landlord visit after two weeks

Is it normal for a Landlord to want to 'drop' by the property after, two weeks of renting?

i think its very soon, but Im not sure if this is considered normal or not

Rubberchikken

i've no experience with landlords but i don't see why a property owner wouldn't just wat to check to see if new tenants are doing ok.
sometimes issues arise in the first couple of weeks and maybe they'd like to iron any out sooner rather than later.

CIARAN_BOYLE

Jake1 wrote: »

Is it normal for a Landlord to want to 'drop' by the property after, two weeks of renting?

i think its very soon, but Im not sure if this is considered normal or not

Some landlords are over controlling and will want to get in every two weeks while others feel that an early inspection nips any issues in the bud. It's either one or the other and I can't tell you which.

Mrs OBumble

Have you got a snag list ready for the LL?

mickmac76

As the above posters said he might just want to ensure everything is going ok. After that I would think a visit every six months or so is plenty, anything over would be invasive.

Mrs OBumble

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Have you got a snag list ready for the LL?

I do, as it happens, but just one or two things. Condensation being one of them

But, Im hoping this is just a ''Hi, hope you are settling in'', kind of visit

mickmac76

mickmac76 wrote: »

As the above posters said he might just want to ensure everything is going ok. After that I would think a visit every six months or so is plenty, anything over would be invasive.

Thanks, I just wasnt sure. last landlords, never came by.

CIARAN_BOYLE

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Some landlords are over controlling and will want to get in every two weeks while others feel that an early inspection nips any issues in the bud. It's either one or the other and I can't tell you which.

Bloody hell, nice as they are, I would hate if they called by every two weeks :eek:

Mrs OBumble

Jake1 wrote: »

But, Im hoping this is just a ''Hi, hope you are settling in'', kind of visit

S/he's given you the required notice and agreed a mutually suitable time? That's a good sign for it being an initial inspection.

You could set the agenda for the future by asking them if they intend to do future inspections quarterly or six-monthly? (Kinda like asking a kid if they want peas or beans for dinner .. limit the choices to acceptable answers!).

FWIW, my professional property managers recommend an inspection at one month and then quarterly: six monthly isn't enough for them to feel on top of the place. It's a little tedious for the tenant - but not that bad because if the place is being looked after the inspection is very quick.

Mrs OBumble

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

S/he's given you the required notice and agreed a mutually suitable time? That's a good sign for it being an initial inspection.

You could set the agenda for the future by asking them if they intend to do future inspections quarterly or six-monthly? (Kinda like asking a kid if they want peas or beans for dinner .. limit the choices to acceptable answers!).

FWIW, my professional property managers recommend an inspection at one month and then quarterly: six monthly isn't enough for them to feel on top of the place. It's a little tedious for the tenant - but not that bad because if the place is being looked after the inspection is very quick.

Thanks Mrs o' Bumble.
I dont mind them coming every month. The house is always spotless, so no worries there.
Garden, the same, mind you its quite muddy now, but thats from previous people. We put down some new grass seeds today in back garden. But you can tell, that already we have been tending to it .

They have also engaged the services of an agent. I think I would just have a problem if we had to deal, with LL AND the Agent, coming every month. I would find that stressful probably, dealing with two sets of visitors .

But hopefully this is just a ''once off, snaglist/howya doing'' type of thing

El_Duderino 09

Mrs OBumble wrote:

You could set the agenda for the future by asking them if they intend to do future inspections quarterly or six-monthly? (Kinda like asking a kid if they want peas or beans for dinner .. limit the choices to acceptable answers!).

This is exactly what I was thinking.

Mrs OBumble wrote:

FWIW, my professional property managers recommend an inspection at one month and then quarterly: six monthly isn't enough for them to feel on top of the place. It's a little tedious for the tenant - but not that bad because if the place is being looked after the inspection is very quick.

As a tenant 3 months is a bit if a pain in the whole, but if I were a landlord, I'd consider 6 months way too long. So I appreciate it needs to be done. Just gave the place clean and tidy, freshly aired and smelling good when they arrive. That way you can put their mind at ease that you're taking care of their investment and limit the chance of them thinking they need to call by regularly.

Then 3/6 monthly inspections should be accep

El_Duderino 09

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

This is exactly what I was thinking.



As a tenant 3 months is a bit if a pain in the whole, but if I were a landlord, I'd consider 6 months way too long. So I appreciate it needs to be done. Just gave the place clean and tidy, freshly aired and smelling good when they arrive. That way you can put their mind at ease that you're taking care of their investment and limit the chance of them thinking they need to call by regularly.

