Who else gets stressed about letting agent inspections - am sure it's not just me

[QED]

Got my latest inspection on Monday - they happen about every 3 months and I always get fairly stressed about them. This one's letter came with an extra paragraph telling me they may take photos - usually done if they need to report problems to the landlord but also where a property is being neglected. It also says "We would ask that properties are cleaned and tidied before inspections are carried out so they are presented at their best". Makes me feel as if I am trying to sell the house to them or something like that. Am slightly wondering whether I ought to tidy the bookshelves more (they have a lived in look) but am settling for a more general tidy and clean (and DCs have done excellent tidying in their rooms). Is at times like these I wish I still owned a house....

You have inspections every 3 months? That sounds like they are not letting you have quiet enjoyment of the property. I would refuse to let them come round. And as for the request to have it clean and tidy... tell them they can stick it...

But then I'm a LL who hasn't bothered checking our flat for about 2 years. The tenants email or phone if there's a problem that needs fixing.

This doesn't sound right to me. We rented for four years recently, through an agency on behalf of a rather picky landlord. Our inspections were only every six months, and the agency staff kept reassuring me(because yes, I did angst about the inspections and spend a lot of time cleaning and tidying beforehand), that they were not there to inspect my cleanliness or tidyness standards (unless they affected the fabric of the house), they were only there to spot damage/problems with the house. On one occasion, the letter notifying me of an inspection didn't arrive, so on the appointed day I wasn't home and so they let themselves in with their own key (they are allowed to do this) . The house was a particular tip that day but they never said a word, it had no negative repercussions.

After one inspection, the letter I get afterwards said I should remember everywhere should always be clean and tidy including the kitchen and bathroom. Felt very tbh. Wasn't that long after XH had left and although I had made an effort it wasn't enough.

Inspections are about every three months - last one was early December so has been nearly 4 months this time. I have got a few things I want to raise re things not quite working properly but always feel bad about mentioning them, which I know is daft but am always aware that I could always not have tenancy renewed (and in the past couple of years there have been a few things like cooker breaking down and needing to have new one fitted, shower not working and new one needed, fence blowing down).

But it will be all be over for the next few months in a couple of days time and at least it has meant the DC tidied their rooms today

the inspections are for a quick look to make sure there is no weed farm to see for exessive tear and wear and to look for any problems.
I don't make an extra effort, tbh. the agent has a quick look in each room and is out in less then 5 minutes.

I know I am being a bit over anxious, but having had a "you are not keeping things clean enough" letter once before and then this extra paragraph about photos and needing to clean and tidy it has slightly increased the nerves. They are never here very long and I do hide away all evidence of weed farm.

Gosh they sound really demanding. My agents just whip round and like others I was out once and had left the house in a state. No problem.

I think the clean and tidy thing in the letter is standard bumf that they put in I wouldn't worry!
I would think that the photos are a new standard practice too. For all it always seems that LLs are always walking all over tenants, the law is very difficult and if they need to evict you they need all kinds of evidence - so I can see agencys taking photographs as standard for everyone on every inspection, then if they have a problem tenant they have something to go on. Its not a reflection on you! (If they do for one they have to do for all).

I'm a private LL and never hardly ever inspect, only go down when I'm needed. I have new tenants moving in soon and I think I will inspect every now and then few years, but to be honest I couldn't give a rats about how clean it is, theres very little that can't be cleaned in the kitchen and bathroom and if the carpets and walls were filthy beyond repair then they get replaced. Lifes too short. Don't worry about needing things fixed either, you pay for this!!

We had our first since moving in the other week. Our agent wants to do them every 3 months as well after having forgotten about us for 2+ years, which I feel is absolutely excessive, and am not planning to be amenable about (I may suddenly have to work late or cancel every time until they're once every 6 months...).

It is stressful being inspected, it's like having your mum checking you've tidied your room properly. However, I think the letter more clumsily (and rudely) worded than an actual threat or casting an aspersion against how you keep the property.

