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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse landlord inspection?

90 replies

purplefox · 27/10/2016 13:55

I've just been emailed by my landlord saying he wants to come and inspect my flat at 7pm tonight, giving 6 hours notice, not the 48 hours notice which is required. This isn't the first time they haven't given the required notice to visit and its really starting to piss me off that I'm supposed to drop everything and change my plans at a moments notice, especially as I have anxiety re. anyone being in my flat.

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 27/10/2016 14:24

If they refuse access, the LL does not have the right to access the property.

I doubt a LL would insist if the tenant refused - how could they gain access without force?

However it would be more than silly to refuse a reasonable request with the required notice - I've worked with families who have been evicted for less.

Pinkheart5915 · 27/10/2016 14:27

Just text/email back and say you are out this evening but could do X day.

I am a landlord and have done inspections at short notice in the past if tenants do not mind but if I ask and they say for whatever reason that it isn't possible it's never a problem, I just send DH another time.

Justaboy · 27/10/2016 14:34

"e-mail? what e-mail? never received an e-mail from you, sorry resend it "

Tenant closes door in LL's face;)

JellyBelli · 27/10/2016 14:35

There was a thread recently from a tenant who refused access on short notice, the agent let themselves anyway, and people went batshit that OP complained. And its here on this thread too, tha attitude that tenants should have to suck it up.
Well no, tenants dont have to suck it up. this is why there are laws regulating landlords, because many people are nasty.

LL have to give 24 hours minimum notice unless its an emergency. Thats the law. It exists for a reason.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/common-problems-with-renting/

ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax · 27/10/2016 14:36

it would be more than silly to refuse a reasonable request with the required notice

Of course it would. But the OP asked if she could refuse the inspection given the very short notice, to which the answer is: yes, just say that it is inconvenient and arrange another time.
The problem here is that lots of people post things about LL's right to access without considering that it is not an absolute right - you can refuse all inspections, even if it would be unwise to do so.

Eatthecake · 27/10/2016 14:39

Just email or text back and say " unfortunately it's too short notice for tonight as I have plans but I would be available on X and X date"

Please don't get yourself worked up over it OP, it can easily be sorted out

WaitrosePigeon · 27/10/2016 14:42

I don't get the issue - you just say 'Tonight doesn't work for me. How about at ?

SuburbanRhonda · 27/10/2016 14:47

I think if the OP had said from the start that she was fine with the inspection, just not the short notice, it would have been clearer. Once she clarified that in a subsequent post, pretty much everyone was in agreement about the way forward.

Schoolisback1973 · 27/10/2016 14:48

My agency always arranges inspection in advance. However they did ask once at a really short notice. I said no and they were ok to reschedule. Surely it isn't expected of you to change your plans last minute for a non emergency inspection. Your LL will be ok with that am sure.

Starlight2345 · 27/10/2016 14:49

Can I just ask for you might it be better to get it over and done with..Assuming your home is repetitively clean and tidy would it not worry you more waiting for it.

I only ask that as I tend to overthink things.

If not email back as others have suggested...Do you get your emails immediately..I only check my emails once a day.

SloanePeterson · 27/10/2016 14:51

I don't know if you've sorted this now, but for me is get it over with. I've suffered with terrible anxiety and I know is it's not nice, but I'd rather get the inspection out of the way so as not to waste the next few days worrying.

icanteven · 27/10/2016 14:52

I rent out a property and I would be mortified if I had to ask to invade their space like that, let along with just six hours notice. It's their house and a same day inspection is treating them like little children.

On the other hand, if I had complaints from the neighbour (the normal neighbour, not the crazy neighbour who is no long allowed to contact me directly), I would potentially ask to set up a time to call in for a chat, maybe? Or I would chicken out and ask the letting agency for advice.

expatinscotland · 27/10/2016 15:22

Just tell them tonight isn't possible and suggest another time.

'Unless you're growing cannabis he won't care just wants to check that everything is ok. Personally I'd prepare a quick list of things I'd liked fixed and have the kettle on.'

That is not necessarily true at all! Plenty of LL's conduct thorough inspections, including opening cupboards and wardrobes and have high expectations of cleanliness and tidiness that mean the tenant needs to prepare.

