I want to obtain access to my property - tenants are leaving in less than one month and are bein

Tenancy Types and Management

I want to obtain access to my property. The tenants' (husband and wife)tenancy expires on 12th October and was a twelve month assured shorthold.

The reasons for my wanting to visit are twofold 1) to inspect as they say that there is a build up of condensation 2) to show a housing officer inspector/and possibly gas inspector around so that they can assess whether the property would be of interest to a housing association and for the gas inspector to renew the gas safety certificate that expires in the next month.

I wanted to visit last week but the tenants refused despite my having giving two days notice. I then e-mailed and texted that I wanted to visit this Wednesday at 10 Oclock or this Friday afternoon. The Insepctor cannot do an evening.

The wife tenant initially agreed, and telephoned the current letting agent to confirm their acceptance. Husband then telephoned the letting agent saying that he was OK to have an Inspector provided that it was limited to this and that no potential tenants visited whilst he or his wife was not there. Fair enough I thought, as agent said that they will do evenings and weekends for tenants.

Husband has now texted me to say that NO ONE is to enter the property without HIM being there, and that he works during the day etc.

So, 1) Can I visit with the Inspector this Wednesday or Friday , this is the second time that I have requested it, no other days are reasonable and I need to have the property inspected so that it might be let to new tenants.

2) If they continue to refuse can I simply attend with the Inspector (and perhaps a further witness)

3) Does a text message or e-mail constitute "written notice" and is it relevant to my situation.

Many thanks