To refuse permission for this inspection of my home to take place?

[tenantatendoftether]

In the 24 months that the inspection schedule has been running since I moved in, the agent has failed to turn up five times and rescheduled, meaning that I have prepared for 13 inspections in that time. The most notice I have had that they weren't coming is half an hour, and that was only once. Of those that have gone ahead which I have been present for, on one occasion the guy turned up three hours early and on another one hour early. Twice he made verbal comments about my housekeeping. He didn't put either in his report - probably because he knew he wouldn't get away with it as my housekeeping is fine - he was just asserting his position.

This most recent one they have cancelled twice with no notice. I emailed one of the directors to say how unsatisfactory the situation was and that I do not think the inspection should be rescheduled yet again but just written off.

She refused to do so and now I've had an email from the person who does inspections giving me a third date.

I have prepared for inspections on average every eight weeks for two years. It is not my problem if the agents failed to turn up for appointments that they themselves have made. Wibu to refuse permission?

[specialsubject]

what an inspection should be looking for:

• property issues; leaks, damp, breakages, things falling off (especially after windy weather). Yes, tenants should report this kind of stuff but not everyone does, or notices.
  
• regarding the tenant - property ventilated/heated and not mouldy. Evidence of occasional housework. No piles of rotting food smeared on walls and floor. No huge piles of rubbish outside. No signs of drug dealing, electrical tampering etc (it was so much fun to clear all that up...)
  

in short, living like a normal human being.

toys scattered about, clothes not put away, possessions everywhere - that is not the landlord's or the agents business as they do not affect the property.

and the inspection is done at a mutually agreed time, not when the agency feels like it.

[viques]

Enormous Tiger, would you be happy to give your door keys to someone in order that a total stranger could turn up and poke about in your house whenever they wanted and write reports on you? no, me neither, and I bet the OP feels the same.

[Cherrysoup]

Contact the ll direct. I'd be fuming if my tenants were being put through this, it's not fair. You are well within your rights to refuse to let them inspect while you are not present and I would expect my tenants to choose to be there. It's their home, they shouldn't have someone there whilst they're not.

[Sunnyshores]

Tiger I really would encourage your son to do inspections. Going through an agent could also be a good idea for his first year of being a landlord.

[MongerTruffle]

You shouldn't need to "prepare" for inspections. It doesn't matter whether the property is a tip; they're looking for whether you've damaged the property (or anything that came with it) or if they need to fix anything.

[Floridasunset]

I would want to know if the LA was bothering my tenants.
That said, I don't do official inspections as my tenants have been there a few years and look after the property well. We go round once a year to discuss the AST as they like it to be renewed rather than a rolling contract, exchange Christmas cards and have a cup of tea. They text me if there is ever a problem and we usually get round there the same day to sort it.
Inspections every 3 months seems excessive.

[Gabilan]

surely most people would want to be present when there is someone inspecting their home

My landlady and landlord are currently having an extension put on the outside of the house. They frequently request access and I could not possibly live my life around it or be there. They couldn't make it any clearer that this is a very temporary home for me. I can't remember the last time I had quiet enjoyment and in fact don't think I have since they bought the property 18 months ago. They're a fucking nuisance, despite being nice people, because they just don't seem to get that the occasional bottle of wine does not make up for the fucking annoyance. And breath.

Anyway OP I get where you're coming from in terms of the annoyance and inconvenience. I would be inclined to take time and date stamped photos of the property on the morning an inspection is due. If they don't turn up send the photos. If they do and make a false report of damage or something, you'll have the photos as proof they're lying.

[EnormousTiger]

I've let properties before without an agent and he does have my views if he needs them. I think he will be moving into the property later this year anyway and the tenants seem fine. In a sense when he turns up to do repairs etc (or when we removed the sofa) it was a kind of inspection as we were inside and could see they were looking after it well.

My daughter is always having people in to her place to fix things when she isn't there as she has nothing much to steal inside. However not everyone has the same laid back view about that kind of thing.

[purplefishy]

Speaking as a landlord yes I would want to know as they may be completely unaware of it if it's managed by a agent as prom pervious experience of letting agents some have poor communication.

I think that is excessive and I can't understand why your having so many.

I self manage now and to be honest so what if it's a bit untidy, as long as it's not damaging the fabric for f the house there is no issue.

But I'm pretty laid back, despite getting my fingers burnt. I don't do "inspections" as such. Yearly I attend for the gas safe and test the smoke alarms and I notify the tenants for peace of mind the plumber will do a quick check of all radiatiors and he reports back if there are any major issues. There haven't been.

I also attend the property if any issues crop up.

One lot of tenants I had were royaly messed about by the agents at the end of there tenancy, I wasn't informed until it was too late but the had 20 viewings within a month and 15 no shows last minute. It's unexceptable and I changed agents after that.

I would email and copy in the landlord as these checks are excessive and unless there checking up on you for previous issues I cannot understand why they are doing it