Tenancy inspection today - can they say anything about a messy house?

[YorkshirePuddingBelongs]

I have a tenancy inspection this afternoon - my landlord is a nasty prick, his DD is doing the inspection. It’s a long story but he’s been awful, sending me harassing emails, making threats and breaking the Tenancy Fees Act as well as his part of the tenancy agreement. I move next month, thank god, but he’s 100% out to get me - and I think he has likely briefed his DD to look for problems.

There is no damage in the house bar a scuff or 2 on the walls (it’s an old house with tiny narrow staircases and this was from carrying the bed up - he’s seen them before and said it’s fine it always gets scuffed). But we’ve been going through some stuff and I haven’t had time to spring clean line I always do. I have a horrible feeling she will comment on the mess. It’s mostly things like the bathtub and shower needs a clean, the kids’ rooms need a hoover etc. but I KNOW they will be looking for problems because they’ve heavily hinted at it, sending me messages about “if there’s damage you haven’t reported you will be liable for the costs” etc.

Honestly, just cancel. Who cares what he thinks? He doesn't have to like it and you'll be gone soon. I wouldn't give it another thought.

If they complain about the state of the place then ask what that has to do with the rain/flooding.

i wouldn't let any of it bother you, you're leaving in a month. You've said you're going to do a deep clean. So do that & let the deposit scheme deal with the deductions. He'll probably not be granted anything.

i hope the situation with DH works out for the best whichever way that is. DD will adjust x

Don't worry Op. Sounds like they are bastards who would find fault in a pristine brand new show home. Be prepared for them to withhold your deposit when you leave as that's what scum like them do...I'm speaking from bitter experience. Hope you are treated much better and are happier in your new place.

Well I have it in my ammo that they’ve lied about next door being concerned about rain so I will use it if I have to!
Seriously considering cancelling - I can’t be arsed with them.

I never gave a shit about mess. I cared about damage and maintenance issues

But I'm not your landlord

If you're worried enough to post on mn, I don't know why you didn't cancel it or take an hour or two to clean and tidy

Oh I fully expect it!
Thank god for the tenancy deposit schemes

@Aquamarine1029 its not on to deny a LL access to their property when there are concerns about things like heavy rainfall. If there is rainwater in the loft, a month could do serious damage.

even if it's highly unlikely & just an excuse to see what condition the place is in, you can hardly blame him for wanting to know what needs to be done before a new tenant moves in.

it shouldn't be a big deal to have an inspection done if you look after the place anyway.

The rain water thing is just BS, he just doesn’t like that I’m denying him access. The loft is as dry as a bone - I’d know, it’s where my bedroom is!

I think it’s ‘not on’ to harras and threaten tenants and then bully them into a pointless inspection it that’s just me

I meant when they move out

The landlord is lying about the rain issue and he can see what needs to be done for the next tenant after the op leaves.

It won’t be dirty when I move out.

If I had a tenant who had refused inspections and had already mentioned scuffs to the walls I'd be very keen to have a look before you left.

I'm not a landlord and never will be btw

This

I’m. At. Work

Presumably you weren’t at work yesterday. How long does it take to clean a bath?

Anyway, you still have the right to decline his visit.

RTFT - I’ve explained why I prioritised my DD’s MH over cleaning a bath

I had a shower this morning and cleaned what I could while my conditioner was soaked in but it’s not show-home standard or leaving-for-another-tenant standard

I don't see why a bit of mess is a problem. Do the landlords' own houses never get messy, or need a bit of a clean?

@Tiredbehyondbelief The landlords are meant to completely refurbish the property every 5 years.

Where did you hear this?? I am a landlord and I have never heard of this?? do you mean renew bathrooms and kitchens every 5 years???? dont know any normal person who would do this!

I mean, couldn't you pop the child in the tub and clean the bathroom while she plays in the water, that sort of thing? Let her "help" you hoover?

My mum had us cleaning/tidying as toddlers. She made a game of it and we enjoyed it.

If he has form for being difficult then he may well, but as long as you leave it clean and in the same condition as documented then at least you will get your deposit back.

Unless it's so messy and cluttered that it's causing damp/mould against walls and in cupboards. At least you won't have to put up with him for much longer either way!

Wiping a bath takes 2 minutes. If you were concerned you could have done it easily when she was asleep. I’m not sure what the purpose of this thread was if people are just going to say ‘yes actually the landlord probably won’t be happy’ for you to then snipe back? People are only answering your OP.

It’s a bit late now so I would probably cancel the inspection and say it’s no longer convenient.

Hope you get sorted and that your daughter is feeling a bit brighter soon!

You aren't in the West Midlands are you? I had a vile harrasing landlord and he sent his daughter round to do things sometimes. I just got chills remembering how anxious he would make me 😓

But I'm not sure they can say much about mess, mess isn't damage as long as it's not violating any health and safety issues.

When you do leave it’s very important to take photos of everything? Every sink, taps, toilet, windows, floors, cupboards inside and out, outside space etc. I was burned once by a lying LL and after that was meticulous about taking thorough photo evidence.

Cancel it. Honestly, he has no rights if you refuse the inspection, as it falls under quiet enjoyment of the property. Tell him that he can wait until you move out. He can email you all he wants, doesn't mean you have to respond.

Don't deep clean before you leave. Just leave it looking like a shit hole. You won't get your deposit back anyway.