Would you have let them in?

[maybebaby2012]

Probably, but I can be a bit wussy in situations with 'authority' type figures though. I would have been mortified though.

[Arimeh]

Probably, but I can be a bit wussy in situations with 'authority' type figures though. I would have been mortified though.

haha yeah I'm glad I didn't open the door! DH is 6 foot 7 though so most people are pretty intimidated when they first meet him - especially if they are on the short side like I am!

[Mummy&Daddy2Be]

no way! i wouldn't have let them in. i think your DH did the right thing! i would be leaving them ASAP though...!

[briggsy's girl]

Given the way you've been treated in the past, no way!

They my well have sent a letter a fortnight ago but given you said you hadn't received it they should have accepted that and made an appointment for a few days time.



We had a letter from our RE not show up one time re an inspection. The house was in ok state so we let them in. But they have since sent our letters registered if coming to the house rather than PO box. For security for both of us.

Good on your DH for stopping them entering.

[~clover~]

Nope. They have to legally give 7 days notice in writing for ANY inspections, allowing time for post on top of that 7 days. Its the same in NSW to WA, so I assume it would be the same around Aus.

Pretty sure that minimum time allowed between inspections is 3 months too.

I have been asked the lawn to be mowed at one property I was in. It was untidy, I was 6 months pregnant, ex was working away & we didn't own a mower. We paid someone to do it. I was sent a letter in writing though, not a text.

[RhiChiChi]

No, I wouldn 't have let them in, particularly since you didn't receive the notice. They sound unprofessional, particularly in their dealings with you. I'm not sure about the drive by - they may have been in the area and noticed the garden was unkempt, however they could have called you for a chat about it & given you the benefit of the doubt. If it became a regular occurence then they could have cause for concern.

I have never rented and don't own a rental property, however I would expect the gardens to be tidy/maintained, if it was in the agreement.

I understand with kids or not that a place can be messy & I would assume (or hope) that that is not part of the inspection - I'd be more concered about holes in walls, marked carpets etc....

I live alot differently to some of my friends and family - what I deem as tidy and even clean is probably not to some of my friends & certainly not to my sister (she is a clean freak!) and vice cersa, Some of my friends only clean their skirting boards once a month or even less, whereas I do mine weekly to fortnightly......

I'd check the agreement and find out what actually needs to be done/adhered to for renting the property and for inspections going forward so there is no misunderstanding for next time and also what your rights are as a tenant to let them in to inspect.

Sounds like a lot of RE agents are coping flack from vendors about the state of properties.

Whilst I agree that a paying tenant is probably preferred, I'd be mortified if the property was left in disarray and I had to fix the property so it could be tenanted again. This happened to my old boss - they had well paying tenants but when they vacated there were holes in the walls, doors taken off the hinges and it cost him a bucket load to repair, which wasn't covered by the bond.

[Miss_Dee]

I probably would have let them in, but I can be a bit of a pushover. Good on your DH for not letting them in!

[Cass72]

You are well within your rights to refuse them. I do not let people come into my home without being given adequate notice.

However, if they were friendly agents I probably would have if I knew they would turn a blind eye to the mess (there's a big difference to an untidy home to a dirty home). Our home is often untidy but I know that it's "clean" underneath the washing, toys and school books!

With regards to the maintenance of the front garden, I think you'll find this on your lease. It is the responsibility of the tenant to maintain the upkeep of the property, ie, mowing the lawns and weeding the garden. Some tenancy agreements will cover additional items but, as I say, this should be on your lease. If you don't have a copy, you can request an additional one.

[Arimeh]

With regards to the maintenance of the front garden, I think you'll find this on your lease. It is the responsibility of the tenant to maintain the upkeep of the property, ie, mowing the lawns and weeding the garden. Some tenancy agreements will cover additional items but, as I say, this should be on your lease. If you don't have a copy, you can request an additional one.

Hmm I'll have to try and find it..... It probably says reasonable state or something, and my reasonable state is probably a lot different to their reasonable state LOL!!!!

[Mummy&Daddy2Be]

my reasonable state is probably a lot different to their reasonable state LOL!!!!

i'm the same with our garden! hilarious

[Rowellen]

No way! My DH would have threatened to call the police if they didn't leave too. Good on your DH for not letting them in. After the experiences we've had with some not so friendly rental agents, my attitude is stuff em. Know your rights and stick to it. We had them turn up without notice once. Unfortunately we weren't home to not let them in. Not happy campers here. I tell anyone who asks never to rent through that agency (as tenant or landlord) if they can avoid it.

I'd also be rather concerned about the structural integrity of the house given the response in point 4. Unfortunately I think it is within their rights to say no to that one without giving a reason. The reason they gave is rather stupid IMO.

[teresa]

i wouldnt have let them in!

as far as the garden is concerned, we have rented our house out and I would hope the tenants are looking after the garden and lawn and doing the weeding. i know our property manager spoke to them about the state of the garden at their last inspection. it is part of the tenants responsibility to upkeep the gardens and lawns.

[sushee]

As a landlord I would expect the garden to be maintained in the state I rented the house in. My tenant's lease runs for a year and I don't expect it to be overgrown between inspections, if you know what I mean. I think to me, it shows a general lack of care towards my investment.

And I probably would have said no to a boxing thingo hanging from the roof as well. My tenants put up cafe blinds in the patio without my knowldege and I can't say that I'm pleased that once they leave, I'll have the holes left in the wood from where they attached the blinds. I have asked that they restore it to the way they found it once they vacate.

This is in part because, should they move on, I want to make sure the house is in a state that means I will find new tenants, or I will be able to sell it, while making as few repairs to it as possible. I think it's fair to say no to modifications to a house that you own. If it were something that made no material change to my house, I wouldn't have a problem. I have given them permission to have a dog, as I had one myself when I lived there, as long as they make sure that any damage to the gardens or outdoor area is fixed.

On the last issue, if they didn't call you, and you didn't get the notice for the inspection, they must reschedule. End of story. While the landlord has rights, so do you, and that's one of yours.