That said, "We would ask that properties are cleaned and tidied before inspections are carried out so they are presented at their best." They would ask? What is preventing them, I'm genuinely curious.

From the responses above, it's heartening to know that private LLs are more understanding and reasonable.

I had mine on Wednesday, I've been shiiting a brick since December as DCs have torn off the hallway paper and drawn all over the landing and two bedrooms. I haven't had the money a chance to paper again but she walked in, walked straight past the damage, noticed one wall and exclaimed "oh little buggers" I was very and she just shrugged and said "well you've got kids, what can you do?" I am still gobsmacked faint with relief

Btw you never know that letter is probably aimed at someone else entirely, take heart from my EA who said as long as I pay the rent on time, what more do they want!!!!

We rent via the MoD, so have never been inspected. My family home is rented out and inspected every three months, but the tenants don't always mention if there is a problem and sometimes this results in an emergency, so having the inspections done means I am top of what needs fixing (if anything) for them and can budget accordingly. I am abroad, so the letting agent doing this helps. I am untidy, so don't give a damn if the house is a mess as long as the fabric of the house is OK.

It also pre-empts any possible problems, and gives the letting agent time to agree with the tenants when work will be done. Soffits and guttering have to be done soon, so knowing when would be a good time for them will help.

They have no right to tell you how clean and tidy you should keep your home - cheeky sods. As long as you are not actually damaging the property (unlikely) its none of their business. Legally the condition of the place when you move out is all that matters.

And inspections ever 3 months is a bit excessive. They sound like clueless bullies as the majority of letting agents are, unfortunately.

Maybe you should take it up with them? Trouble is, as you probably know, they can always not renew your contract, or if you are outside a fixed term, give you 2 months notice, for any reason they like.

I agree, the tidyness is really none of their business.

We had a letter after an inspection which told us that our flat was too cluttered and that we needed to clean the oven more often!

No mention of the mould that they refused to do anything about because the problem was the drain from the flat above or that the land lady hadn't paid the mortgage for 2 months (she was seriously in debt and refused to change her address so we got all their mail).

We left as soon as the 12 months were up.

'And inspections ever 3 months is a bit excessive. They sound like clueless bullies as the majority of letting agents are, unfortunately.' See the post above yours as to why they are useful! I'd rather have my house inspected every three months, so any problems can be sorted quickly, than have it all go wrong and then the tenant (as he has done) scream blue murder to get something fixed fast, when he hasn't bothered to mention there's a problem.

I still think every 3 months is bit excessive, scaryteacher. Maybe your tenants are OK with this but I wouldn't like it myself.

However hopefully your agents are not bullying your tenants regarding tidiness, as the OP's letting agency are. You say you are (rightly) not bothered about it, but are your agents reflecting this?

Problem is, my tenants are elderly and don't always let the Letting Agent know when there is a problem, so it's easier to make sure the question is asked sooner rather than later. Quarterly inspections also mean that we can make sure they are OK, as they have various health problems as well, but no family close.

My Letting Agent is not a bully, but like a charming but strict headmistress. When I go to see the house once a year during one of the inspections (and I always take a kilo of chocs for the tenants), they apologise for the untidiness, and my stock reply is that it is much tidier than when I lived there, so not to worry. My Letting Agent comments to me after an inspection sometimes that it wasn't tidy, and I say the same to her, and that she'd have had a hissy fit had she seen it when I was there.

Had the inspection yesterday and was OK - letting agent did mention lawn needing mowing (this is true), that cobwebs needed to be removed (probably also true) and that the upstairs toilet needed to have some stuff put down it re limescale. Was fine with being told these verbally, but getting the letter today with all of them mentioned did make me feel a bit as if I were being told off by my mum and dad. But anyway I will get out the feather duster, lawnmower and deal with the limescale :)

And letting agent speaking to landlord about the non-working dishwasher and problems with downstairs toilet. I do bring up maintenance things as they happen but if there is an inspection due I tend to wait until then.

