Banning photographs

[Recycledblonde]

We rent our house currently, have been here for two years of a three year contract with no problems. Every six months the managing agent comes to do an inspection and has previously taken photos of every room. I've become increasing uncomfortable with this, when I asked at the last inspection who had access to the pictures it seemed like everyone at the letting agency could look at them.

Am I within my rights to refuse permission for photos, I'm happy to send my own photos to the landlady as I have her mobile, I just don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry being able to peer at pictures of my bedroom and bathroom.

We were in our previous rented property for seven years and the letting agent never took any pictures.

YABU

It’s a new added service for the landlord, the agents are Charing for the inspections and putting photographs in is part of that - they need to be seen as doing something for their money

I would refuse. They shouldn't be taking photos of your home. It's creepy.

You can refuse, I did the last time we rented and they didn't push it. I agree that it's intrusive and unnecessary.

The agents don’t seem terribly trustworthy. We have discovered that they tell trades people to add an extra 10% to their bill. They then get the tradesperson to pay the 10% back to them once the landlord has paid. That’s in addition to the charge they make for organising repairs.
Thankfully we’ll be buying at the end of this contract so don’t have to keep them sweet.

Landlord are free to get other quotes from different trades people even if it’s a managed property

I refused. I asked her if she would like it ! I said I was happy for her to inspect and photograph any areas of concern (there weren't any) but it's my home and I didn't want them taking pictures.

I will be telling the landlord. I’ve told her I don’t want pictures but will send her my own if she wants them. They’re very reasonable landlords so far.

When we rented I refused. This is your home, your privacy.

Perhaps ask how their data management complied with GDPR requirements considering it’s personally identifiable information. How do they control access? What are the data used for? What is their retention period?

I suspect a very quiet reply.

I would just politely refuse - it's a complete invasion of privacy and very wrong.

I would even go as far as calling their bluff and threatening to leave if they insist.

We have a tenant paying £1,350 a month for a one bedroom flat in the South East, with a month's rent as deposit. I assume, comparatively you are similar.

While he is paying us it is absolutely his flat to do exactly what he wants with, within reason. I would never in a million years demand to inspect it every six months ffs!

I wouldn't go with an agency - they are universally dodgy IME. Have you thought of moving and trying OpenRent? I've had nothing but lovely tenants through them.

We pay £2250 a month! It’s a 3 bed detached house with a three year contract and I think we’re good tenants. We’ve rented since 2005 for various reasons and the only issue we’ve had is finding somewhere that will allow two dogs. Fortunately we’ll be in a position to buy at the end of this year which will be lovely.