Just moved in rented property-landlord looking to sell!

milestone_3

I've just moved into a property that a month ago. I'm on a 6 month contract with the landlords. I just had a call yesterday from the landlord asking if I can allow some people to view the place, as it was on the market also.
I was never informed the place was on the market and I would never have taken the property.
I asked if after my 6 months I could extend for another 6 months and was verbally told it was fine by the letting agents. It came totally unfurnished and it's taken me a month to get stuff in because I'm on my own. I don't want to have to settle and move out soon afer. I know it's my fault for not doing a 12 month thing.

I don't want people to come and view the place whilst I live in there. Do I have any rights? I just feel totally insecure about my new rented place now- I don't like the idea of people coming to view a place that I've just moved into. I'll go mental!

I'm just not sure what right I have with things now and whether the landlord can do whatever they want?

Sisyphus

Your landlord obviously wants to have his cake and eat it. We would want to do the same in his place. The fact that he only wanted a 6 month AST at the outset was a good indicator of his intention. Ideally he wants to sell the place at a good price and earn rent from you in the interim. In fact he would most likey like you to be paying rent until the very day he hands over the keys to the new owner.
As discussed in another thread, http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1309159 you do have the right to refuse all intrusion during your tenancy (apart from in emergencies eg. fire, floods gas leaks etc), no matter what is written in the terms of your AST. So yes you do have rights.
How you wish to exercise these rights is up to you. Obviously if you refuse there is a chance your landlord becomes petty and spiteful - human nature.
If you accept that you are going to move out at the end of the 6 months then turn him down flat and go with the consequences. Alternatively accept vs a cut in rent vs the inconvenience.
Another idea would be to compromise and accept visits in the last month. A sale can be a long drawn out process and he would probably want you to remain in place until he sells.
Bear in mind that he needs to issue you with notice to quit the property two months before the expiry date of the tenancy.

milestone_3

I'm sorry to get back to this but I'm having a real nightmare with my landlady and I'm not sure what to do.

Over the past two weeks my landlady has been asking if people can come around and view the flat. I informed her that I would rather she do it once my tenancy has expired but she is not taking no for an answer.

I agreed to do one viewing with her a few weeks back and she promised it would be the last.

However she keeps phoning and asking me again and again. She won't take no for an answer. Last week I had 3 people coming to view the place and yesterday my evening was ruined as I waited for another viewer that didn't turn up.

It's really stressing me out and I told her that I want some peace and privacy during my tenancy. She asked to do viewings during the day, however I have personal belongings at the flat as it came unfirnished and everything in there is mine. so I told her no.

I spoke to the agency that let me the place and they said that she has a right to enter the property providing she gives 24 hours notice, and I have to adhere to the contract.

I've asked her If I can end the contract early so I can find another place but she said no. She's not even offering a cut in the rent, not that It'll make me less stressed about the situation.

Now she wants to do block bookings where an hour of my saturday is taken by people coming and viewing the place.

What can I do? Am i totally powerless and screwed over this?

I've had to see a counceller at work because it's really had an affect on me.

Planner

milestone wrote: »

I'm sorry to get back to this but I'm having a real nightmare with my landlady and I'm not sure what to do.

Over the past two weeks my landlady has been asking if people can come around and view the flat. I informed her that I would rather she do it once my tenancy has expired but she is not taking no for an answer.

I agreed to do one viewing with her a few weeks back and she promised it would be the last.

However she keeps phoning and asking me again and again. She won't take no for an answer. Last week I had 3 people coming to view the place and yesterday my evening was ruined as I waited for another viewer that didn't turn up.

It's really stressing me out and I told her that I want some peace and privacy during my tenancy. She asked to do viewings during the day, however I have personal belongings at the flat as it came unfirnished and everything in there is mine. so I told her no.

I spoke to the agency that let me the place and they said that she has a right to enter the property providing she gives 24 hours notice, and I have to adhere to the contract.

I've asked her If I can end the contract early so I can find another place but she said no.

Now she wants to do block bookings where an hour of my saturday is taken by people coming and viewing the place.

What can I do? Am i totally powerless and screwed over this?

I've had to see a counceller at work because it's really had an affect on me.

As far as I can tell you have been given the answer back in November. If you do not want people coming viewing the flat, then you are under no obligation to do so. You need to remember that the letting agents are working for the landlady not you, so they will tell you what is in your landladys best interest, not yours.

