Estate agents and inspections

[Stardust1901]

Hi ladies

We've been living in a privately rented property for two years now with the estate agents doing an inspection every 3 months. This is fine (however annoying), I've been here every time they've visited.

The next inspection is due and on the day, I'm not available, but according to the estate agents, I don't need to be there as they have a key and will let themselves in. This does not sit right with me. The though of a stranger going through my home, not to mention the possibility of theft (unlikely, but not impossible).

WIBU to send an email stating that no one is to enter the property without me being present and that a suitable time and date needs to arranged beforehand not a generic 'between 9am and 5pm'?

I also want to tell them that I'm not happy that they're willing to give a key to my property to people such as the gas man incase we're not in. Surely that can't be right?

In a previous house I was waiting on a boiler repair and had told the agent I would ensure I was in when an appointment made because I did not want anyone letting themselves into my home when I wasn't there. I had previously emailed the same about any visits that no one was to ever let themselves in. They told me the engineer would call and make the appointment with me directly. One afternoon I had to pop to the shops and left my 11 year old daughter at home doing her homework. When I got in there was a bloke in my kitchen starting to fix the boiler and my daughter hiding in the lounge! She didn't know what to do. Or who he was. He had turned up with a key and then simply let himself in. I was livid with the agents as he should never have been given my key! We moved and changed agents. ( at massive expense)

Thanks everyone!

I have sent a polite but firm email. I just hope they respect that.
But tbh I don't see what much I can do if they do enter without permission?

You can report them through the property ombudsman if they enter without consent, assuming they are registered

It's true that legally they cannot enter without your permission if you've stated you do not agree to this. However, I would caution against being too difficult (ie, saying no to inspections every three months as some seem to think you should do) as although you have rights so does the landlord, one of which being to terminate your contract and find a new tenant.

I don't say this to scare you as I think it's completely reasonable to not want someone in the house when you are not present but being difficult about arranging dates and times is not, amongst other things.

It is your home whilst you rent it but only for as long as the landlord deems it to be. I only say this so it can protect you because if you want it to carry on being your home, keep this in mind when deciding what you think is reasonable and what is not.

Thanks user1476649634

It's frustrating because we see the LL everyday as he's working on the other flats attached to us. We have a good relationship and if there's a problem, we go directly to him a lot of the time. He's seen inside the property many a time and comments on how nice we've made it and tidy it is.

It would be great if we could cut out the middle man!

But tbh I don't see what much I can do if they do enter without permission?

You can change the locks for a start. Lodge a complaint with whatever ombudsman you have for private rentals. Talk to the landlord direct.
There is plenty you can do, if you can be bothered.

You can report them through the property ombudsman if they enter without consent, assuming they are registered

I second this. All property agents (yours are letting agents) are required by law to be registered with a property ombudsman, failure to do so can incur hefty fines. In the event of this you'd have to report them to your local trading standards.