3 monthly inspections including taking photos is a bit much?

[randomuntrainedcuntowner]

We are in a rented property that is being managed by an estate agent. Our landlady lives downstairs. I have nothing to hide and I keep the place tidy, but they (the management company) insist on inspecting the property every 3 months. They just send us a letter informing us they are going to do this, so will just enter when we are out unless we respond otherwise. I have been able to rearrange before due to working night shifts etc, but I just find it excessively intrusive.

Today we were in as I am off work, and it turns out they take multiple photos of the place. Dd summed it up (she is 7) when she said, unprompted, that she doesn't like people taking pictures of her room - when I told her the come every 3 months usually when we are out, she said it feels like something is sneaking around our house when we are out - of it feels wrong to a usually friendly and outgoing 7 year old, surely I anbu?

I feel like they may object if we ask for it to be stepped down a bit seeing as we have been good tenants for over a year and always keep the place clean and tidy, and I suspect they do this to justify whatever fee they charge the landlady. What does everyone else think?

Your landlady sounds nice - ask her. It's not like she couldn't arrange to pop round herself if there were any reason to.

Bollocks can you not change the locks - it's not recommended but it's not illegal. I changed my locks because my landlord kept coming in the flat without notice and would only tell me after the fact and I told him repeatedly not to. He knows I changed the locks and we're on better terms now, it was all a bit tit for tat but my right to NOT have him in the flat trumps his right to entry (except in emergencies, obviously)

@Tizzlebizzle - exactly! Good will works both ways! This is a beautiful flat and I would happily stay here for years if it weren't for this - however now I can't wait to buy as soon as I have saved a deposit, so potentially they could lose what could have been a very long term tenant, and a good one at that! I always pay my rent on time, keep the place nice and help them out here and there in other ways.

Another landlord here. Our agent insists on quarterly inspections too. They've always explained that it's to check not only that the property is being maintained but to give the tenant the chance to discuss any issues and to put things right before they get out of hand. None of our tenants have ever complained about it but if they did, we'd happily change it to less often. Our agent never enters the property if the tenant is out, they will only do the inspections with the tenant present.

@PretABoire - I don't want to put any extra stress into the landlady as she has her sick husband to care for so I can see why she kept them on...