Then 3/6 monthly inspections should be accep

Im always scrubbing El Dudeerino Floors get washed at least three times a day maybe. Im a bit OCD, when it comes to cleaning, much to the annoyance of my family.
So I know they will be happy with the standard in which I keep the place.

I agree, that if I were a LL, I would want to inspect property as often as three months.
Ive watched a few shows, some called ''Council tenants'' and ''Cant pay, we'll take it away,'' and the condition people leave properties in is heartbreaking for the owners You can see the shock when they get their keys back. Pure filth and destruction some of them.
:(

percy212

I think any of those options is invasive. No need for them to come around at all. Maybe once a year.

4ensic15

The RTB expect landlords to inspect every three months. If the landlord does not inspect and the re is a worsening problem which the tenant does not report, the RTB will hold the landlord responsible.

4ensic15

4ensic15 wrote: »

The RTB expect landlords to inspect every three months. If the landlord does not inspect and the re is a worsening problem which the tenant does not report, the RTB will hold the landlord responsible.

I think I will just flat out ask them when they come by. See what the plan is, for visits in the future. Will it be them or the agents dropping by.

newacc2015

percy212 wrote: »

I think any of those options is invasive. No need for them to come around at all. Maybe once a year.

I totally disagree. I know someone who had tenants move in one September and they moved out the following May. When they moved out, the landlord discovered every wall that was facing the exterior was completely covered in mould. Im talking from floor to ceiling was black. The tenants moved the dryer in the hall and the dryer was pumping out warm damp air into the house for over 9 months. This was worsened by the fact they rarely had the heating on.

That could have been nipped in the bud at a quarterly inspection. IMO the only reason why tenants dont like their landlord calling around is the fact they have to clean the place for once

newacc2015

newacc2015 wrote: »

I totally disagree. I know someone who had tenants move in one September and they moved out the following May. When they moved out, the landlord discovered every wall that was facing the exterior was completely covered in mould. Im talking from floor to ceiling was black. The tenants moved the dryer in the hall and the dryer was pumping out warm damp air into the house for over 9 months. This was worsened by the fact they rarely had the heating on.

That could have been nipped in the bud at a quarterly inspection. IMO the only reason why tenants dont like their landlord calling around is the fact they have to clean the place for once

I dont have a problem with the LL calling. I was just surprised. it was so soon after moving in. That is all.
When we got the email request from them, we offered for them to come by immediately, but they declined. Said another day would suit them better. Having to clean up immediately, wasnt a problem for us, as we keep the house clean, for ourselves to live in, not just to please LL.


Disgraceful how your friends property was left. Spoils it for everyone, that nasty behaviour.

El_Duderino 09

Jake1 wrote:

Im always scrubbing El Dudeerino Floors get washed at least three times a day maybe. Im a bit OCD, when it comes to cleaning, much to the annoyance of my family. So I know they will be happy with the standard in which I keep the place.

You sound like you'll have the cleaning covered! Thre are 2 likely possibilities. They either want to get a feel for the person living in their house so they can put their mind at ease that you'll take care if it for them, or they're overbearing and interfering.

As long as you aim to satisfy the first one by being clean and pleasent, then you can push back any unnecessary interference. They probably just want to shake hands and say hello.

I had something similar happen. We moved in through a letting agent and a few months months later the landlord showed up out of the blue. His mother lived in the area so he called by when he was visiting her. We chatted for a coupe of minutes. He didn't arrange the visit so I didn't feel obliged to invite him in and he didn't ask. We did 5 minutes small talk, lots of smiles and pleasentness. He simply wanted to shake hands and look us in the eye. Never saw him again.

Houses are a serious investment. As someone who doesn't have a house yet, I can understand how difficult it would be to have someone live in your house without even knowing anything about them.

Meet with them but don't feel obliged to make a habit of it.

El_Duderino 09

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

You sound like you'll have the cleaning covered! Thre are 2 likely possibilities. They either want to get a feel for the person living in their house so they can put their mind at ease that you'll take care if it for them, or they're overbearing and interfering.

As long as you aim to satisfy the first one by being clean and pleasent, then you can push back any unnecessary interference. They probably just want to shake hands and say hello.

I had something similar happen. We moved in through a letting agent and a few months months later the landlord showed up out of the blue. His mother lived in the area so he called by when he was visiting her. We chatted for a coupe of minutes. He didn't arrange the visit so I didn't feel obliged to invite him in and he didn't ask. We did 5 minutes small talk, lots of smiles and pleasentness. He simply wanted to shake hands and look us in the eye. Never saw him again.

Houses are a serious investment. As someone who doesn't have a house yet, I can understand how difficult it would be to have someone live in your house without even knowing anything about them.

