During a tenancy, a landlord will need to visit the property to inspect it and make repairs. Even though the landlord is the owner, their rights to the property are limited.
Joe contacted Landlord Advice because he was having trouble getting access to the property that he rented out. He needed to view the property and complete repairs. He had made advance arrangements with the tenant many times. But the tenant always cancelled the visit at the last minute.
Joe wanted to know where he stood regarding his obligation to complete repairs if he couldn't gain access to the property. He indicated that the tenancy was going well on the whole, and was reluctant to issue a notice to quit.
Your rights to enter the property
Our adviser explained that while tenants have a right to privacy within their homes, they must not unreasonably withhold access to the property. She advised him to check the tenancy agreement. This should clearly state when a landlord can enter the property. She also reminded Joe that he must not enter the property without the tenant's permission unless there was a genuine emergency. To do so could be considered harassment.
We suggested that Joe contact the tenant again to agree on a suitable date and time to access the property. He should also remind the tenant that, according to the contract, they must allow access for repairs. Refusing this without good reason could break the agreement.
Should this not resolve the matter, we advised him on alternative options to pursue. These included a referral to our housing mediation service for a dispute resolution process and further options, such as legal action to gain access to the property.
Help and support for landlords
Landlord Advice is a free, confidential service for private landlords and letting agents in Northern Ireland.
Landlord Advice provides information and advice to:
- residential landlords
- estate and letting agents
- people thinking of becoming a landlord
Our advisers are available from 9:30am to 2:30pm Monday to Friday.