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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not want a flat inspection during my holiday...

28 replies

Phoebefromfriends · 08/04/2017 08:51

I rent and have to have flat inspections every 3 months that I really hate but accept. The estate agent wrote to me to say the next inspection is in a few weeks when I'm on annual leave and I will be away seeing my parents. I've emailed the estate agent and they are being difficult about moving it. I hate these inspections at the best of times and have loads on before I go away and I like to clean and tidy before they come but will have limited time to do it. At the last inspection I pointed out an issue with the shower hose that they said they would fix and haven't. I don't have to be there for the inspection but because I'm away I'm worried about someone being in the flat whilst I'm away. Maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily.

OP posts:

jellyfrizz · 08/04/2017 08:53

Just say no it's not possible then and offer an alternative date.
Unless it's an emergency situation they have no legal right to enter your home without your permission,

ForalltheSaints · 08/04/2017 08:56

If the estate agent is a man, ask how they would like it if someone came into their sister's house without agreement? I would say wife, but that is presumptuous and most male estate agents give the impression that their only sexual relationship is with their hand.

Thatextrainch · 08/04/2017 08:56

Just say it's not convenient, you do not need to say why and offer a few other convenient dates. Email this and remind them about the shower

Original poster

Phoebefromfriends · 08/04/2017 08:56

I offered them the Friday after and they said they can't do it then. I also rang the office yesterday and left a voicemail asking to reorganise it and they haven't returned my call. I've also sent an email asking for another date and they haven't responded to that. I'm less than impressed.

OP posts:

AnathemaPulsifer · 08/04/2017 08:57

Every 3 months sounds very frequent. Sounds to me like they're interrupting your 'quiet enjoyment' of the property, but hopefully someone will be along with better advice of how to tackle it.

Personally I would probably write to them saying that they do not have your permission to enter the property at that time and asking for a different date the week after. I would ask for inspections to reduce to every 6 months after that now that they've had a chance to see that you're a good tenant. And i would also put in writing that you asked them to fix the shower at the last inspection and they have not, which is unacceptable.

IsangforLadyArcher · 08/04/2017 08:58

Ask for a different date. You are being flexible not obstructive. Offer them set dates and times - its their problem if they can't make it.

Hellmouth · 08/04/2017 09:00

YANBU

I wouldn't want anyone inspecting our flat with us being away either! You want to be sure they don't record something silly, and I think it's a good time to bring up stuff which needs to be looked. I would put it in writing that you are not available and that you do not give them permission to enter the property without your presence.

Also every 3 months is ridiculous :|

Original poster

Phoebefromfriends · 08/04/2017 09:09

Thanks everyone, I've had 6 monthly inspections before and whilst it was annoying every months is quite stressful. This will be my third in the property, I need to check my contract to see what it says. I've offered then another date and followed up about the shower in an email. They can't make the date I've offered so I've asked them for another date but they haven't responded. The estate agent was quite belligerent in her email. I'll try again to get hold of them I just hate being inspected.

OP posts:

Trifleorbust · 08/04/2017 09:15

Offer them dates you can do. If they can't do them it really is their problem to solve. Don't worry about it.

Original poster

Phoebefromfriends · 08/04/2017 09:34

I think I'm worried they will go ahead regardless or report back to the landlord that I'm being obstructive.

OP posts:

Nojellyintrifle · 08/04/2017 09:39

I think that three months is too often and not a reasonable clause in a contract.
It absolutely is your right to be there, tell them that you cannot accept unaccompanied viewings due to your insurance.

Tell them the dates that are convenient to you, you are not beholden to them, this is a service that doesn't benefit you and is for the reassurance of the landlord.

When I was renting (and a landlord), I found it was the 'dodgier' and less professional agents who did three month inspections.

Trifleorbust · 08/04/2017 09:49

Phoebefromfriends:

Make it explicit that you do not give permission for them to let themselves into the property. If they break the law you can make a police complaint.

