Tenant flat viewing issue

katykatkins

Hi, we are currently the tenant and the agent in charge of our flat has told us there is a viewing on monday. Being students, we are smack bang in the middle of exams, in fact I have one 2 hrs after this viewing on Monday. I know I don't have to be here for them to come in, however I will be and won't appreciate this distraction. Our flat is not necessarily a "student" one and our contract states they can bring anyone to see it in the last month of our tenancy, which would be August. I just wanted a little advice on whether or not I could refuse this viewing, and how to go about it if I can, as I really don't need people coming round viewing the house right before an exam (I'm normally stressed enough as it is!) The landlord and the agent both go exactly by the law normally, only doing as they have to and not doing anything more (eg our flat is flooding the one below it due to a leak in the floorboards but they havent been to sort it as it's not our flat with the problem)
Thanks in advance

poppysarah

A viewing? I'd want to know who is it. Is it an estate agent or other house sale related person or a new tenant? If you think you're there till August what would be the point of showing it now?

When did your tenancy start?

Zelie

I'm slightly confused as to why there is a viewing if you have a tenancy until August.

They have no right to bring anyone around until the time stated in the contract. Phone and leave a message stating that it's not convenient due to exams and that they will not be allowed in. Don't make it combative though - tell the agent when is a good time for them to come around and stick to that.

katykatkins

Thanks, we live in a studenty area of Nottingham and viewings normally happen in Jan/Feb so people can get the best houses, although we did our viewing for this flat in May or June as its only a 2bed flat and we couldn't find a suitable one through the normal student channels. Our tenancy runs from September 1st to August 31st.
The Letting Agent brought a prospective tenant round in December too, when I was just out of hospital after an operation, obviously I didn't check my phone whilst I was under general anaesthetic and the next day they brought someone round!!
I find it a bit odd that they are bringing prospective viewers round anyway as we said we would probably want to carry on living here for a couple of years as we were hoping to get jobs etc when we graduate this year. As it happens, we won't be due to our circumstances changing (I'm off to a new city to study!!) and also the way the landlord has treated us, and the amount of problems the flat has had. Sorry this is a bit longwinded!
I have written the following text to the Letting Agent (he texted me "We have a viewing at 11am on Monday")
"As it is exam time I would prefer not to have anyone look around. Could you please postpone the viewing until our exams are finished on Jan 29th?" Is that ok? ..arrrg it just sent itself so it had better be, but was it?!

shirlgirl2004

I don't think I'd have put "Could you"in the text because it means he can reply "no sorry it's all arranged"

katykatkins

Hmm I thought that too... My initial reaction is to lock the front door and leave the key in the lock so they can't get in. I suppose it's a good thing my calm hubby can persuade me not to as its a bit inflammatory! can't wait not to have to rent any more, its SO much hassle. Shame it'll be at least 6 years till we can even think about buying anything. Anyone have a cheap 2/3 bed in Derby?!

tbs624

Any request by a LL to bring potential tenants round the home for which you are paying rent should be made in writing to you with at least 24 hours notice.

You then have the right to suggest that a mutually convenient time & date be rearranged if necessary or to refuse access at all (note however that if you persistently refuse access for viewing of the condition of property by the LL or his agent, this will go against you on repairs issues).

These things are best kept in writing rather than using text or phone calls.

At no point should a LL, or anyone acting on his behalf, simply let themselves in.

Zelie

It's not the least bit inflammatory to leave the keys in. They've contacted you about something that you have not previously agreed to. You've replied via the same means saying 'no'. Lock the doors, put the keys in the lock, draw the curtains and get on with revising.

katykatkins

ok thank u! am off to the library now actually!

tomstickland

Why don't you speak to the agent and say "it's not really a good time for me, can we rearrange please"?

fridgehead

They cant just bring someone around without notice or if you agree to a date, our ea in notts done this a few months ago, and i just said you didnt give us any notice so your not coming in, so him and the people behind just walked away, theres not much they can do about it.