AIBU

[Charl60]

I’ve been living in my current rented property for 6 months. The agents have just sent me an email saying they will be coming to do an inspection next week and that due to COVID they require me to be out when they visit. I look after the property well, have absolutely no issues with them coming to inspect it at all, but I am feeling a little uneasy about a stranger entering and wondering around my home taking pictures of all my things when I’m not in. I have no idea who is coming, it just says a ‘member of staff’. Are they DBS checked?!
Am I overthinking and being unreasonable?! Is this normal and would I be seen as being uncooperative if I voiced my concerns?

Sounds bollocks. I'd say no way to not being there while they are snouting about. People are making up all sorts of crap and using covid as an excuse.
Tell them you want proof of a negative LFT test in the past 24 hours before anyone from the agents are crossing your threshold, tell them that's your policy, see how they like it. Just say you're CEV. They can't prove you're not.

I had someone in my home today to look at a faulty appliance.

I've had the odd workman in even at the height if the pandemic when needed. Just had a piano tuner too.

All within the rules.

It's rubbish - had all sorts of tradesmen here and no issues - they had a mask on.

I’d say I was willing to wear and mask and open the windows and that I required them to wear a mask too but that I wouldn’t be vacating.

Thanks all, this was my thinking too. When I came to view the property in December 2020 (covid cases rising) I looked around the property together with the estate agent and whilst the tenant was in the house! I had a plumper in just last week to fix a pipe issue in the kitchen, and I was here the whole time. I understand they need to check on the property and I am completely ok with that. But it is my possessions that are in the property, not the landlords! And to demand I am not here when they come just doesn’t feel right

Just take a lateral flow test beforehand - free to order and turn up quicker than amazon prime

To be honest, I’d be happy to sit in the garden! (Weather permitting) as it’s not even a big house!

We rent and had the lady from the agents here the other day to see the mould in our bathroom and she was quite happy for us both to be here while she was here. We've also recently had carpets laid and a painter in.

Thanks, I do 2 lateral flow tests per week for work, so that wouldn’t be a problem.

We had an inspection a couple of months ago. Both me and DP were home. We were asked to stand away a bit but he had a mask on and we just left him to look around but he asked if he could go upstairs etc and we were happy to leave him to it. It only took a few minutes and all he did was say some things into a dictaphone and take pictures of anything that needed it. We were told we weren't required to be there and if we weren't to make a note of any concerns but we were kind of expected to be there iyswim

I would at least go in the garden. They are not allowed to insist you leave I don't think. We've also had workmen come and a washing machine repair man (our machine). All fine. Just asked beforehand if we were isolating etc

Sit in the garden! It’ll be fine. I’m not sure why they’d need a DSB check though?

@Myusernameisnotmyusernameno

We had an inspection a couple of months ago. Both me and DP were home. We were asked to stand away a bit but he had a mask on and we just left him to look around but he asked if he could go upstairs etc and we were happy to leave him to it. It only took a few minutes and all he did was say some things into a dictaphone and take pictures of anything that needed it. We were told we weren't required to be there and if we weren't to make a note of any concerns but we were kind of expected to be there iyswim

This all sounds reasonable. This is what I thought the protocol would be, as in we will be coming on this day, if you can’t be there we will let ourselves in. But I’ve been explicitly told I can’t be here.

We have had boiler service, sky engineer, electrician and they just say ventilate, keep distance, wear a mask and stay in another room or garden if possible.

Why are you concerned if they have had a DBS check?

@user1473878824

Sit in the garden! It’ll be fine. I’m not sure why they’d need a DSB check though?

I think I will! The DBS check is the criminal record check. As in, have they checked their employees to make sure they don’t have a criminal record, especially if they have access to people homes whilst they’re not there.

@Nicknacky

Why are you concerned if they have had a DBS check?

Because if someone was going to let themselves in to your home whilst you weren’t there, and go into every room and take pictures, would you not want to make sure they didn’t have a criminal record?