I cant understand that your landlady wont take 'no' for an answer? When she rings tell her NO, if she insists, tell her no again and put the phone down. If the viewing then turns up, dont allow them in. Change the locks if needs be.

Apart from a couple of forum posters coming round to your house and blocking the door next time a viewing is due, there is little more we can do. You need to grow a set and stand up for your rights.

poppysarah

Ring shelter and ask them what to do - they might help you put a letter together.

pinkshoes

You have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property, unless in an emergency where you would need to give the LL access.

Showing buyers round is NOT an emergency.

You need to make this work to your advantage, and tell her (in writing, recorded delivery) that you will allow one viewing slot a week (pick a day and 2 hour time slot to suit you), on the condition that you have half price rent for the rest of the 6 months.

If she doesn't agree, then you tell her that she is NOT permitted to show anyone round.

I would also change the locks so she doesn't just let herself in to show people round.

Stand up for yourself and DO NOT be taken advantage of. You are already losing out, so why should you lose out any further?

Premier_2

milestone wrote: »

...However she keeps phoning and asking me again and again. She won't take no for an answer. ...

Try here

barnaby-bear

milestone wrote: »

I'm sorry to get back to this but I'm having a real nightmare with my landlady and I'm not sure what to do.

Over the past two weeks my landlady has been asking if people can come around and view the flat. I informed her that I would rather she do it once my tenancy has expired but she is not taking no for an answer.

I agreed to do one viewing with her a few weeks back and she promised it would be the last.

However she keeps phoning and asking me again and again. She won't take no for an answer. Last week I had 3 people coming to view the place and yesterday my evening was ruined as I waited for another viewer that didn't turn up.

It's really stressing me out and I told her that I want some peace and privacy during my tenancy. She asked to do viewings during the day, however I have personal belongings at the flat as it came unfirnished and everything in there is mine. so I told her no.

I spoke to the agency that let me the place and they said that she has a right to enter the property providing she gives 24 hours notice, and I have to adhere to the contract.

I've asked her If I can end the contract early so I can find another place but she said no. She's not even offering a cut in the rent, not that It'll make me less stressed about the situation.

Now she wants to do block bookings where an hour of my saturday is taken by people coming and viewing the place.

What can I do? Am i totally powerless and screwed over this?

I've had to see a counceller at work because it's really had an affect on me.

This is untrue. Send a letter stating 'quiet enjoyment' and you will not be allowing viewings during your tenancy. She can request access but must give 24hours notice BUT you have the right to say no.

Insurance in case she tries to sneak in:
http://www.ultrasecuredirect.com/acatalog/info_SHEDALARM1.html

MissMoneypenny

From Shelter England:-

"Is your landlord selling the property?

In some cases your landlord may be trying to sell the property and bringing people round to view your home at times that are inconvenient to you. Unless you have agreed clearly in advance, your landlord does not have the right to show people around your home without your permission. If you prefer not to allow this, your landlord will have to wait until they have evicted you using the proper eviction procedures before showing potential buyers around."
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/eviction/harassment_and_illegal_eviction/why_harassment_occurs

From the same Shelter link

"Your landlord does not have an automatic right to have a key to your home unless your tenancy agreement says that this is the case. If you change the locks, you should keep the old keys and the original lock to return to the landlord."

Soot2006

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

From Shelter England:-

"Is your landlord selling the property?

In some cases your landlord may be trying to sell the property and bringing people round to view your home at times that are inconvenient to you. Unless you have agreed clearly in advance, your landlord does not have the right to show people around your home without your permission. If you prefer not to allow this, your landlord will have to wait until they have evicted you using the proper eviction procedures before showing potential buyers around."
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/advice_topics/eviction/harassment_and_illegal_eviction/why_harassment_occurs

I would stick that paper to the door for next time she comes round!

milestone_3

I phoned shelter and they have told me to check my contract to see what it states.

I have managed to dig it up and have read the following:

Right of Entry:
On giving the tenant at least 24 hours notice in writing to allow the landlord or any person acting on behalf of the landlord access to view the property at reasonable times, accompanying a prospective tenant or purchaser of the property.

I would normally would stand my ground, but because of what's stated on my contract I'm weary of where i stand and when I can say no.

It's also stated that I'm not allowed to change locks and keys without giving written consent.

This is the first time i'm renting and it's been a nightmare. I've been naive about it all- It didn't occur to me or go into my head that this would ever happen. I've only been in the place for 3 months!