Meet with them but don't feel obliged to make a habit of it.

Thanks El Duderino.
We have met them before and they really are lovely people. I cant really see them as the bothersome nosey overbearing type ( yet , anyway...):p

I do understand, that they maybe just want to have a quick look-see Id probably be curious myself, in their shoes.
Id say, it is just the same as the situation you mentioned with your Landlord.

Samuel T. Cogley

I went in after two weeks, used exactly the terminology Mrs O'B used, please have a snag list ready. How are you getting on etc. Perfectly ready to allow the tenant out of the lease if they'd decided the area wasn't for them or whatever. (Not that I can stop them in the first 6 months as I don't engage in this fixed term ridiculousness).

I don't have an inspection schedule, I pop in for a cuppa if I'm asked to for what ever reason, took an old telly round just before Xmas as it was going spare and I noticed they never put one in, asked a week in advance if it was okay to come over and id they want it.

Why people think there is some agenda other than 'you're giving me a huge pile of cash* each month perhaps I want to make sure you're getting some sort of service for it' is beyond me. And before everyone just assumes I'm strange, I absolutely am, but I'm not unusual among landlords, the majority of which just want the tenants to be happy and the rent to be paid.

*Paid by bank transfer and declared for tax, in case you were wondering.

percy212

Yeah I had a snag list when I moved into my current rental. I made it mostly for my own protection for move out. It was COMPLETELY ignored, as was everything else I reported since then, apart from things which would be considered emergencies such as the washing machine being out of order.

As for a landlord calling every quarter. While it's overbearing, I suppose with 48 hours notice so that I don't have to be there making tea and talking ****e, I could live with it. I would prefer to deal with an agent or mgmt company when it comes to property. I don't want to hear about my landlord's life etc.

Tenants seem to be treated much like dogs in Ireland = "sure they don't know how to keep a house", "they need watching", etc etc. It's very ****ing annoying and indicative of the arseways rental system we have in Ireland.

Samuel T. Cogley

percy212 wrote: »

Yeah I had a snag list when I moved into my current rental. I made it mostly for my own protection for move out. It was COMPLETELY ignored, as was everything else I reported since then, apart from things which would be considered emergencies such as the washing machine being out of order.

As for a landlord calling every quarter. While it's overbearing, I suppose with 48 hours notice so that I don't have to be there making tea and talking ****e, I could live with it. I would prefer to deal with an agent or mgmt company when it comes to property. I don't want to hear about my landlord's life etc.

Tenants seem to be treated much like dogs in Ireland = "sure they don't know how to keep a house", "they need watching", etc etc. It's very ****ing annoying and indicative of the arseways rental system we have in Ireland.

If you read over that you're completely right that there is a lack of respect for tenants in many cases, but do you not see the flip side illustrated by your very own post?

You've absolutely no reason to want to get to know your LL, but had you gone direct you would have been able to judge, rightly or wrongly, how you thought things were going to play out.

percy212

I don't know what you are talking about. Judge what? Did you get me mixed up with the OP?

I haven't illustrated anything about myself. I am a model tenant and my rental looks like a show house which is a great deal cleaner than when I moved in.

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

If you read over that you're completely right that there is a lack of respect for tenants in many cases, but do you not see the flip side illustrated by your very own post?

You've absolutely no reason to want to get to know your LL, but had you gone direct you would have been able to judge, rightly or wrongly, how you thought things were going to play out.

murphaph

percy212 wrote: »

I think any of those options is invasive. No need for them to come around at all. Maybe once a year.

I have tenants whom I visit once a year but it wasn't like that from day one as I didn't know them from Adam. Initially it makes lot of sense to go 2 weeks, 1 month, quarterly, half yearly and then annually, but I don't blame landlords for not going beyond every 6 months. Less than that is a bit much for established tenants IMO but if a landlord has had a property destroyed they may feel very, and understandably different.

Elemonator

Rubberchikken wrote: »

i've no experience with landlords but i don't see why a property owner wouldn't just wat to check to see if new tenants are doing ok.
sometimes issues arise in the first couple of weeks and maybe they'd like to iron any out sooner rather than later.

Exactly this. Not necessarily the OP, but the law office I work in gets calls from tenants looking for compensation on these grounds all the time. I'm nearly always put on the case because its just mundane :pac:

Elemonator

Elemonator wrote: »

Exactly this. Not necessarily the OP, but the law office I work in gets calls from tenants looking for compensation on these grounds all the time. I'm nearly always put on the case because its just mundane :pac:

just to clarify, definetely, NOT the Op
I was ONLY asking was it normal. I was in no way even thinking about compensation or anything last LL never came by, so I was curious. That is all

runawaybishop

murphaph wrote: »

I have tenants whom I visit once a year but it wasn't like that from day one as I didn't know them from Adam. Initially it makes lot of sense to go 2 weeks, 1 month, quarterly, half yearly and then annually, but I don't blame landlords for not going beyond every 6 months. Less than that is a bit much for established tenants IMO but if a landlord has had a property destroyed they may feel very, and understandably different.

