Landlord wants to sell - I don't want viewings...

bitsandpieces

Catblue wrote: »

If you do allow a viewing once per week, then there is absolutely no obligation for you to tidy up or do the dishes.

Also, if a potential buyer were to ask about what needs doing in terms of house maintenance, well you cannot tell a lie, can you?

Which is why a landlord is generally well-advised to try to have non-annoyed tenants at the time of organising viewings. I once (quite honestly) told people viewing the place I was renting about the un-dealt-with rat problem :rotfl:

From the sound of things, the OP could just refuse viewings point blank (I don't know the legal situation). It might be better to show some give, though, to retain good relations - perhaps allow weekly viewings, but make clear you won't do anything (tidying up especially, showing people round, etc) that would make extra work for you. If you do this, though, I would make clear that this is you being helpful - and you can withdraw the permission later if needs-be.

No reason you can't go after the LL for the deposit, when you leave, anyway.

G_M

I think they have to give us 2 months notice?

Yes

The last thing I need is to have to think about tidying

Why tidy? It's your home - live like you want.

Do I have to allow viewings?

No - even if the tenancy agreement says otherwise. You have right to refuse viewings.

we're feeling a bit 'forced'

Stand firm. Put it in writing that you work from home and CANNOT allow viewings.

deposit has never been protected (despite going through agents), no gas safety certificate for 18 months

Put this in writing in same letter - remind them if they have not protected your deposit, they will be ordered to repay three times the amount of the deposit to you! See here.
For Gas Safety see here.
"Non compliance is a criminal offence and courts can impose unlimited fines and custodial sentences. This may also invalidate your property insurance and could subsequently lead to claims for civil damages - awards in these cases have proved to be very high indeed. "
Landlord is being very stupid. You have a strong position but do everything in writing!

clutton_2

this landlord does not know what he is doing - he wants his cake his halfpenny and his gingerbread.... he gives the rest of us a bad name

i would appear to cooperate, then just be "out" when the viewings are supposed to take place.

he has no right at all to treat you in this way

if he has not protected your deposit, i bet you a pound to a penny you will have diffriculty getting it back off him when you leave

do everything in writing from now on.

did you sign an inventory when you moved in ?

Shakethedisease

Just refuse all viewings point blank.

The only person benefiting is your landlord. It's just hassle after hassle for you..the person paying HIM good money to call the property YOUR home. What's in it for you apart from getting booted out if it does sell ?

My landlord tried to do both. We had veiwers and an estate agent at the door 1 day after we moved in. I also work from home and have children and got the same speil about block viewings and 'plenty of notice'. We were completely unaware when we moved that the house would also ( in my landlords words ) 'still be marketed'.

I refused all requests and stopped answering the phone to the begging estate agency. He was either renting or selling as I saw it..and if he wanted to sell he could wait till we were out. I don't really see the problem there ?

We're still there a year later and on good terms with our landlord after it was pointed out that while this house was our home.. there would be no block bookings of complete strangers nosing round once a fortnight. It's a complete invasion of privacy imho and one that many landlords wouldn't DREAM of having to put up with themselves !

tbs624

Richard_Webster wrote: »

Read your tenancy agreement - it would be quite common for there to be a term requiring you to agree to this. You will have to see what it says and whether it gives scope for you to negotiate - but it is unlikely that you can stop viewings altogether.

Sorry Richard - totally disagree with you.

The T *may* refuse access for viewings of the property. S/he may even refuse the LL's " inspection" of the condition of the property, for the purpose of complying with the statutory repairing obligations. Obviously, if a T refuses even those inspections then a LL's only recourse is via the courts. I think it unlikely than an amateur LL such as this one, who has clearly failed to comply with the law on gas safety and T deposits, would even think about going to court or, if s/he did, would find that a judge may be less than sympathetic.

Bigjonny - if you would prefer that these potential buyers do not view the property just confirm in writing to both the LL and the LA that you do not consent to the viewings. Remind them that the law allows you to have "quiet enjoyment" of the property. Keep a copy of your letter. If you think that the LA/LL may let themselves in change the barrel on the lock and keep the original to replace.

Alternatively, lay around the property in your boxers, cook cabbages and kippers, and have some unsavoury mates around to socialise during the first viewing


You do need to get them to register that deposit though asap, as otherwise you are likely to face an uphill battle on its return when you do move out.

tbs624

smartandshrewd wrote: »

Illegal, not to mention that it will jeopodise any reference which you will need should you move into other rented accomodation.

You got an unintentional thanks - meant to hit the quote

No, it is *not* "illegal", and f the LL is wanting to sell they'll be happy enough to give a reference of sorts, given that they'll need vacant possession. Alternatively, decent LLs would recognise that a former LL whom you had to take to court over your tenancy deposit and who broke the gas safety regs is unlikely to be too forthcoming.

devils_advocate

I find that french onion soup has unfortunate effects on my digestive system. The resultant noxious gases can cause flies and other insects to fall out of the air 3 rooms away.

Perhaps you might experiment with various foodstuffs? About 1 hour before viewings should do it.

p.s. I can accept no responsibility if you do not get your deposit refunded at the end of the tenancy due to wallpaper peeling off.

neas

Just start looking for a new rental place... if it isnt now or in a month or two itll be sometime..

They want t osell, so i'd screw them over by giving 1 month notice... gives them 1 mnth to sell... if they get a new tenant in he has 6 months with it so it makes it harder to sell.


Either way they gonna screw you over so find somewhere new to live.

barnaby-bear

Catblue wrote: »

If you do allow a viewing once per week, then there is absolutely no obligation for you to tidy up or do the dishes.

Also, if a potential buyer were to ask about what needs doing in terms of house maintenance, well you cannot tell a lie, can you?

Cook a lot of fish?
Skid marked panties on the landing?
Specialist magazines and vaseline on bed side table?
Saucepan with half an inch of water in middle of lounge floor?
Nice array of mouse traps, ant powder, fly spray?
Prominent poster with environmental health nise department and asbo unit contact no.s next to the phone?
Lots of clothes airers everywhere demonstrating lack of space?
Panic buttons/rape alarms in every room?
Dehumidifiers/fan heaters everywhere?

HOUSE DOCTOR that rental!!!

*feel free to add your own favourites....

TTMCMschine

barnaby-bear wrote: »

Cook a lot of fish?
Skid marked panties on the landing?
Specialist magazines and vaseline on bed side table?
Saucepan with half an inch of water in middle of lounge floor?
Nice array of mouse traps, ant powder, fly spray?
Prominent poster with environmental health nise department and asbo unit contact no.s next to the phone?
Lots of clothes airers everywhere demonstrating lack of space?
Panic buttons/rape alarms in every room?
Dehumidifiers/fan heaters everywhere?

HOUSE DOCTOR that rental!!!

*feel free to add your own favourites....

Don't just concentrate on the house! An old mattress and a broken dolls pram from the tip will work wonders on sprucing up any garden and just be a delight for any prospective buyer.