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Original poster

Renting: weird property check

29 replies

Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 19:26

I rent, I had a quarterly but more like six monthly check by the agency. NO problem them coming round.

However, the man who did it did this - is it normal?

Said I looked nice
Said I smelt nice
Said he HAD to look in all my drawers and cupboards
Said my hob was filthy and had to write down exactly what he saw - it had a bit of tomato on it - and he added that he knew I worked full time so may not have had time to clean it up propery (quote)
Asked what was in a set of boxes (agent provocateur labeled - um, it's underwear)
Repeated at least six times that I didn't need to be there in the next check

Opinions please!

OP posts:
Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 19:31

JUst noticed I've posted this under property/diy - maybe it's better off somewhere else!

ANy suggestions? I haven't got a clue with this one

ta

OP posts:
hellymelly · 01/02/2010 19:36

Why on earth was he looking in your drawers and asking what was in your boxes? Does it contravene your lease to ,say,trade from home or whatever? Seems quite odd to me but it is decades since I Rented through an agency,don't think they ever came round.
would be annoyed at a slightly used hob being called "filthy" !!!!! Are you supposed to not eat if they are coming round? ( he should have seen my hob this morning...)Can you ask the agency if they need to look through your drawers (ooh er missus) ??

RoyaltyIsMyOnlyDelusion · 01/02/2010 19:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Rhian82 · 01/02/2010 19:40

Sounds weird to me. They should be checking you're not damaging the property - what's in drawers and cupboards is absolutely no business of theirs. Neither is the state of the hob, really - it's not permanent damage and as long as it's clean when you leave, how clean you choose to have it in the meantime is entirely your business.

FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 01/02/2010 19:41

Not normal and the reason he doesn't want you there next time is so he can fun with your frillies.

Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 19:42

Seriously, I thought I was getting a check to see if I was breeding lizards, or having a lodger.
not to have what I got - really, and tell me here, is this check ok?
I'm worried flagging it up with the agents in case they think I'm causing trouble..

It's been about three weeks and it's staying with me..

Odd - is it?

Thank you for your replies too

OP posts:
Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 19:43

Fab - no one has fun with my frillies unless it's me!

OP posts:
BigBadMummy · 01/02/2010 19:46

er no.

I do this for a living and that is a gross invasion of privacy and I would be calling his boss.

We do not look in drawers
We do not look in the fridge
We do not look in boxes
We do not itemise the muck on a hob
We do not inspect the tenant!!!!

The object of the check, as you know, is to make sure you are looking after the property and report the same back to the landlord.

On the hob I would say "would benefit from a wipe" -- if anything

Contents of drawers etc are of no relevance because they will not be there when you move out.

I don't list toys all over floors / piles of washing up / mountains of ironing if I can see beyond and that the property is being essentially well looked after.

That would creep me out and I would write to the agent advising them of what happened today and insist that he does not carry out any more visits on your property. You want a colleague to do it.

NorbertDentressangle · 01/02/2010 19:50

That is not at all right.

Last time I rented was about 15 years ago but a 6 month check then involved in them just wandering into each room and glancing around for visible signs of damage/mistreatment.

If you had a problem to report or if anything looked damaged (and only then) they would investigate further (eg. open/close damaged cupboard door, move furniture to check something).

I would speak to the agency

Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 19:54

BBM - thank you.

It happened a week or so ago, but has been bugging me.

I don't want to cause trouble but it's on my mind about what happened.

When he homed in on the hob, he wrote down in detail about how it was dirty and I said I hadn't got any stainless steel cleaner in, he said he had to make note of of its dirty state. Really, it wasn't dirty.

Will I sound weird if I comment on the inspection?

I felt really uncomfortable when he started with the personal comments and when he started opening my kitchen drawers (chaotic!)

OP posts:
Chillohippi · 01/02/2010 19:56

I would be seriously concerned. There is no way that he needs to look in cupboards, drawers on boxes.
It would have been bugging me too. I think you should speak to the company.

Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 19:56

norbert - oh, how I love your name!

Yes - I have done no damage to walls, floors, anything. I just wonder what was with the comments?

(shudder)

What'll happen if I report them to the agency?

OP posts:
Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 19:58

Chill - I hear you. I think I am going to make that call tomorrow..

(fear of being booted out of house if causes trouble)

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 01/02/2010 20:01

you won't sound weird if you complain...chances are you won't be the first person.

Insist this man doesn't do the inspection again, and if he really has to, you want someone else from the agency to escort him. It'll be easier for the agency just to send someone else.

NorbertDentressangle · 01/02/2010 20:05

Thanks Katie .

You could always phone the agency and ask to speak to someone in charge (presumably that won't be the guy who did the inspection) and ask for them to clarify what an inspection should involve as you were a bit taken aback.

This should lead on to you getting the opportunity to explain about drawers etc being checked and how you were left feeling unhappy/embarrassed/uncomfortable/whatever.

Depending on the responses of the person you're talking to you can then either leave it at that (if you think that they will deal with it) or take it further

Flightattendant · 01/02/2010 20:05

Oh my Good lord! what a perv! How many times did he get the word 'dirty' into the conversation?

He needs recording by the next tenant to be 'inspected' but how you arrange this I have no idea.

Go into the office, and ask to speak to a femal member of staff and tell ehr in confidence what he did. She will think it is hysterical but also take it extremely seriously. I doubt you will be the only person to complain.

What a chancer though!

Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 20:14

Oh god! I'm going to have to talk to them about it!

I feel vindicated in doing this though and thank you everyone for saying this isn't normal - I will do the deed and will report back right here...

thank you again

OP posts:
BigBadMummy · 01/02/2010 20:14

He is not allowed to report that something is "dirty". It is subjective. Hence my "would benefit from a wipe".

He is seriously out of order.

And dont worry about being thrown out for making trouble. It is not up to the agent whether or not you get thrown out. It is down to your landlord and I am sure he would also be concerned that an agent he has appointed is treating his tenant in this manner.

Flightattendant · 01/02/2010 20:16

Sexual harrassment springs to mind actually. You could take this further, bear it in mind. Not that you should need to...make sure they apologise to you and get shot though, you don't want him going in your house again, whether you are there or not - he shouldn't be trusted wwith keys at all.

Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 20:21

Shit! keys!

(why didn't I BUY a hose when property was cheap)

please ignore that last comment..

I will speak with the agency tomorrow though, it's been playing on my mind for a reason and you have all made it clear - thank you, I knew I wasn't imagining it all, he actually said he HAD to look in all drawers and cupboards...

OP posts:
Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 20:22

'hose'? why buy a hose?

buy a hoUse!

probably where I've been going wrong all these years...

anyone need any hose?

OP posts:
Flightattendant · 01/02/2010 20:25

Hmmm. Hose you say? would that be stockings or tights?

Don't freak out, he will have keys removed swiftly once they realise what he is up to!

Flightattendant · 01/02/2010 20:25

sorry that prob made no sense, hose being german for, erm, legwear...!

Original poster
Katiekitty · 01/02/2010 20:43

he he!

OP posts:
goldenpeach · 02/02/2010 00:57

Sounds like a pervert and fetishist to me.