Renting: weird property check

[Katiekitty]

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!

Could you change a lock so you know he can't get in? keep the original so that you can put it back when you give up the tenancy. I wouldn't sleep if I thought he could walk into my house.

You are entirely within your rights to not feel threatened by an inspector!

Bear in mind the agency through whom you rent almost certainly employ a third party to perform periodic inspections.

In your position I would write to the agency quoting what you've told us here. You're not 'causing trouble', you are alerting them to the fact one of their employees, (either directly or indirectly, via a third party) is harassing you and that you won't put up with it.

State that you thought periodic inspection were merely for the purposes of checking for damage and misuse, (include a photo of the hob!). Ask for confirmation that this inspector doesn't hold a key (this will also alert them to the fact you are implying that a legal breach may have taken place).

It would be my feeling that the agency will realise that you are not to be trifled with and perhaps treat you with a little more respect. A nasty sexual-harassment case is NOT what they'll want to deal with! Also, if you have written you will have a leg to stand on IF you feel there is any suggestion of unfair eviction in the future.

It so annoys me how in this day and age there's still this feeling that tenants should feel grateful for the privilege of being allowed to live in someone else's house. It's a straight business arrangement: I live in the house, you take the equivalent in cold hard cash. Deal.

ampere - I have this with my letting agent. They seem to think that I should be grateful for being allowed to live in my house and are so condescending it is unbelievable. This is despite the fact I pay a fortune in rent for a house that is pretty much falling down and hasnt been properly decorated since before the war!.

OP - I have been renting for years and never once has any agent looked through my drawers and cupboards.

One even told me that he could tell I must have been cleaning for hours before he came and that I shouldnt put myself through any trouble as his job was only to check I wasnt "graffitying walls or putting holes in doors".

I would definately complain - he has invaded your right to privacy if nothing else. I would be concerned about the comments regarding your appearance/smell.

I doubt very much you will be the only female who is feeling uncomfortable with him so dont look at it as though you are making trouble, rather making sure he isnt carrying on like this with anyone else - it is complete unacceptable.

If you have a dp, brother, or male friend, I would have them present at the next inspection and see if he still acts the same.

His behaviour was totally unacceptable and I would think rather threatening (in a sexual preditor sort of way). I would certainly call his boss on this - I would have felt very unsafe and would explain that. He said you looked pritty, smelled nice and then asked about your underwear??? totally out of line.

At uni, my nextdoor neighbor had her handiman in for some plumbing repairs -- he was always finding one reason or another to have to visit the house with 6 lovely young ladies living in it. Anyway, he called up one day because he had left his mobile there and they serached and searched for it - finally ended up finding it in the arm chair in her bedroom underneath her pile of clean laundry which just happened to be all her frillies busted.