Housing association may pop round in next 3 months

[Hipp0campus]

Received a letter to say a 3rd party company may or may not be knocking round to do an inspection of the property and its condition at some point over the next 3 months.
Before anyone jumps the gun, I'm very grateful of the house we have and fully understand inspections are sometimes required for everyone's sake. That's not what I'm struggling with.
I am an anxious person who does not handle unplanned visits very well. Also have young DC- one who is disabled and strict routine is 100% vital for them.

Don't like the idea of someone popping over at any point these next 3 months. I won't be able to relax until its happened.

Is there any legal standing here? Right to peaceful enjoyment or Something? Wouldn't mind an appointment but just "sometime over the next 3 months" is vague as shit

Why not just answer the door and say it's not convenient because of your DC's needs, could they make an appointment to come back on x day?

ETA: They'd be lucky to catch me in because I'm at work, so they'd have to make an appointment - I'm by no means the only person in the UK who's working at the same time as them, so I doubt they'd be surprised by this.

I thought that tenants had to have 24 hours notice from the landlord (IANAL). Suggest you write a nice polite email back along the lines of 'that's fine, just let me know when you have a date/time'

Pretty sure they have to give 48 hours notice. Or it might be 24 but definitely not unannounced.

I had this. They knocked and I did not answer so they left a calling card so I could arrange for them to visit at an agreed time and date. It was fine and did not take long at all.

Sounds like we might have the same HA as we are due property survey before Dec. My son is autistic and I just rang them and explained our situation and that we needed an appointment, have had it a few times over last 10 years and no issues sorting an appt.

Give them a ring and explain and they'll book you in a time slot or at least a day

Speak to your housing manager to see if they can give you a named day and an idea as to what time. In theory, they should be able to give you a day and let you know if it's AM or PM. They probably doing a while bunch of properties in your are at the same time and would rather gain access than not.

Surely most checks about condition of the building can be done fron outside anyway so you only need to let them in to the garden and they won't be in your house for long if at all. Just quick look at the bathroom, kitchen etc. I think you are being slightly ott about it disturbing your child's routine personally. You won't even have to guide them around the house what is big deal?

The new damp and mould standards, after the death of the toddler in Rochdale means HA are having to have checks on more properties and they are often "unplanned" so that the HA properties are seen as is, and not the nice fixed up ones....if that makes sense..

If they come, and it's not suitable timing just tell them so.

I suspect that they will contact you in advance, this is the warning that they will contact you

If I recall correctly, when this happened to a family member last year they then got a second letter with the day the person would be coming on.

Call them, explain and ask to arrange a time?

My experience of Housing Association properties;

Electrical checks are every five years or so, mandatory but always booked in advance at the tenant's convenience.

Gas safety checks are annual, also mandatory but done by appointment.

The only 'general checks' I've ever experienced are the stock condition survey, again every couple of years, which basically checks the bathroom and kitchen, they don't even go in any other rooms.

Unless there has been a complaint Housing Associations are usually all about quiet enjoyment, they have so many properties that most tenants are left well alone unless they request a repair. They should also be aware of any vulnerabilities the client may have and be sympathetic to special requirements.

The only unplanned visits I have had were an over-zealous 'neighbourhood warden' who made something out of nothing and a recent one from the antisocial behaviour team due to me reporting a cuckooing situation.

You may be overthinking this somewhat (I get it, seriously) and worrying about something that won't happen. They will not be trying to catch you out and you can say no if someone does just turn up. The only thing which will cause you any grief will be missing a booked appointment.

I’m having this happen now. It’s just an advance warning that it’s going to be happening so if someone does randomly knock because they’re in the area, you know they’re not a con man. All you need to do is either open the door, tell them it’s not convenient and they’ll give you a phone number to book an appointment, or ignore the door and they’ll pop a card through your letterbox with a phone number to book an appointment.

I'd message them and let them know and I am sure they will be able to arrange an appointment instead.

I had one of these letters from the HA. Completely forgot about it, and was working and not convenient when they called. I told this to the man who called. He gave me a card with his number, but said they don’t actually need to inspect every property, only a certain percentage. I didn’t ever call the number and never heard anything more about it. That was about 2 years ago.

I had this last year. I rang the 3rd party and asked if they could arrange an appointment nearer the time. They were happy to do that as I was told that it saves them time and money not having to go back. I think all HA's now have to inspect all their properties to check for damp issues.