To refuse access

[OurMiracle1106]

My landlord called at 2pm today to gain access to the property in order to fit a fire alarm (first we've heard of it) and wanted to visit the property this afternoon or at 9am tomorrow.

Firstly we all work. I'm currently on leave as I'm term time only but they require access to all of our rooms (I flatshare) and secondly I have plans today and am actually out of London visiting a friend tomorrow.

I told them it wasn't possible so they asked if they could enter without myself present which I denied

They have stated they may need to access the property regardless to not having consent as they are facing a £5000 fine if it is not done and will be delivering letters today

However I've stated I do not want them present in my room and 9am tomorrow is not in my opinion "reasonable notice"

Aibu to refuse?

I agree that the landlord is in the wrong. But they also can't make the fire company work evenings and weekends. They should have sorted it, but they didn't. And I would rather it was done than not done.

If the OP would rather it was not done (considering there isn't a time machine so we can't change what the landlord has already done) that's her lookout. Landlord gets a fine, she risks a fire. Everyone potentially loses. Lose:lose. The best of all outcomes!

I think YANBU to be pissed off and in any other situation I would say that tough shit they need to rearrange at a better time.

However I would let them go in to put in a better fire alarm system the first chance I got. Yes it would serve them right to get a fine and it is totally their fault that they have left it so late but i think the potential benefit of a newer fire safety alarm system would out weigh my want to not let them see my pants.

Ignore the piss-takers upthread who don't get it.

How delightful

I'm totally with you OP - they need to give you more notice and respect your request to be present.

Here's a different slant on it - of OP owned the property and wanted work done, would you tell them they were being unreasonable if they told a tradesman he couldn't go into the house without them being there??

FFS...this is a website where countless people have the vapours over strangers using their loo and yet the OP should suck it up and allow complete strangers into her home when she's not there? Why? Because she's a scummy renter and therefore without real entitlement to privacy in her own home?

The fire alarm is not an emergency issue. Not having it right now does not immediately endanger anyone in the way a gas leak or dangerous electrical fault would. And, as she had already said there are already working fire alarms in the property. If the LL is risking a fine he's doing so because he has left it so long so that's his tough shit.

People have rights for a reason, and yet it's becoming more and more common for them to be made to feel ashamed for exercising them.

Ooh, I like your red stripy knickers - not being a weirdo, just like unusual pants!
I rent out a property, and can (and do, I wouldn't even ask to go in before then unless it was an emergency situation) only go in with 24 hrs notice, plus I try to be reasonable with my tenants, so if it's not working for you, then they'll have to wait I guess.

This thread is so strange. I don't think yabu to want notice that's reasonable. I think yabu to cite your pants drying as a reason you don't want them to come them photographing them and putting them on the internet.

Tell them that if they must have access it must be with the letting agent present.

It's your home and your privacy. If you don't feel comfortable then don't allow them in without you there. They haven't gave you enough notice.
I let my landlord gain access when I wasn't there and now she lets herself in without my permission. Start as you mean to go on.