Are Landlords allowed to do this?

[vinhall]

Legal question really I think.

It's only a question of curiosity as I'm not personally moving to this area, but a friend showed this advertisement to me as she is looking for a rental property. Anyway, the LL states that monthly inspection will be carried out, and in addition random, unannounced checks will be carried out.

Surely that isn't allowed? Though my friend said she's seen a few advertisements worded similarly. This was a two, or three, bed family home for £500 a month (so very reasonably priced I think).

Nope. Pretty sure the most frequent is 6monthly, and if he turns up unannounced he doesn't have to be let in.

The problem is getting will let himself in anyway, so will find some not so savvy mug who doesn't know the law to get away with his shit with no consequences.

I would see who I could report that ad to though...

There's no specific rules around frequency but it can't be excessive and anything more than 3 monthly would likely be considered so (an initial inspection after the first month might be reasonable, though). Unannounced inspections are flat out illegal as notice is required, ideally in writing - minimum of 24hrs, usually more in practice.

Nope

There's no rule on how frequent inspections can be but the law protects tenants to a 'quiet enjoyment of the home' which prevents them turning up unannounced. You could argue that monthly inspections also breach that rule of quiet enjoyment. 6 month inspections is the norm.

I am a LL and I also think that landlord might well be seen to be overstepping the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment with monthly checks.
Random unannounced checks are also really problematic as there is a requirement to give 24 hours notice under s11(6) of Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Some landlords don't understand exclusive possession i.e. the tenant has a legal right to be in the property and the landlord does not during the life of a tenancy.

england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/harassment_by_a_private_landlord/understand_your_tenancy_rights

www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/section/11

Thanks everyone. The unannounced checks particularly rang alarm bells.

Though I'm not sure who we'd report it to, as this was a private ad rather than through an estate or letting agent.

Nope illegal. Even if a tenant signs a contract saying it’s ok statute would override this

Could be a LL who has suffered a Grow house in their property and is anxious about a repeat.

6 months is enough time to get a crop and get out leaving a trashed house and no rent paid for 5 months.

BTW - this happened in a flat very close to us. Only discovered when it caught fire because of the diverted electrical supply.

Luckily no-one was killed.

This, or maybe someone whose had a problem with undeclared pets. Still not legal though.

Wait till it’s tenanted and pop them though the information that shows he can’t do unannounced visits plus the quiet enjoyment bit.

Then it’s upto the tenant to report if they want to.

So what? Doesn’t put them above the law. They can sell if they can’t cope with being a landlord.
Not wanting to sound dismissive of you by the way, but if a landlord can’t operate inside of the law because of a bad experience, then they need to sell.