On Sun, 20 Jul 2008 15:55:04 +0100, judith put finger to keyboard and
typed:

On Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:50:07 +0100, Mark Goodge
wrote:

If the landlord (or his agent) sends a workman round to fix something
while you're out without giving notice, then you do have the right to
refuse him access (provided, of course, it's not an emergency). But
many - probably most - tenants are usually happy for things to get
fixed as soon as possible when they need fixing, and often prefer the
work to be done while they're out as it's less disruptive to them.


Do you really believe this. I would never let an unknown person in to
my house on his own; I cannot imagine that any sensible person would
do so either.

If you're a tenant, it's not "your" house, it's the landlord's house.
You're simply paying for the right to occupy it. And people sent round
by the landlord to carry out maintenance may be unknown to you, but
they are not unknown to the landlord or his agent. You don't have the
option of "never" allowing someone unknown to you in the house on his
own, as provided the requisite notice is given you don't have any
right to refuse access.

Given that the landlord has an absolute right to enter the house, or
send someone else round to enter it, provided he gives at least 24
hours notice, it's no big deal to let him do the same with less than
24 hours notice if that's more convenient for both of you. Obviously,
you don't have to offer that convenience, but most tenants are, in my
experience, usually willing to do so when it's in their own interests.

Mark