Covid and house maintenance viewings tenancy

[Laughingcrow]

Hi
So not sure if iabu or not.

I rent. Have done so for nearly 6 years with 3 monthly inspections from an estate agent. Rent is always paid on time. We look after the property and pay a lot to stay here but we are happy here for the school. The landlord also visits once a year and tends to outstay his welcome but we don't want to cause a stink as it's just once a year.

Now covid restrictions are easing up they want to do their inspections again. I had to cancel two as my kids had symptoms and obviously had to be careful. Tested and negative.

Now the thing is I don't really want these inspections as we have been here a long time and always report if any issues or something is broken etc. I reluctantly agreed and she said well you have to. She then sent me a follow up email stating that by accepting their checks if we catch covid we can't hold them liable.... This put my back up a bit!

Can I refuse them now? And arrange it for when things are in a better place with COVID-19? No one is vulnerable in this house but 3 weeks in to school one child has missed a week due to a cold. And the school not happy about it. And another child missed 2 days whilst we waited for results. I don't really want to risk them getting something and missing out on more colds or the estate agents having something and being contacted by track and trace and again more school missed!

Aibu?

Forgot to add. I did offer to video the house in detail and send it but they said no the landlord won't be happy with this

Well, it's tricky.

You are under no obligation to allow inspections. You could refuse.

But they could respond by deciding they will give you notice. And then you'll need to find another home or go through being evicted, which isn't a great idea.

They sound like officious dicks to me, and I'm sorry about it. But the bottom line is that, although you can't be forced to allow inspections, the cards are really in their hands, because they can kick you out.

You have the right to refuse entry for inspections, as a PP says they could issue you a Section 21 notice to leave but they would have to give you six months notice.

In the interests of good relations could you renegotiate the inspections? Three mo they is ridiculous when you've been there six years, especially in the current situation when you may not want strangers in your home, you could try haggle them down to six monthly or even yearly?

Unfortunately the landlord is very anal about his house. So looks like I will have to suck it up. He is worried about damage we caused but to be honest the repairs he does do are at a very cheap standard. A few issues haven't been resolved but as we know he is quite precious we have never caused drama. Ok thanks guys will suck it up!

Every 3 months is horrible. I'd say once every 6 months and that's it.

Of course as PP said, they could serve notice but would they do you think if you've been there for 6 years and always pay on time and take care of the house? I wouldn't as a LL.

Yes every three months and the landlord comes once a year and stays a few hours! Never felt able to say no as the location is important to us and not many rented houses in the area. It's the having to have it presentable at these times. I have about 3 days notice so not too bad. it doesn't help they are friends with my neighbours opposite so I feel we are always being watched! But I'm sure that's not the case.

I wouldn't mind if it was twice a year but they want to come at awkward timesm often in the week. They avoid the weekend like a plague! But because i work from home they think this is ok and anytime is ok or they choose 5 o clock which is dinner time after school so trying to stop the kids making a mess is not easy as the landlord told the estate agents he wants it to stay like a show home it's all our own furniture bar two cheap IKEA book cases...

Going forwards you should tell them they come at your convenience or not at all, it's really unprofessional of them to do what they're doing.

Maybe I'm not assertive enough? We have always had 3 monthly or 4 monthly inspections in previous properties. Is this not normal?

Stays for hours? Doing what? That's absolutely bizarre

Checking the gutters and he has a chat for about an hour. Hangs around outside the front door talking to neighbours. Most are elderly and are home most of the time.

You dont have to agree to it. Goid luck to them finding tenants who pay their rent on time and agree to quarterly inspections if they give you notice. Zoom should be sufficient if you agree to it given the Covid risks.

His best was 4 hours. But as it's once a year we just let him get on with it. He's harmless but I don't see the need for the 3 monthly ones when he comes once a year and does a thorough check of everything! The estate agent literally a runs around and says ok and doesn't pay that much attention so it seems even more pointless

We had checks every three months when we rented and tried to get it down to every six months. I can understand for the first year but by then they should see that you’re looking after the place ok. The excuse of the agent was that our landlord had a portfolio of properties and paid the agent as a ‘package’ for all properties, so wanted to keep it all consistent. But it was an absolute PITA, and tbh I think it invades the ‘quiet enjoyment of your home’ when so frequent.

3 monthly inspections are taking the right piss IMO. Especially now you’ve been there 6 years, surely he knows you’re not going to turn it into a crack den now?

Landlord sounds like a nightmare & I couldn’t live like it!

It is a pita. I was hoping to have had a mortgage by now but a few things went wrong in our life and now we are stuck renting and it would takes us about 10 years to save a deposit on a house. And it's unlikely we will as we will have to move eventually as I can see them moving back in a few years so will need a deposit again. It's just a horrible way to live. I feel for all renters as it just doesn't feel stable and costs more than owning your own home!

I think it's outrageous. Would it not be worth speaking to the landlord? If you've been good tenants I would be inclined to speak to him and point out that you have been tenants for 6 years and that 3 monthly inspections felt excessive and were impacting on your rights to a peaceful life. Ask him if there was anything that was concerning him and leading him to believe these were necessary?

I could but it would increase his paranoia I think. I want ideally another 4 years here so will just accept it I think. After my kids are all in the same primary school I won't mind moving but it's the moving and then having kids in different primary schools to start at the same time as most schools are oversubscribed here

We have only just got onto the property ladder. Like you, life didn't go the way we planned, and we rented for years. I still can't believe it's mine to do with as I please - little things like actually choosing to have laminate instead of carpets, or having different decor than Magnolia. You will get there OP, and will appreciate it all the more once you do. Took us years.

Thank you! I am determined!