If you leave it annually and the tenants wreck the place the TRB will favour the tenants as you haven't kept an eye on the property. They consider an inspection every quarter or every 2 months to be what is required.

__Alex__

I doubt your LL will be around every two weeks, OP, probably just sussing you out.

percy212

Very interesting to know that as a tenant with a landlord who ignores all notices of issues, but loves to deduct from deposits.

runawaybishop wrote: »

If you leave it annually and the tenants wreck the place the TRB will favour the tenants as you haven't kept an eye on the property. They consider an inspection every quarter or every 2 months to be what is required.

__Alex__

Speaking of landlord inspections, my husband and I moved into our apartment in May 2014. Our landlord has never carried out an inspection. We saw him the day we moved in, that's it. And he lives in the same city as us. Whilst I'd find monthly ones way too regular, I find this to be the other extreme. Like, we could have wrecked the gaff for all he knows. We haven't of course, but is he not curious to check what state his property is in?

percy212

Are there really that many tenants who wreck a property. Genuine question. I find it hard to believe that long term tenants do not treat a rented house as a home.

runawaybishop wrote: »

If you leave it annually and the tenants wreck the place the TRB will favour the tenants as you haven't kept an eye on the property. They consider an inspection every quarter or every 2 months to be what is required.

Elemonator

Jake1 wrote: »

just to clarify, definetely, NOT the Op
I was ONLY asking was it normal. I was in no way even thinking about compensation or anything last LL never came by, so I was curious. That is all

Sorry if my tone sounds like I am accusing you of so! I was speaking in a general sense. I'm talking about really non issue stuff, last week I had a case from a tenant who wanted compensation because there was a scratch in the ceiling. Came in with all these mostly American laws and only the "landlord has to maintain the property" one was correct. Had to explain to him it wasn't an issue and he was liable for any potential repair as he caused it.

And with reference to your own case OP, I think its normal. All my relatives are landlords and they probably would pop by to see if you are settling in alright, any teething issues, getting to know the area etc. Those types of issues are better off resolved early on.

murphaph

runawaybishop wrote: »

If you leave it annually and the tenants wreck the place the TRB will favour the tenants as you haven't kept an eye on the property. They consider an inspection every quarter or every 2 months to be what is required.

If the tenants wreck the place you'll be chasing shadows going after them for the damages anyway. Been there done that (not damages but over holding in commercial property).

runawaybishop

percy212 wrote: »

Are there really that many tenants who wreck a property. Genuine question. I find it hard to believe that long term tenants do not treat a rented house as a home.

The majority would be grand. Anyone in their right mind would keep an eye on an asset worth that much money though.

crossmolinalad

Mine comes every Friday evening or Saturday morning picking up the rent drinking a cuppa or a beer with us talking about things whats going on in the area and leaving the property within an hour
Have no problems with him have nothing to hide, so he`s welcome

__Alex__

__Alex__ wrote: »

Speaking of landlord inspections, my husband and I moved into our apartment in May 2014. Our landlord has never carried out an inspection. We saw him the day we moved in, that's it. And he lives in the same city as us. Whilst I'd find monthly ones way too regular, I find this to be the other extreme. Like, we could have wrecked the gaff for all he knows. We haven't of course, but is he not curious to check what state his property is in?

I moved into a house about 5 years ago and we signed the lease in the presence of the landlord and he went to photocopy it. Never saw him again.

We moved out 9 months later and my sister moved in. Shes still there, but she has seen him a few times, like the time the ceiling in the spare room caved in.

I hate getting inspections, but I acknowledge that every six months or even every four is necessary to build up trust. Our latest inspection(we are here 4 years) was a case of the agent having a quick look around and witnessing our signatures as we renewed our lease.

aeolian sky

percy212 wrote: »

I think any of those options is invasive. No need for them to come around at all. Maybe once a year.

