Does a house need to be inspected before it can be inhabited?

[PenelopePitstops]

long story short we are renting a new house through estate agents.

signed sealed etc on 8th of a month and got a phone call saying we couldn't move in until 20th due to a building inspection by the council. Landlord now disputing this saying the property was avaliable from the 1st. We have a second contract from the 20th, but can the date of the building inspection prove the house was inhabitable until then?

I think a new build house would have to be inspected by buildings control before occupation and perhaps even handover to the landlord from developer may not occur until then. You'd also need a gas certificate and electrical inspection before your agreement starts.

thanks lizs, not sure we have either of those, will check ASAP.

the electrics on the middle floor are very dodgy!

I have a friend who's moving into a house which has been empty for about 9 months. They've been told they can't move in until it's been inspected and signed off by an electrician - the electricity company won't reconnect power until it's been done. Don't know whether it's something similar?

thats interesting daisy, will definately be finding out about electrical inspections.