House inspection during lockdown

[DimidDavilby]

If you are a landlord or tenant would you be expecting routine house inspections to continue under lockdown?

I

Short answer. No

No

I am a clerk and the answer is... it depends!

There is the possibility of the tenants doing the inspection themselves. With many of the Apps there is a standardised form that they fill in, add pictures, sign and they are done.

That works if you are a tenant, agent and landlord that accept that inspections are done for the benefit of everyone.

No, not during actual lockdown. We were due one in April, that was postponed till the next one which was due in July, that was then postponed and we finally had one in October. Our next one is due in January, but I know anyone with our letting agency due to have one now in November have had them cancelled

As long as everything is safe and in good working order and all certificates are up to date then maybe a zoom visit.

Cool thanks everyone, I didn't want to email expecting it to be cancelled in case they think we are presumptuous! Perhaps offering to send photos is the way.

No, but I don't really do them anyway, it's the tenants home. Apart from the mandatory safety checks (boiler etc) I just ask that they let me know if anything needs repairs.

They have been there 4 years though and are great tenants.

If you want to DIY one it should include

Smoke, Heat, CO alarms, are they still in place and do they respond to the test buttons
Meter readings

Exterior: Comments on decor, guttering, garden, fences etc
Interior: Lack(?) of water leaks/damage inside all rooms; any decoration / mainteance issues. Mentions any/all little niggles you may have even if you have already reported them.
State that you have no additional tenants, unauthorised cats, dogs etc and don't smoke in the property

Pictures need only be one or two wide angles per room. Nothing inside cupboards etc. Be kind, show them the inside of the clean hob/oven and shower cubicle.

Any clerk who uses an App to do their reports should be able to send you/the agents a blank report for you to complete. And you never know, they may be pleased that you suggest a DIY version! Depends on your agent/landlord!