Refusal to Allow Contractor Access

I instructed some work in the loft after a rat infestation. The loft guys turned up on the second day of a two-day job to be told by the tenant, who was on his way out, that he couldn’t leave them in the house while he went out for a couple of hours.  

The contractors said they needed a clear day to complete the job and were unwilling to wait for the tenant to return. They did not carry out the work and now are charging me £100 for the day.

Am I allowed to pass this cost on to the tenants (I will try and negotiate it down)? I’ve seen the messaging between the tenant and the contractors, and it reads like they would be able to start work when they arrived on site.

View Related Handbook Page

Periodic Visits - Entry and Refusal

What are a landlord's rights for property access? Discover the balance between repairs and the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment.