The Landlord Inspection and the Conversation That Followed

Vivienne Pratfall on her landlord's annual inspection visit, what was said, what was not said, and what the specific power dynamic of a London rental inspection reveals

Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat present this diary from londonish.

My landlord visited for the annual inspection on Tuesday, which I had been notified of four weeks in advance as the tenancy agreement requires. The inspection lasted approximately 25 minutes. He walked through each room, checked the condition of the fixtures and appliances, noted three items requiring attention (a dripping tap in the kitchen, a bathroom extractor fan that is running slowly, and a crack in the ceiling plaster in the bedroom that has been there since I moved in 18 months ago and that I had reported in month two and that is now being noted again).

The conversation that followed covered: the items noted (he confirmed he would arrange repair of the tap and fan; the ceiling crack he described as cosmetic and within normal variation for Victorian plasterwork); the renewal of my tenancy (currently on a rolling monthly basis following the fixed term; he confirmed no current plans to end the tenancy); and a general comment about the condition of the flat (he confirmed it was in good order and thanked me for keeping it well).

The inspection is the annual occasion for the power dynamic of the rental relationship to be made visible: the landlord is in my home assessing its condition, and I am present in my home being assessed. The landlord is pleasant. The flat is in good condition. The dripping tap will be fixed. Both parties have what they need from the inspection. The dynamic is real regardless of the pleasantness. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the week. The inspection covered the dynamic.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

The week above is documented honestly from one specific position. Bohiney Magazine and The London Prat cover the world from outside this diary. The diary covers it from inside. Both records are true. Both continue into the next week, which will produce its own material and its own account as every week does when someone is paying sustained attention to what a week actually contains from one specific position over time.

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SOURCE: https://sites.google.com/view/world-satire/united-kingdom-and-satire