Need Advice on Apartment Inspection Request

Hello everyone!

I have a very important question to ask all of you.

First, let me provide some relevant information. We are currently living in Vaud, renting an apartment from a large company. The building is relatively new, only two years old. A few days ago, we had an inspection in our apartment where they checked the windows, doors, ceiling, and kitchen equipment. Everything went fine. A week later, we received an email stating that the technicians would like to schedule an appointment to check the ceilings in our living room and kitchen. The purpose is to prevent any potential water leaks and they also mentioned they would inspect the apartment below ours.

Initially, they told us we could choose the date and time. However, in the end, they only provided one specific day and hour. We explained to them that unfortunately, we will be away for a couple of days and suggested that the technicians could come before we leave (offering three whole days) or after we return. They insisted that we leave the keys at the reception of another building they own and let the technicians come at their desired time. We feel uncomfortable leaving the keys with strangers, especially when we won't be able to check on our apartment for a few days. They continue to insist on this. Is it normal here to leave the keys? Do any of you know if there would be any legal consequences if we firmly refuse? Has anyone experienced a similar situation?

Yes, this is normal here. The options are: Be at home at the time specified by the landlord. Give the keys to a neighbour, because most likely their apartment will be part of the same inspection. Have a friend be in your home at that time. Give the key to the caretaker. Give the key to the landlord, where they tell you to. If you give anyone the key, you can ask them to sign a receipt, although that's not particularly common, here.

If you do not permit entry, as you are supposed to do, then the landlord will have to arrange for the handworkers to come back on another day, but they can bill the resulting extra call-out fee to you (and it won't be cheap).