Inspection as in the 6 monthly rental ones? I had mine I was able to stay inside I just wore a face mask. Mind you I did go ballistic with the estate agents when they went inside flat whilst I was at work one time. I'd somehow mixed up the date of the inspection and the date it was that day and thought the inspection was the following day. They phoned me and told me they'd been in and done it using the spare key. Told them I wasn't happy about it plus I had some things that needed sorting. Did mean I had to have another one a week later though. I had to postpone my first one because I was in hospital after having a miscarriage. Again they said they'd just go in via the spare key but I told them no I wanted to be there. That was more of the bathroom floor and toilet hadn't been cleaned and it was a total bloodbath in there. My first one though she just came in said she'd forgotten her stabby thing to test the fire alarm so I had to give a wooden spoon. Tested that stood in the hallway and asked me what the neighbours were like and did I like living there and that was it off she went. The other 2 were a bit more nosey. Makes mental note to self not to leave granny knickers drying in the airing cupboard on day of next inspection

Because if someone was going to let themselves in to your home whilst you weren’t there, and go into every room and take pictures, would you not want to make sure they didn’t have a criminal record?

I would want to be there.

The lack of criminal record is not really a guarantee is it

I had mine recently, I had the option to be there or not, it was my choice. It’s crap they’re trying to insist on you not being there.

I would reply and say you’re happy to have the inspection but only if you can be present (with masks, open windows etc). Otherwise you could offer to send photos or do a video call showing them whatever they need to see (one of my friends had a video inspection recently, so some places are doing it).

@HopingForOurRainbowBaby

Inspection as in the 6 monthly rental ones? I had mine I was able to stay inside I just wore a face mask. Mind you I did go ballistic with the estate agents when they went inside flat whilst I was at work one time. I'd somehow mixed up the date of the inspection and the date it was that day and thought the inspection was the following day. They phoned me and told me they'd been in and done it using the spare key. Told them I wasn't happy about it plus I had some things that needed sorting. Did mean I had to have another one a week later though. I had to postpone my first one because I was in hospital after having a miscarriage. Again they said they'd just go in via the spare key but I told them no I wanted to be there. That was more of the bathroom floor and toilet hadn't been cleaned and it was a total bloodbath in there. My first one though she just came in said she'd forgotten her stabby thing to test the fire alarm so I had to give a wooden spoon. Tested that stood in the hallway and asked me what the neighbours were like and did I like living there and that was it off she went. The other 2 were a bit more nosey. Makes mental note to self not to leave granny knickers drying in the airing cupboard on day of next inspection

Yes the 6 monthly rental inspection. Sorry to hear you had to deal with that when going through a difficult time! Haha, I think we’d all have at least one embarrassing thing if we had an unexpected inspection of our home!

But I’ve been explicitly told I can’t be here.

They can not demand that. This is your home and they legally can't make you leave for a simple inspection. They are full of shit and you should refuse.

@khakiandcoral

Because if someone was going to let themselves in to your home whilst you weren’t there, and go into every room and take pictures, would you not want to make sure they didn’t have a criminal record?

I would want to be there.

The lack of criminal record is not really a guarantee is it

It’s not a guarantee at all, you’re right.

I've also had tradespeople in during the lockdowns.

Apart from at my mothers which is a huge long room I’ve been in another room. The most recent at mine because I had to be near for questions I sat on the stairs.

No issues at all for me or the tradesperson.

@MadeOfStarStuff

I had mine recently, I had the option to be there or not, it was my choice. It’s crap they’re trying to insist on you not being there.

I would reply and say you’re happy to have the inspection but only if you can be present (with masks, open windows etc). Otherwise you could offer to send photos or do a video call showing them whatever they need to see (one of my friends had a video inspection recently, so some places are doing it).

I think it’s the demand that I not be there that has made me feel so uneasy. And my initial thought was, is that even allowed?! Thanks for the advice :-)