Keep all correspondence with them. Yes, it is possible that they will tell the LL you are being obstructive, but you can forward on correspondence showing that you are complying with the terms of the let and it is the agent making it difficult.

You could also contact the LL to say that you are finding 3 monthly inspections to be too frequent and they are inconveniencing you. Would it be possible, now that you have shown yourself to be a good tenant, to move to 6 monthly inspections instead?

specialsubject · 08/04/2017 09:53

Read how to rent guide.

Write to agent, copy to landlord, rearranging date. Ask for response.

specialsubject · 08/04/2017 09:54

Oh, and add in letter that reported problem is not fixed and needs doing by x date.

Original poster

Phoebefromfriends · 08/04/2017 09:59

Thank you for all your helpful replies. I'm going to try and get hold of the estate agents again.

OP posts:

specialsubject · 08/04/2017 14:51

Don't waste your time! Write with proof of posting as above.

scaryteacher · 08/04/2017 16:18

Nojelly I insist my agent does quarterly inspections, as I want to pick up any issues early on. I don't care if it's tidy or not, but want to see if the fabric of the building is fine. Mine is an older property, so if maintenance isn't done pronto, then it gets more expensive.

Original poster

Phoebefromfriends · 08/04/2017 16:38

This building is 9 years old so fairly new, I do understand the reasons behind it but personally feel quarterly is quite invasive, six monthly is more manageable. I feel like I'm constantly being spied on in my own home, which isn't a nice feeling. It's also soul destroying to know I'll be renting for the foreseeable future and have to put up with this.

OP posts:

KinkyAfro · 08/04/2017 16:55

I had no issues with EA inspections, I don't understand the angst about them. They aren't looking to see if it's tidy, they are checking there's no damage to fixtures and fittings and it isn't being used illegally. Surely this is in your tenancy agreement that you signed up to, why did you not mention it at the time

AwfulSomething · 08/04/2017 16:56

I am in a long term rental and have three monthly inspections. Since one of the members of staff is so rude I avoid being home for these inspections. I also leave any tradespeople to get a key and let themselves in. All in all the procession of people in and out can get very annoying, by arranging these things for when I am out I avoid the aggravation/discomfort! But, as said It's a long term rental and I haven't had any issues with damage/lost items, and I can call/email about any maintenance issues any time. My landlord is also very fair and approachable if any issues arise.

Hellmouth · 08/04/2017 16:58

Kinky a tenancy agreement may not specify the number of inspections a year. Mine doesn't.

I think every quarter is really unnecessary.

Original poster

Phoebefromfriends · 08/04/2017 17:10

kinky I'm not sure how familiar you are with the rental market but you usually don't have a lot of choice in the matter, especially when you can have a number of people bidding for the same property. In my case I couldn't find somewhere to live until 10 days before I had to move, weakening my negotiating position. I literally had no choice. I had seen a number of properties and they didn't work out for various reasons, one of them being the landlord wanting to credit check my mum who was going to be a guarantor, despite me having a job, this was alongside the £500 agency fee. I lost another because I wasn't from the area, the LL chose someone from the area over me. I didn't take another because it had storage heaters, damp and the woman next door had just died in a fire. Another one had just been built and didn't have a single window, it only had skylights it felt like you were in a prison, to live in that cell was going to cost me £600.

OP posts:

HelenaDove · 08/04/2017 17:20

If it were me i would not be comfortable with someone wandering around the place where i live while i wasnt there.

What if something of the tenants goes missing or gets damaged.

It would affect contents insurance and i cant see these agents paying up.

gammaraystar · 08/04/2017 17:42

Well, I think as long as they give you 24 hours notice, there isn't much you can do? It maybe your home, but it isn't your property.

HelenaDove · 08/04/2017 17:48

So the tenant isnt entitled to a life or to protect her own belongings just by dint of being a tenant?!

Do fuck off gamma.

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