Trifleorbust · 27/10/2016 15:31

I wouldn't have my LL opening my wardrobes and cupboards. Inspecting the property has to be reasonable and that doesn't involve invading my privacy.

ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax · 27/10/2016 15:35

Why would a LL even be interested in cupboards, or even general tidiness? Surely inspections are to check their property to make sure that damage is not being done/whether any repairs are needed.
I've lived many rented properties over the years when I used to move a lot with work and count myself lucky that I never once had a LL who wanted to inspect.

expatinscotland · 27/10/2016 15:39

Plenty do! Quite a few people on here have been written up over relatively minor cleanliness infractions, some of them bordering on ridiculous.

RoseGoldHippie · 27/10/2016 15:45

If you own the cupboards, how does a LL think they are allowed to go in there? Likewise drawers etc?

SooWrites · 27/10/2016 15:47

My LL's are very interested in how clean my house. It pisses me off tbh as I know legally they have no right to tell me how often I need to vacuum my stairs however as they can evict me for any reason they want now I no longer have a contract I can't complain.

ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax · 27/10/2016 15:52

Oh, I wasn't doubting that some LLs are interested in how tidy your drawers are. I just can't think why they care, or why they believe that it is their business.

CaptainCallisto · 27/10/2016 16:20

Yup, our letting agents once emailed the landlord to say we were not maintaining the property, and suggested that she arrange to visit again herself to make note of the 'squalid conditions'. They sent us a copy of the email, and when I queried what heck they were talking about (my house was clean and tidy!) we were told that we should have made sure the breakfast things were washed up. So three cereal bowls, three spoons, a knife, and a side plate in the sink ready for washing constitute squalor now? Confused

Luckily our LL was lovely and couldn't have cared as long as the house was clean when we left! After that we refused point blank to let them in the house without one of us there.

Original poster
purplefox · 27/10/2016 17:18

I emailed, gave him various other dates, no reply as of yet, hopefully he's not just going to turn up anyway.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 27/10/2016 17:22

If he does, put the key in the lock barrel and don't open the door!

JenLindleyShitMom · 27/10/2016 17:25

Why would a LL even be interested in cupboards, or even general tidiness?

My agent in my last house opened cupboards AND the oven where I had hidden my dirty dishes! Blush

carmenta · 27/10/2016 17:26

Plenty of LL's conduct thorough inspections, including opening cupboards and wardrobes and have high expectations of cleanliness and tidiness that mean the tenant needs to prepare.

They can have all the expectations they like, "clean and tidy" isn't a legal requirement. The model agreement for an assured shorthold tenancy says "Guidance Note: Tenant’s obligation to take reasonable care of the property: There is a legal duty on tenants to avoid, or repair, wilful or negligent damage caused by the tenant, the tenant’s family members or guests and to do the minor acts necessary to keep the property in a reasonable state. This would include jobs such as changing light-bulbs, unblocking sinks (where the blockage has been caused by the tenant’s waste) and doing other little jobs around the property that a reasonable tenant would do. This is known as the duty to behave in a tenant-like manner.". That means not damaging the property and doing things like ensuring the heating is on in winter so the pipes don't burst. It doesn't mean five star hotel style cleanliness.

SooWrites · 27/10/2016 18:30

They can have all the expectations they like, "clean and tidy" isn't a legal requirement

No, it's not, but that doesn't mean they won't try to impose those expectations on a tenant and realistically what can a tenant do?

I've had letters after inspections stating that the property was in "an unsatisfactory state' and 'this is not how the property was let to you'

Examples of this unsatisfactory state included;

Stairs not hoovered to a satisfactory standard
Laundry on beds
A small red food mark on splash back behind oven

I was given 24 hours to rectify these problems. Failure to do so would result in further action.

I could, of course, refuse to entertain their ridiculous ideas and take further action myself if they decide to kick me on the basis of splashes on the splash back. And they could serve me a with a no-fault eviction notice and there's fuck all I can do about it.

I can't afford to move as yet but as soon as I can they stick their inspections up their arse and take all the action against me they wish to take.

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