Viewing a house without permission...

charmed-imsure

Hi,

Looking for some help... My partner & I are moving abroad soon & decided to give our notice in on our rented house now before we forget to do it in the madness we're about to encounter! We gave 7 weeks notice but are only obliged to give 1 month.

We asked that under no circumstances are the agents to allow viewings without one of us being present (because all of our personal affects will be here on full display & the agent doesn't walk people around the house, they normally let viewers look of their own free will & accord - a no pressure viewing so to speak).

I've received a letter today where they pre-booked timeslots (although no viewing appointments have actually been made yet but we won't know whether or not someone might turn up). Most of them are fine except they've started the weekly booking slots immediately (as of tomorrow) & we won't be here due to a 2 week training course ready for our move. The last 4 weeks of appointments are fine except they've picked the most inconvenient time of day (tea time).

I do not wish to have anyone walking around this house while we're not here because firstly, the viewings are kind of unsupervised, secondly, I have a lot of expensive trinkets & jewellery & what nots on display & thirdly, this area is notorious for burglaries, thefts, violence, you name it. It's an awful area & I feel I should have the right to protect my belongings & if people know we're not here but all our belongings are, this leaves us wide open for burglary.

I didn't need to give them notice until the end of this month, they are claiming that we MUST provide access at all times. Just because I gave more notice than necessary, are they allowed to use that extra time or have I the right to tell them no, no viewings until the end of the month onwards? I am not giving permission for them or anyone to enter the property until the end of the month so can they still enter? They have sent a letter with appointment times & dates. As far as I'm concerned, although notice was given, the months' actual notice doesn't start until 31st January.

Reading this back it seems a tad confusing so any questions, please ask!

silvercar

Write back to them and inform them that you are entitled to quiet enjoyment of the property; that viewing requires 24 hour notice; that viewings will only be conducted after 31 January and that only time slots XX and YY are available. You may also want to say that failure to keep to these terms will result in you not allowing viewings at all. Check you contract, it may well say that you have to allow viewings in the last month. If it doesn't say that, then you could refuse viewings altogether.

Premier_2

If you are determined to keep them out, just change the locks - you can always change them back later just before you leave.

But it's usually best to co-operate if possible and keep dialogue going rather than acting unilaterally. If they decide you are being awkward, you can bet your bottom dollar they be just as awkward back and some!

Is it possible you could arrange a friend to be at the property for any confirmed viewings whilst you are not around for 2 weeks if you really don't trust the LA to monitor things.

I mean if you make an allegation of suspected theft whilst you are away (and there being no signs of forced entry) guess where the police enquiries will start. I'm sure if the EA is as unprofessional & suspect as you allege they are already well known to the local rozzers.

charmed-imsure

My tenancy does state that I have to allow viewings in the last month & they have sent a letter with timeslots & days. They kind of pre-book potential appointments so if you wanted to view, you'd only be given a time of 5.30pm on the one day in the week they've pre-booked!

But my point is, although I gave 7 weeks notice, the notice in reality doesn't start until the end of this month so am I right to refuse any viewings until then... they seem to think I have to let them in & they have said that they will be bringing a spare set of keys.. hmmm, tresspassing springs to mind.

I'm not being awkward, I wouldn't do that, I'm just trying to protect my belongings & what I believe are my own rights. I'll do a viewing with them any time of day or evening (even at a couple of hours notice), but just not this next two weeks...

charmed-imsure

Quick note - the EA themselves aren't the notorious ones. There's been loads of incidences here where actual burglars make appointments to view a house, if it's full of property & it's known that the tenant or even owner is away, they use the appointment to plan their entry & plan in advance exactly what they'll take so it's in & out for them as quickly as possible. It happened to two of my neighbours in this particular street.

Sonofa

If your contract states only in the last month, then remind them of that fact and state clearly that no viewings will be allowed before then. Put it in writing to them.

I would think that you can also dictate when viewings will be within the last month. You don't just have to accept the times they tell you, but obviously it would be wise to be as accommodating as possible if they aren't causing anything more than mild inconvenience.

oldone_2

How about a compromise. Ask that all potential tenants must be accompanied at all times by the letting agent. State the reason is that your insurance company would not pay out on any theft during un-accompanied viewings.If they refuse, say that they - the agents- would be liable for recompense for any losses.

franklee

I hope all this discussion you have had with the agent over this has been in writing. If not document it all now and pop it in a letter to the agent and explain your objections to their behaviour. Ask for their written agreement that they will adhere to your wishes that you be properly notified and present for all viewings. If that's not forthcoming pretty soon then I'd change the locks. The letters will be there to back you up as to why. Certainly point out that no viewings will be allowed till the last month of the tenancy! Apart from trinkets etc. do make sure all you personal paperwork and utility bills that can be used for id are all safely out of the way as credit card fraud or identity theft may occur as well as theft of items.

PasturesNew

Can you quickly hire a self-storage box/unit (you can get some quite small ones these days), just for your valuables, for peace of mind, in these last few weeks? Just in case the bugg4hs start taking the pee?