspections. Altough a bit of a pain, i always got a letter way in advance when it was going to happen. With the letter i got a paper stating any repares I thought necessary. They would then look at them whilst going round

 

It gives the landlord an idea of the state of the property, and you an option to point out any issues there might be. ALthough my landlord/agency said i didnt need to be present, I always tried to be as its an opportunity to speak to someone!

 

Make sure though to clean properly. I remember the first time i didnt have enough time (working late etc) so i didnt clean the floor properly. I got a follow up later saying all is fine, but please keep the floor clean.

 

So make sure that within 2/3 weeks after the check you get a letter stating if all is ok or not. And if you state out any maintenance issues they are on there. These letters might come in use if you are moving out.

 

LMS

[baileyj]

Hi Jeane,

 

This is something that is normally agreed at the start of the tenancy and is usually part of the contract. I used to do these type of inspections and the time between visits varied considerably. Some long term tenants I only saw every six months or even on an annual basis. Some of our student tenant's properties recieved a full inspection every month! Believe me a house with 6 lively students can be (and was in some cases) almost demolished internally in that time!

 

If it wasn't agreed at the start then get in touch and ask the landlord what his process is. You may find they view more often to start with on a new tenant, then as they get to know you the visits will drop off.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

Hey,

 

Further to you comment above, as you said you carried out inspections. It is also my first time renting as well.

I would just like to enquire as my inspection is due in a few days, although I may not be able to be at the property when the housing inspector comes (they will have their own keys to access the property)... so really I would just like to know what they look for, what they do, where they go etc round the house?

 

Regards

[raydetinu]

You should always be present at inspections, rearrange it so you are. do not let them in on there own, unless you are really sure. Not in there interest to do it unaccompanied, leave themselves to all sorts, claims etc.

It also gives you the opportunity to raise issues that require attention.

They should only be looking at the fabric of the building anyway, the cleanlyness, tidiness etc should be of no concern to them. Damage to fabric or fittings would be.

[jeane]

thanks for your new replies! i've since moved out of that property as the landlord became an absolute nightmare, including leaving me without heating/hot water/working toilet for 2 months over christmas. foot stamping became a regular occurance on my part and lies and threats on their part and so it was time to leave.

 

thanks for the information though, it's always good to know.

[ruairi]

It is in fact illegal for a landlord to enter his or her property without agreement from the tenant. The office of fair trading document oft356 reads as follows:

3.32 We would object to a provision giving the landlord an excessive right to enter the rented property. Under any kind of lease or tenancy, a landlord is required by common law to allow his tenants ‘exclusive possession’ and ‘quiet enjoyment’ of the premises during the tenancy. In other words, tenants must be free from unwarranted intrusion by anyone, including the landlord. Landlords are unfairly disregarding that basic obligation if they reserve a right to enter the property without giving reasonable notice or getting the tenant’s consent, except for good reason.

Irrespective of what may be written in the agreed contract between a landlord and a tenant e.g. a clause that states the landlord is allowed to enter the property without permission; the law will ultimately overrule the clause. Not even a contract will help a landlord in court if he/she steps into their property thinking they can do so because of what is agreed in a contract.

A landlord does have the right to ‘reasonable’ access to carry out repairs for which they are responsible, but they still always need to ask for the tenant’s permission, and give at least 24 hours’ notice.

A Tenant has the right to live without unnecessary interference from the landlord. Most tenants have the right to stop the landlord from coming in unless they want her/him to. If a landlord or someone acting on her/his behalf harasses a tenant or tries to make life difficult, they may be committing a criminal offence.

[Tatjana]

In our case the landlord made an appointment for inspection and no one ever turned up. Now about two weeks later a new inspection was timetabled where photos will be taken, without an apalogie for last time. There are several questions I am asking myself: Do I have any right to complain if appointments are not kept and I am not informed, do I have to let people take photos (and of which areas) and what can they be used for, if the date the landlord fixes does not suit me, can I ask for a different one and were are these rules set out?

Kind regards and thank you for any answers

[raydetinu]

tatj, suggest you start your own thread so your specific points can be deat with as the original is old now.

[Amaru82]

I allways tell my tenants that if they play ball with me, there will be no problems.

 

So basically "Do as i tell you or i'll make your life difficult"?