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.

This is a baffling thread.

A house that might be messier than usual isn't grounds for the landlord to be an arsehole.

Who hasn't had times in their life where things get on top of them a little?

There's a certain amount of wear and tear on a rental property that landlords can't claim back from tenants because it's accepted that the house will, shock horror, have been lived in.

If OP has time it's probably worth making sure the bathrooms are clean and the worst of the clutter is out the way, but if they're coming in looking for issues then they'll probably find something either way.

Have they definitely protected your deposit? They're on dodgy ground if not.

@Myfabby ah of course, you're one of 'those' landlords. Showing yourself up now 👋🏻

I'm sorry you've had such nasty comments aimed at you Op. MN loves to hate on renters for some odd reason.

@Houseplanter yes I do realise- I had my own property for years and I am 50! But if I give you less than a week's notice can I come and make sure your oven is spotless. Make sure you have taken the glass out the door and cleaned all of that. And the rest of the house too. Absolutely no mess or dust or water marks as that is what this means. I'm not being snarky but I think it's a bit unrealistic - you don't get much notice and there are times in life where this stuff slips a bit. And renting is very insecure so it can put you on edge a bit.

Can you make sure when you sell up and leave that it looks like nobody has ever lived in your house?

Yes the last property I was in would get inspected every 3 months and I remember the snooty woman who would say “You still havent cleaned the oven”. I’m sorry were you planning on using my oven love? I’ll clean it when I leave not when you tell me

Believe it or not I was trying to give a balanced view of why tenants feel like it's stacked against them and having a show home on little notice can be tricky. but I am met with eye rolls! Ha! So rude. (- and pretty immature).

No it doesn’t and I don’t need help it is you that has missed the point.

The inspection information that you posted on this thread did not even hint at show home standards. It set out exactly what would be looked at and why and was entirely reasonable. And yes I still don’t know why you find it difficult to understand why somebody would want to ensure that their asset is protected.

It doesn’t what?

It is the tenant’s home. Whose home do you think it is if not the tenant’s?

It may be your home, as in that's where you live. But the property is not yours, and consequently the owner of the property has a right to know their assets are being maintained as you would expect of a responsible home owner

No one is saying normal wear and tear isn't acceptable.

What's the problem with that?

Yes it is my home - but the LL can ASK for inspections I have no obligation to let him into my home and it is NO LL’s business if the house is messy

Perhaps my standards are too high? That list actually goes on and on. Further down it talks about making sure the whole house is hoovered for the inspection. That's not protecting an asset really is it? To have all the jobs done to a 'high standard' all at the same time is quite hard for a lot of busy people. I would never neglect or damage a persons house. I treat like it's my own. And yet I still find inspections something I have to set a chunk of time aside for and they don't often fall at a convenient time to get it all done.

I mean I am disabled, a carer for dp who has brain damage, i work full time, I have teen dc, ageing parents and sometimes in the evening I like to sit down and watch the telly.

This thread was not about damaging or neglecting the property- it was about mess and hoovering. It's a shame that needs pointing out.

'This thread was not about damaging or neglecting the property- it was about mess and hoovering. It's a shame that needs pointing out.'

True. But if a tenant can't keep on top of hoovering and wiping the bath, would it not lead you to believe it's unlikely such things as limescale and dust in extractors are dealt with?

The problem with this in a rented house is, is it your oven? As in, did you pay for it? Neglecting to clean an oven can cause it to break, it can also cause the seal to break which can damage surrounding cupboards. In a home you own with an oven you paid for, absolutely, leave it scruffy if you want to, your choice. But when you are temporarily paying to live in someone else’s property, and therefore are only the temporary user of that oven, it’s not as easy as “I’ll clean it when I want to not when you say”. My friend ended up getting stung for this, was all very “you don’t get to tell me what to do”- she lost the attitude sharpish when the oven broke and she ended up responsible for a new one.

Actually I think the OPs landlord has said normal wear and tear is not acceptable (the scuff in the hallway).

Another thing on the list. All the washing up must be done. No dishes on the side. If I hadn't done my breakfast things, am I damaging the property?

Maybe it's just me. I don't think inspections are unreasonable. As I say my landlord is great. I just think that some people who are not renting don't really get it.

Why do you think I can’t keep on top of dusting and hoovering?

@Houseplanter in my experience it doesn't mean that - not for me anyway. I am fastidious about my oven and the toilet. I take them apart to clean properly. (I changed the toilet seat to one of those that comes off and obviously I have kept the old stained one in the cellar). I really hate putting laundry away. Clothes in general you will find in any room of my house. I am also less good at keeping taps clean.

Anyway I was trying to offer a view but I made it worse! Never mind. Back to work!

Do you need references or is new place sorted? If so, I wouldn't worry about it- if not, I would give it a quick once over

Yes but when it’s been 3 months since the last (professional - I don’t clean it myself after misusing Oven Pride once!) clean and only a tiny bit of encrusted stuff at the bottom and a slightly brown glass pane, they can bugger off.

I didn't say dusting, but you said upthread your hall is unhoovered.

You also said your bath and shower needed cleaning, and mentioned the kids bedrooms were untidy and the oven was filthy

If I were your landlord I would want to gain access asap aswell, he has a right to be suspicious of tennants who continually cancel inspections, I would be very suspicious, no wonder he is lying about the rainwater issue, put yourself in his shoes.

It appears that you have know for a long time that he has wanted to gain access, why didn’t you tidy up before now.

None of that is property damage.

It’s still my home and I have a right to peaceful enjoyment.

Would you also harass and threaten your tenants and expect them to let you pop round whenever you fancied?

Also @BlueGrey1 RTFT I said why I didn’t tidy up

I suspect there is more to this story, when I was younger I rented and always allowed access for inspections, it’s quite suspicious that you are trying to deny him access, if I were him I would be very worried for my property and the state that it is possibly in.

Can you not understand that,

You sound like a difficult tenant

Meanwhile there is a thread about people being too cold and comfy under a blanket to tidy up! Do they not realise the terrible damage being caused to the property by such behaviour?!!! (My turn to be immature).