Are tenants legally obliged to allow work on house by landlord?

[PomBearWithoutHerOFRS]

I know it's an odd question, but is a tenant legally obliged to allow the landlord to carry out work?
For example, fit a new kitchen or windows? Assuming the existing ones are fit for purpose, so work isn't urgent, and tenant hasn't asked for it. Can landlord just say tenants must allow surveys and workers in on a date set by the landlord/contractor
Do tenants have a right to decline?

@ComtesseDeSpair

You’re obliged to allow your landlord to fulfil their legal obligation to keep the property in a good state of repair. Windows might fall into that if they were no longer watertight or double glazing had blown etc, but upgrades and improvements wouldn’t.

That’s untrue. You do not need to allow the landlord or workmen access for any reason. If you don’t want them coming in, they’d have to apply to court for access.

Dunno why you’d refuse a new kitchen-probably a lot of hassle to move stuff, but as mentioned, the HA won’t offer again in a hurry.

@trappedsincesundaymorn

When my HA did mine they reformatted the layout and I was able to choose the style of cupboard handles, the colour of the worktops and flooring and what colour I wanted the walls to be. The workman did a fantastic job on it.

Ooh! I'd love my layout reformatting - mine is SO crap and annoying!

Mine is also not great but then it's a small space that I've done my best with. I've identified an Island as being the one improvement I really need. I'd quite like more trendy doors etc but would be reluctant to go through all the upheaval and possible shoddy workmanship it would entail just so they could hit whatever target they've set themselves. Unless they sat down with me and asked me exactly what I needed 🤣🤣

@billyt

I don't rent, but from what I've read over the years you do not have to allow any visits.

And it doesn't mater what he has written into your contract as that cannot over ride law.

You are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your home. It may be his house but your home.

Unfortunately you don't know what you're talking about.

Landlords (or their representatives) have the right of legal access for property safety and security , like plumbing leaks. or gas appliance servicing and essential maintenance.

Section 11 from the Landlord And Tenant Act 1985

Windows are to the latest spec and are usually offered as a result of risk assessments of things going wrong elsewhere. Call them and ask why they are replacing them, what these new changes are, and how they would benefit you. And then decide. You aren’t paying for them so I’d be inclined to say yes if it’s to meet new safety regs - simply to ensure my safety.

I can't understand why you (or whoever the tenant is) wouldn't want a new kitchen or windows

I can't understand why you (or whoever the tenant is) wouldn't want a new kitchen or windows

Well there could be many reasons if you use your imagination . Maybe they're having a mental health crisis or can't afford the time off work to accommodate or are recovering from illness. Maybe they're happy with the one they have!

Or like the previous tenant here, they'd just decorated and didn't want it wrecked by the work.

Is it cosmetic or remedial?

Either way - if you like where you live, why cause tension and stress. Just allow them to do the work and then much more amenable when YOU want something done

Well nobody wants upheaval that they can't see the benefit of. This isn't hard to understand is it. You don't have to be mentally ill to just not want building work done that doesn't need doing.

No doubt the electrical items need to be replaced
And so a safety issue

HA unlikely to want to put in a new kitchen unless legally obliged to

So they have law on their side
Suck it up op

Which electrical items are those?

My Aunt is arguing about her roof at the moment.
The roofs on her bit of older houses are fine but they are slate. The LA want to remove the slate, replace with plastic bonded tiles that are cheaper to replace and more in use. It's also cheaper to get roofing contractors in to do large projects (all the SH at once) than individual roofs. The contractor also salvages the slate tiles making it cheaper still.
Problem is the contractors working the project are utter pricks cowboys. They've caused no end of issues and extra work in two neighbouring streets and also mayhem in the local area with parking and delivery chaos.
They did the same in adjoining SH estates.
My Aunt is ill and her partner very ill. They don't need a new roof and are terrified they will end up in trouble for refusing.

Sometimes people forget it isn't the old style works department, now it's whoever is cheapest.

@MeAndDebbieMcGee

Which electrical items are those?

Fridge? Freezer? Hob? Oven? I could go on

After a certain period, HAs will be obliged to replace

Check the tenancy agreement - I think work to do with ensuring the property is kept in a good state of repair is obligatory.
Gas safety checks are obligatory and anything to do with the fire alarms.
But really it would be best to speak to the housing manager for the area at the HA.

They won’t be doing it to make the kitchen look prettier

It will be for a specific reason
Either multiple repairs have been restored and not cost effective to keep repairing
Or a certain time period has passed

They don't provide those in many SH properties Marny.

@Marni83

No doubt the electrical items need to be replaced And so a safety issue

HA unlikely to want to put in a new kitchen unless legally obliged to

So they have law on their side
Suck it up op

Fridge? Freezer? Hob? Oven? I could go on My landlords provided none of those things

Fridge? Freezer? Hob? Oven?
I could go on

After a certain period, HAs will be obliged to replace

The HA wouldn't usually be providing those in a secure tenancy.

* Your tenancy agreement*
Your tenancy agreement states that you must allow our staff and contractors to come into your home to do inspections, repairs, servicing and replacement and improvement works.

That’s in Southampton for example

Key word there is

Improvements

Our previous LL wanted to replace the carpets mid tenancy (which weren't new when we moved in). They'd spotted they had holes in, when they did an inspection, the first inspection they did, about 7 years after we moved in. They probably realised it was a safety hazard. I replied by email that as we had a young toddler who would shortly begin potty training, the timing wasn't very sensible for them or us. Also, they were asking us to a) move absolutely everything we owned into either the kitchen or into storage units for a week, & b) go on holiday while they did it, it wasn't really viable, but they never came up with a solution to that... They weren't even offering a rent reduction or to cover the cost of moving our stuff. They dropped it in the end, & replaced the carpets after we moved out another 5 years later. They were really quite awful LLs though. We had a gas fire with a condemned sticker on it for about 3 years, & a hole in the kitchen ceiling for 18 months after some boiler works were done & they didn't bother to get a plasterer in. And a hole opened up under the floor just inside the back door which they just never fixed, it's probably still there, it could be an inch deep or 12 feet, goodness knows, you can't tell because of the floor covering.

Wow Marni you really don't know how housing associations work do you. They don't supply any white goods or carpets.

Yet here you are, pontificating away.

Is this a hobby or a compulsion?

@Marni83

* Your tenancy agreement* *Your tenancy agreement states that you must allow our staff and contractors to come into your home to do inspections, repairs, servicing and replacement and improvement works.*

That’s in Southampton for example

I see where you got confused..."servicing and replacement" refers to things such as boilers, smoke alarms etc. NOT white goods.