Can estate agents photograph rooms?

[P0loGirl]

When you’re living there?! Seems like such a gross invasion of privacy but that’s what happened today. It’s a rented property and the inspection was today.

Estate agents are largely unregulated, so I expect they can. Were you asked about it beforehand, to have an option of objecting?

As a LL myself, I don’t think a property should be advertised, nor should there be viewings, until the current tenants have left.

You can refuse entry to the agent.

They should not photograph your possessions without permission.

Yes. Ours take photos at every inspection. I don’t think it’s a big deal to be honest - we have nothing to hide so I just let him get on with it! I also like that it means there’s evidence of exactly what the condition of the property was with the previous tenants.

You can prevent them from entering your property. You can say no to viewings. You can say no to photos. It doesn’t matter what your lease says - if it’s the law the lease can’t contradict it. And it is the law that you have to right to quiet enjoyment of your rental property while you occupy it, which includes annyone entering without permission. The exception is if there is an emergency (like a pipe bursting) that needs repair.

If you refuse inspections then that’s easy grounds for an eviction. I don’t understand why some people actively want to make life difficult for themselves. As a renter you’re always going to be at the mercy of a third party - that’s just life!

@Cappuccino5you can refuse an inspection though it’s not really in the best interest of the tenant to do so. And refuse photos, but again it’s not in their best interest really.

We have lived here in a rented house over 10 years. They always take photos on an annual inspection. Its completely normal so that they can keep an eye on normal wear and tear, any maintenance that needs doing etc. They aren't looking at your possessions or furnishings.

I never said that you couldn’t refuse..

The agent will want evidence that the inspection was done and what the condition the property was in

I agree that you could have said no. I wouldn't think any decent landlord would expect it, either.

Mind you, people sometimes shoot themselves in the foot with this. We once rented a house where the agent came round to take photos before we moved out. It was a part-furnished house and most of the nice furniture was ours; we had actually made it lovely. They let themselves in without permission while we were out and took photos which went up on rightmove.

We then started moving our stuff out, so when viewers came round expecting a part-furnished flat with a nice sofa, table and chairs, pretty framed double bed etc., they found a double mattress on the floor and a couple of broken chairs we'd stored in the understairs cupboard. They were understandably not best pleased. I don't think the agent was very popular with the landlord, either!

I think it’s fair enough to photograph for annual inspection.I think it’s really unfair to take photos of your belongings to publish for a potential sale.

How do you think people sell family homes?!

Yeah its normal.

There's a really big difference between hiring an estate agent to take pictures of your own stuff. You have the freedom to make decisions about what to put out and what to hide, and the freedom to say to the agent 'oh, god, please don't include that photo of our kids on that wall; just take a different angle'. And you also know that when viewings happen, you're in control.

Also, when you are selling a family home you own, you want it sold. When you are a tenant, you are paying for the right to quiet enjoyment. It's not the same.

You really can't. If tennants refuse things like gas inspections that's the point your not following the law as a landlord and you'd be evicted. That the law. The LL needs to do inspections to make sure the CO and fire alarms are still up and working because the LL has a duty to so under law

I rent out a house in Scotland 7-8 hours from where I live, via an agent. The agent takes photos during inspections to show me, as I cannot attend in person. It’s not inside cupboards etc, just to show the house, garden etc are being kept well. There is one pre-tenancy, one +3months, then if all going well one annually. I’m a good landlord and conscientious but it is my property and I need reassurance it is being looked after. I don’t think that’s unreasonable.