My landlord is selling...

millie1985

Hi all,

First proper post so please be nice!

My current landlord is trying to sell our flat and our contract expires at the end of August, and we are planning to leave whether he sells or not.

My question is really about how helpful I have to be with regards to viewings. The flat has been on the market for two weeks now and so far we have had four viewings. The landlord hasn't given the agent any keys which means that I have had to be home for all of them so far, which often means leaving work early (I work quite long hours) so I have to take work home, getting up early at the weekends and missing my exercise classes.

I think I have been overly helpful so far, I'm even doing a late viewing this evening by myself, without the agent or landlord present.

My question is now, after this viewing this evening, I don't want to have to be in for any more so can I tell the agent that he can come and show people, obviosuly accompanied (I've met the guy several times and he seems very nice) if he gets keys from the agent, and lets me know beforehand so I can tidy up! How would this work with regards to my contents insurance? Would I still be covered?

In addition, he wants some people to come around on Sunday, but this isn't ideal as my partner will be getting back from his holiday with several friends in the early hours of Sunday morning and they will be staying over so the flat will be full of people and probably a mess, yet the agent wants someone to come and see it at 10am!

I've probably answering my own question here as it says we have to make the flat available for viewings in the last 2 months of our agreement and that doesnt start until the 1st July but I want to keep the good relationship we have with our landlord and not jeapordise his sale, but at the end of the day...it's not my flat I'm trying to sell.

In addition, I'm not entirely sure our deposit is in a protection scheme as I don't remember receiving any paperwork...can I find this out without asking him?

Sorry for the long post!

Millie

ncooper1974

You are still a paying tenant, and therefore entitled a quiet enjoyment of life.

I was in a similar position to you whereby I was thinking of selling a flat which was tenanted at the time, and i agreed with the tenant that viewings would only take place on 2 days during the week, and a 4 hour window on the weekend so as not to create too much disturbance. This seemed to work well.
maybe you can suggest something similar to your landlord?

what you dont want is to have to drop everything just because someone wants to view the property - this is certainly not fair on you!

97trophy

tell the LL he is causing you a great inconvenience and ask him for a cash discount on your rent.

Hopefully you will be able to reach an amicable agreement.

clutton_2

you can contact all three deposit schemes and ask them if your deposit is registered - they will have to tell you

i agree with ncooper - suggest to your landlord that viewins are difficult but you have happy to offer a window of one evening and a block of 4 hours at the w/e - but dont bother tidying up too much - it aint your sale property is it ?

millie1985

No you're right, I'm going to tell them that the viewings need to fit around me! I don't want to be too obstructive as I know how annoying it can be when you want to view somewhere!

I've told the agent they can't come on Sunday - well, I left a message with someone at the office so we'll see how that one goes!

Thanks for all the quick replies - I know about the tidying but I'm really quite housepround - my boyfriend says I have OCD!!

I'll call the deposit schemes at the weekend to see if I can find out where it is!

Millie

poppysarah

Give them times when they can come. Once a week would sound fair to me, and ask them to book visits in only for that time. refuse them access otherwise.

Pee

There is no problem with accompanied viewings whilst you are out and sounds like this would be a lot easier for you to be honest.

You sound like a really good reasonable tenant and I hope the Landlord knows how lucky he is to have you.