Bugger. Can't find the inventory

[SmileAndNod]

Can I ask for a copy? We're due to move out soon. Also am I allowed to ask for copies of the 3 monthly inspection reports? We were never given these but I'm wondering if they could be used in case of dispute?
Tagging @specialsubject as a sensible LL

Is it an Agent or the ll?

Yes you can ask for a copy of the inventory, but LL is under no obligation to give it to you (although most would Id have thought).

I dont give my tenants copies of the insection reports, unless there is something specific to discuss with them ie new damage they may have caused. Again, you could ask for them. Also keep copies of any correspondence about issues you raised, or landlord discussed with you.

Make sure everything is clean, garden neat and all rubbish removed
and generally with a decent landlord there should be no issue and youll be refunded in full.

You can certainly ask! We asked one time when we were half way through cleaning, then discovered we already made it better than originally!

How kind :-)

I see no reason not to ask or not to have it given to you.

As others say - take all your stuff out, read and photo the meters, leave it as you found it less wear and tear.

Did they not email it to you?

Hadn't thought of looking in my emails - I'll check !

No not there
Feeling really unsettled now that house is back on market. Why they couldn't have waited a few more weeks until we'd left I don't know.

Why they couldn't have waited a few more weeks until we'd left I don't know.

Voids between tenants are very costly; so LL ideally needs to find a new tenant before you leave. Despite what people think profits arent great, so a months loss of rent, another months rent for the Agents fees, a few maintenance issues which an empty property throws up and that can be the annual profit gone.

You dont have to allow viewings but if youve had a good relationship with your LL I think its fair (at your convenience).

Leases almost always allow viewings in the final month of a tenancy.

It is often in the tenants interest to keep the place clean and tidy for viewings, and hope that the first person who views loves it.

@Needmoresleep irrespective of what is in the lease, tenants have the common law right to the quiet enjoyment of a property they pay rent for the exclusive use of. Tenants are therefore well within their rights to decline any viewings, any photography, etc taking place whilst they still have a valid tenancy.

While it would be more money and less work to have one tenant move in as the previous one leaves, I find it isn't practical. (Especially after getting a wrecker - had to be evicted in the end and viewings were an obvious non starter). Even with a normal tenant you don't know that they are leaving.

This does mean two months void as new tenants need to give a months notice - so I want tenants that plan to stay a while. Minimum year tenancy with a break at six months.

It also means I can get the place properly cleaned and checked over. The business plan was done on this basis. That's why it doesn't return the silly percentages that the papers would have you believe.

You learn something new every day. Don't tell my tenants that!

That said I work very hard to stay on good terms with my tenants, especially at the end of a tenancy. I try to persuade current tenants to allow early viewings, as those looking early are often more organised and know what they are looking for. I also try to price competitively (though who knows what is competitive in Central London any more, there a lot of desperate landlords around). And read the riot act out to the agents about pre-selecting people to ensure that they only do viewings with motivated, people who will reference. Not that it does any good. Commission hungry negotiators will try to get anyone in. Plus agents seem increasingly nervous of being seen to discriminate. Mine were recently spotted by neighbours giving two viewings to a large migrant family, even though HMO rules would have meant that I would not have been able to let to them.

I make sure goodwill earned by tenants during viewings is repaid when it comes to checkout.

You may have missed the bit - the LL is selling up so new tenants not coming in.

We do have the allow viewings clause in our contract. However as we didn't know the house was up for sale until we saw it on RM (no one thought to tell us) and we were told photos were for 'floor plans' I don't feel inclined to help out with the tidying etc. Also I feel that as we're still paying rent we really should be left in peace as much as possible

@needmoresleep how is it in the tenants interest to keep the house tidy for viewings?
Just wondering what would happen if they didn't!

Nothing!!
Your landlords are nuts.

Thats not on. Although maybe the Agents rather than LLs fault?

If you do decide to allow viewings, you certainly dont have to clean or tidy for them.

Smile, I manage properties myself and try to stay on good terms with tenants. If everything is amicable and the property is in good order I am prepared to skip the check out, something that is often a tenant expense, and if they are happy with the quote from my (trusted) cleaner, they give me the money and I get it done after they have gone.

If they keep the property looking nice for viewings (and say nice things about the property and me) the property gets let quicker, which means they are not disturbed too much. (Though the London market is so odd at the moment nothing can be promised.)

I usually get on with my tenants. As in any business relationship it makes sense to. Your landlords sound like plonkers.

Ps to the OP, any clauses about paying for cleaners and allowing viewings are irrelevant, the law overrides some tenancy agreement of course.
We've have clauses almost every house saying we need a profession clean with receipts on exit, and we've never done it. One even said we have to have the windows professionally cleaned every 6 weeks! All of that is unenforceable, all it can say is it has to be completely clean on exit (and that applies regardless of whether it's listed in the terms) and it's up to you how you do it.

Having said all that I feel personally it would have been unreasonable for me to not allowed viewings, given in my circumstances it wouldn't actually be an inconvenience or bothered me at all. However in your case if it does bother you then go ahead and decline. Or ask for a reduction perhaps.