Letting Agent Inspection

[purpleme12]

What are these actually supposed to be for? Legally what are they checking?

[BillHadersNewWife]

They're checking to see if the property is being maintained properly and that there are no issues.

Their main concerns are that the property is clean and uncluttered and safe.

They check sinks, toilets, access areas and gardens to see if it's all well kept, clean and tidy.

It's also for the tenant to raise and point out any worries....such as damp or leaks.

Though these should be reported as soon as they're noticed via telephone or email.

[purpleme12]

The contents are nothing to do with the landlord

[Horses4]

It’s just to make sure you aren’t wrecking the place, nothing sinister.

[LIZS]

That all statutory requirements are met and property is in good order. Ie. Smoke alarms working, exits clear, doors secure, maintenance issues.

[Sux2buthen]

My son thinks they are to give him the chance to demonstrate what his toys do. Whether they want to see or not

[underneaththeash]

Just to check the house is being looked after.
We have a few properties and issues they agents have picked up are; abject squalor - property hadn’t been cleaned for months, rat and mouse droppings everywhere, 3 dead cockroaches and a poo caked bathroom. We obviously gave notice on that one and it took several weeks to clear up their mess.
Agents have also picked up a dangerous tree and once tennants had tried to re-wire a circuit in the kitchen (badly) - dangerous too.
More minor things just need fixing sometimes or a reminder to cut the grass/tend garden.
You can’t leave routine maintenance or it gets out of hand.

[purpleme12]

I just had an awful person who just looked round no real attempt at building a relationship with me. And said there were too many contents, clutter! I I don't think I've had him before thinking about it. I don't know if he's new or not. I had tidied it was clean. I told him it was nothing to do with the contents

[NorthEndGal]

Was he concerned it was a fire risk, with improper access?

[purpleme12]

He definitely wasn't I challenged him and he never said anything of the sort (nor would he be able to as like I say it was tidy you could get access everywhere.)
It really made me mad and also upset

[wowfudge]

That's out of order. Did he say they would write to you? Some people are full of their own importance. When you feel calmer, you could email or call the agents and ask to speak to the manager. Ask that person what the specific concern was as it's clean and tidy.

[purpleme12]

No he didn't say he would write to us or anything.
It's just made me feel shit and wary of them

[wowfudge]

Take your own photos from the doorway of each room as a record.

[mencken]

you can ignore comments about clutter. You can stack the knickers ceiling-high and wash up once a week, nothing to do with agent or landlord.

inspections are (as mentioned) to check for property problems which not all tenants report, or even notice. I had one that missed a roof leak - can't fix it if I don't know about it, can I? And yes, it is also to check that the people who are living there are the ones on the tenancy, and that there isn't a grow.

[BillHadersNewWife]

Mencken that's not true actually. Clutter can be a serious problem. It can, if bad enough, cause damp and mould, infestations and fire risk.

We have no idea what OPs idea of bad clutter or 'clean' is.

OP in a realistic sense, is the property overfilled with items? Are you able to get to all four walls and make your way easily from room to room?

[purpleme12]

Yes of course you can get to all 4 walls and it's a normal house you can walk to room normally. No it's not overfilled. There is a pretend kitchen and blackboard in the lounge along with some piles of games at the side as I have a child. There are no contents strewn over the floor. There is floor space to play and move around

[purpleme12]

I have taken photos just in case.

[KaptenKrusty]

Weird - we have an inspection I think it’s 3 times a year - the agent comes in and literally has a quick look around and makes sure we’ve not destroyed the place, takes a few photos and that’s it - once I didn’t tidy up and there was piles of laundry everywhere (forgot they were coming) got all flustered and was apologetic - he just laughed and said how you live is your business we aren’t here to judge - so what happened you was not ok - I’d complain

[purpleme12]

Funny really cos if it was that bad I wouldn't let them do an inspection neither would I have anyone round!

[purpleme12]

@KaptenKrusty thank you I just still feel a bit fearful about complaining with letting agents and landlords.

[OldHarrysGameboy]

I had one like that years ago when I was renting @purpleme12. Didn't raise it as a formal concern but every time he came round he said the place was "cluttered" because I had a lot of books (still do). They were all in bookcases alphabetically ordered I might add so not remotely cluttered. It probably just looked like a lot of stuff to the sort of sadsack who owns nothing but a PS4 and a futon. I think you have to be a bit of a twat to be a letting agent tbh and that's probably what it was - him overstepping his remit.

I wouldn't get antagonistic though unless they do raise it as an issue to be resolved because although they're twats and you're paying their wages, albeit indirectly, they can make life awkward for you.

[OldHarrysGameboy]

As for what they're legally supposed to be checking for, I don't think that's defined anywhere which is why people like him get away with their little power trips. As I say, sit on it. If they tell you that you have to do something about it, that's the time to ask for reasons why. Until then it's just a twat making pointless comments.

[scaryteacher]

My letting agent inspected the house to make sure that there weren't any issues that needed fixing, or the starts of problems that could become expensive if not sorted out asap.

I didn't care if it was untidy, as I am, but I wanted to know that the fabric of the building was OK. If something was flagged up, then it could be sorted.

[BillHadersNewWife]

My friend's agent complained that there was a spider web on her window!

We're in Australia and my friend said "It's lived there for ages...it eats mozzies and I'm keeping it."

[tenlittlecygnets]

You don't have a choice about 'letting' inspectors in, op; it's not your property.

You sound defensive. Maybe the inspector was unreasonable, maybe you are in denial about how unfit your place is. We can't tell. But if he suggested no further action, then don't worry about it.

[purpleme12]

I'm pretty sure anyone would be defensive if someone came round and said the above when they've got no right. And it wouldn't make anyone feel good.

What I was trying to illustrate by the comment about letting an inspection happen is that if it was that bad I would know he sounds l would comment so wouldn't want him to come in in the first place

I shouldn't have posted