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What is Property inspection?
Last verified 31 October 2026
A property inspection is a visit by a landlord or agent to check the condition of a let home and spot repairs. It is not a right to walk in: the tenant must be given notice and the visit must be at a reasonable time.
Why it matters to landlords
Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 lets the landlord, or someone authorised in writing, view the condition of the property at reasonable times on 24 hours' written notice to the occupier. GOV.UK says landlords must give at least 24 hours' notice, visit at a sensible hour, and that tenants are expected to allow access for inspections or repairs.
Use inspections to find small problems before they become claims: damp, leaks, alarms not working, gas appliances you were not told about. Keep a short written note of the date, who attended, what you saw, and photographs. GOV.UK sets no fixed frequency, so choose a sensible one and say so in the tenancy agreement. Repeated or intrusive visits can feel like harassment, which is an offence under the Protection from Eviction Act, so keep visits purposeful and proportionate. Share the note with the tenant when it records a repair.
Example
Grace inspects her Newcastle flat on 15 April 2027 after giving written notice on 12 April. She notes a loose bath seal and a smoke alarm showing low battery, takes photos, and emails the tenant a two-line summary. The seal is fixed on 20 April.