She did have The Camera with her, but it wasn't used, so I presume I wasn't too bad. And she nearly forgot to take it away with her (when I pointed it out, she sounded like it was a new thing, so I suppose it is the latest part in the battle against Bad Tenants).

I wouldn't ever complain about inspections every 3 months by the way - it's what it said in the contract and tbh they are generally less often. Plus I generally get about a week's notice. There was one time when I came home to find a workman in the house when I hadn't been told one was coming which I was a little about but did mention that to the letting agent who said that shouldn't have happened. And generally if there are workmen they will get in touch with me separately and organise a time that's all right for me (or get a key from the letting agent, but I do know when they are coming)

My Letting Agent phoned me today having done the inspection and picked up 2 small plumbing faults that need fixing; some guttering has come off and needs replacing, and checked on the health and wellbeing of my tenants whilst having a cuppa with them, as we have been worried about them. Sorted. That's what inspections are for, not checking on the dusting.

We have inspections every 3 months, and they're very strict. The latest one says the place is clean and tidy but we need to remove a few cobwebs. It feels like we have to live in a show house they're so picky. I always dread the inspections, but we're moving out at the end of the tenancy so only a couple more to go. Our tenancy agreement states that the property must be kept reasonably clean and tidy, so as far as I can see we're doing what we're supposed to do. ps we can only find a few cobwebs, really small ones in hard to reach areas.

Jesus! I've rented for the entirety of my adult life and have only ever been inspected every couple of years or so. I do make an extra effort when cleaning that week, but if I had to put up with being told how to keep MY house (possession is nine tenths and all that) whilst living in it then I'd have to tell them to bugger off, or find somewhere else! you rent a home, YOUR home until you fail to pay rent or give notice, they have no right to tell you off like this surely?

I totally agree. I've been renting since I left home at 19 (I'm now 43) and never before have I known such a picky landlord, or 3 monthly inspections come to that. It's always been every 6 months or so in the past (and one landlord who didn't even do them after I'd lived there a couple of years).

Here's to our moving date - can't wait.

I was so stressed with the inspection looming - I've never had one before, and had no idea what to expect. I am STILL stressed - it's been about one hour, pictures of literally every inch of everything, and also opening cupboards & drawers, and personal spaces - I really cleaned and tidied, but with three kids, I don't know what they expect. SO stressed. Who knows - I didn't expect this much in depth stuff. Should I start packing now and show myself to the curb? lol! Scary stuff.

Take a chill pill. They're just coming to check that you're not keeping a herd of alpacas and haven't kicked holes in every wall. It's usually a condition of landlord's insurance that this is done. They don't care if the surfaces have an inch of dirt or if your lounge has a 3 ft high pile of dirty washing in it.

Honestly, it'll be okay.

Every 3 months... fuck that.

Yes I get incredibly stressed, I suffer migraines and crippling fatigue and like my quite dark room away from others. I also have 3 autistic family members (2 of who stress and struggle round others) so we see our house as our sanctuary. Having people in it is insanely stressful, luckily its only once a year for us (well twice if you include the gas check) but even that is too much.

People who say just get over it must be very privileged to not have disabilities and take such ablest attitudes. Yes, telling an autistic person to magically get over their anxiety (which has physical effects, they have ended up in A&E due to blood pressure and heart palpitations as a result of the anxiety) of having a complete stranger trespass and invade their private space is just oh so easy.

Also we have been forced to move our furniture etc... before because they didn't like the 'layout', we are still getting grief now as the landlord 'doesn't like anything against the walls' but also 'doesn't like furniture in the middle of the room' (so where the fuck is it suppose to go???) they can be absolute twats that play off peoples vulnerabilities.

Luckily now a day I stand up to them but landlord can properly take the piss.

If someone have an inch of dirt on your surfaces you would be ordered to clean and failure to comply would result in eviction proceedings.