You wouldn't if you were a landlord. I thought I had good tenants and didn't inspect for a year. They had hurriedly moved out a few days before I called. The apartment that was in pristine condition was now a squat. Flat screen TV smashed bed soiled plumbing broken dishwasher broken sofa ripped microwave and kettle gone and locks broken. Topped off with rotting food in the cupboards and a cleaning bill that ran into many hundreds of euro

percy212

It's not a question of having anything to hide. Why would you have anything to hide. It's a question of privacy and not being hassled on Friday by some long winded blow hard looking for tea and a chat. Rent as cash I presume in your case. Yeah, I know the type.

crossmolinalad wrote: »

Mine comes every Friday evening or Saturday morning picking up the rent drinking a cuppa or a beer with us talking about things whats going on in the area and leaving the property within an hour
Have no problems with him have nothing to hide, so he`s welcome

percy212

Bad luck there David. Landlords must be very lucky to get me. I even get a cleaning service in before I leave a place.

David Clarke wrote: »

You wouldn't if you were a landlord. I thought I had good tenants and didn't inspect for a year. They had hurriedly moved out a few days before I called. The apartment that was in pristine condition was now a squat. Flat screen TV smashed bed soiled plumbing broken dishwasher broken sofa ripped microwave and kettle gone and locks broken. Topped off with rotting food in the cupboards and a cleaning bill that ran into many hundreds of euro

ballyharpat

I had an issue with tenants that have just moved in 3 months, I had advised them open windows frequently to air the house and to prevent mould, showed them how to clean the tumble dryer filters etc. Did the basic introduction into the house.
I left them alone for 3 months and they have always been obliging that I could come in whenever I wanted, just drop them a text and that I had a key, so feel free, it was after all my house. I would prefer them being there so they can let me know if they have any problems etc.
Anyway-the place was wrecked with mould, coal in the utility room, coal dust all over it, grease all over the kitchen cupboards etc.
I got cross, and told them how I felt about the mould and the coal and they had a week to turn it around, as I didn't want to be getting new tenants.

I rang today, to say I was sorry for getting so cross and that I was going to install vents in all the windows.

They said not to worry about it, they had gotten a mould/mildew remover from the hardware store and explained to the guy what the problem was, he ran them through the health issues of a damp house and that it was most likely from never using the extractor fan or opening windows added to the problem of drying clothes indoors on the clothes horse.
The tenant proceeded to tell me that back in January he was off work for the first time for 2 weeks due to a chest infection and it was probably from drying the clothes indoors. He said they left the windows opened for one whole day and cleaned all the mould. the house is already fresher and they are now leaving the utility room and hall windows latched ajar at all times and the bathroom and bedroom windows ajar when at work.

Not only that, they apologised for the state of the kitchen, even though I told them, I'd love if it was kept clean, but really it's none of my business. They have the cupboards cleaned and are doing the coal in the utility room etc Saturday and said I can stop in when ever I want next week.

Had I taken the advice of some people, I would probably have had a very bad relationship with the tenants and most definitely a wrecked house at the end of their tenure.

I have tenants in another property that I initially visited every 3 months for a year, then it was every year-just to check latches/hinges/safety etc.

I do think it's best for everyone to start off on the right foot and these tenants appreciated what I told them and had no idea what was the cause of the issues as they had lived in apartments and with their parents only , prior to this.

Two Irish guys in their mid '40's and at the end of the call were very understanding saying , look, at the end of the day, it's your house, and they know me and know I worked hard for it.

It's called mutual respect.

utmbuilder

you handled it well ballyharpat, and it worked out well. good job

ballyharpat

utmbuilder wrote: »

you handled it well ballyharpat, and it worked out well. good job

Thanks-I had a sleepless night, and I can be hotheaded, so I took my time in reacting, but I think with the way things are, the last thing one wants to do is have a bad relationship with tenants-there are no winners, generally they want a place to live peacefully and be comfortable in. A landlord wants his place to be respected and not have unnecessary overheads and get his rent paid on time with as few headaches as possible.

athtrasna

Mod note

Ballyharpat you had your own thread about your issues, please don't hijack this one

Hi everyone

I just thought I would update you all on what happened.

The LL's called ( its a family ) .

As I mentioned before they are very nice people.

As some of YOU all mentioned, perhaps they just wanted to have a quick check around.

This is exactly all that they wanted. When they came, there were utterly respesctful, waiting at door to be invited in, asking could they go up stairs etc.
The respect they showed was lovely.

They almost acted like it was my home. (as opposed to it being their investment)

I had the place shining, and their eyes lit up practically when they came in. We had all our own belongings out at this point, ornanments, pics etc, so it looks more like a home now, than an almost empty house.

They thanked us for having the place looking so nice and clean and said if we need anything, just to let them or the agent know.

We in turn told them, that we fully intended to keep the house as if it was our own, and would take very good care of it for them. They were very happy

So it was a very successful visit, and I was delighted that they called.

Thank you all for your advice to me .