Landlord selling ... tenants rights re viewings?

tbs624

Fire_Fox wrote: »

This is the same quote I always post, so apologies to those for whom it is old hat!! http://www.themovechannel.com/guides...tenant_rights/

This website is a portal for property developers and agents AFIAA. They also say:

"Just as the landlord and tenant have certain responsibilities or obligation in terms of the duties that they must perform in relation to the property, so too do they have certain rights that are protected by law:

Landlord rights
You or your agent are allowed access to the property for two main purposes, both of which are usually detailed in the tenancy agreement:

• Conduct visual reports. Most landlords or agents will wish to gain access to the property every three to four months, in order to monitor its condition and to ensure that the tenants are abiding by the terms of their tenancy agreement. To be able to gain access for the purposes of inspection, you must give at least 24 hours written notice.
• To show the property to prospective tenants. You will normally insert a clause into the tenancy agreement giving you the right to gain access to the property at reasonable times of the day to show prospective new tenants around, if the current tenants are not renewing or extending their tenancy. Again, there will normally be a stipulation that you give fair notice of any appointments, usually 24 hours. Procedures for gaining access to the property should be included in the tenancy agreement.

If you want a definitive guide on tenants rights it's probably best to use Shelter, Crisis, CAB newtork or Community Legal Advice etc as your source

tazzy2010_2

Hi there,

Haven't read all of the above posts so sorry if I am repeating stuff that has already been said. We are in a similar situation whereby the house we are renting is currently on the market. The estate agents have generally been ok though and we have arranged that they can only have viewings on Saturdays and only within the last 3 months of our tenancy. Not only do we not want to have to arrange and remember viewings all the time but we also don't want to tidy the house 3/4 times a week (not slobs - both work 8-6.30pm weekdays). I defo wouldn't give them a key and I think that they can only show people round in the last 3 months of your tenancy (check this).

Hope you get it sorted

scottn

if i were you i'd be there for each viewing. A chance to make sure the viewer knows the property is currently let out and to find out their attitude towards you i.e. will you met your new landlord or will they be expecting to take possession when your initial tenancy expires.

Sammy85_2

With an agent being such a git i would just say no to any viewings, you have 6 months left of your tenancy. Next they'll be finding a buyer and trying to get you to leave early.

Soot2006

Shame your dogs aren't like mine. I could leave the key under the door mat and no one would be able to come in ... or rather, they could come in, but then I wouldn't need to feed the dog for a few days .

more seriously, you don't have to accept viewing at all, though of course it's polite to come to some kind of agreement. But it sounds like selling agent has not been very polite yet is expecting you to accommodate him? ...

Ignite

When we were given 2 months notice on our property, we were all set for this kind of thing. In the end, it wasn't rerented or sold so nobody was shown around. However, we did have a few props to hand. We were going to leave a stack of heavy boxes in the hallway and use the back door to come and go. Also, another is to stage a fake domestic argument just at the time that people are due to be shown round. All of this tends to not do the EA any favours during his viewings and will put him off to some extent.

angel.cake_2

bellrooster wrote: »

You don't have to allow any viewings if you don't want.

This is not strictly true. You do not own the property so this is not your decision.

angel.cake_2

Ignite wrote: »

We were going to leave a stack of heavy boxes in the hallway and use the back door to come and go. Also, another is to stage a fake domestic argument just at the time that people are due to be shown round. All of this tends to not do the EA any favours during his viewings and will put him off to some extent.

I don't really see the point in this, it just seems petty. Yes, estate agents are g*ts but at the end of the day you are just making it more difficult for someone to sell their own property. Ok, if your LL has also been a g*t then maybe you don't care. But if they have been ok with you then why would you cause them trouble and put off a potential buyer? They have obviously decided to sell - for whatever reason - so why not just get out and find somewhere else to live!

For all you know, LL may have to sell to stop place being reposessed and you could end up being booted out before you have a chance to look elsewhere!

Shakethedisease

Yes, estate agents are g*ts but at the end of the day you are just making it more difficult for someone to sell their own property. Ok, if your LL has also been a g*t then maybe you don't care. But if they have been ok with you then why would you cause them trouble and put off a potential buyer?

Erm.. the rent money they've been paying every month to live there hassle free ?

Either the landlord has things awkward as they're selling, or the tenant does having to accomodate strangers and ea's nosing round the place 3 times a week ( or whatever ). Since the OP is a paying rent. I'd have no problem at all making this the landlords problem and not mine.

I honestly don't get why there there is such consternation here about going out of your way to keep someone you're never going to meet again 'happy'.. The landlord signed a contract too you know. To rent the property out for the period agreed.

That they've decided to sell during that tenancy, and furthermore, want to put their paying tenants to great inconvienience in 'speeding up' this process is just tough.

OP just tell them no, no viewings and to come back in 6 months when you've left. The landlord is either renting or selling. Trying to do both at the same time isn't your problem as long as you're paying the rent. It's not like you're going to get any thanks for it anyway ? Other than having to move that is. You'll have enough to worry about yourselves... don't worry toooo much about trying to keep someone you've never met, and never will 'happy'.

RobertoMoir

angel.cake wrote: »

This is not strictly true. You do not own the property so this is not your decision.

Then how would such a viewing take place without the tenant's consent in a way that didn't infringe their rights? I suppose the EA could drive the prospective buyers past the house so they could see the house actually existed but I'd imagine most buyers would want a little more than that.

Now I don't normally believe in being awkward for the sake of it in these things, but it seems to me that the selling EA have already exhausted any consideration they could reasonably expect from the OP by their own unreasonable behaviour.