LL selling - what rights do I have?

vanderstel

I've read through a few posts on similar subjects but wasn't able to pin down my concern.

My LL has put the house on the market and at the end of our 6 month initial contract, put us on a rolling contract (ie they can give us 2 months notice at any time)

The Estate Agents have either phoned me or conducted viewings every day for the last week. I know they have to give me 24 hours notice of a viewing and they have done so. For the first time today, when asked if they could conduct a viewing at 3pm tomorrow afternoon (Sunday and, more importantly for our family, Father's Day), I said no. After a couple more phonecalls to and from the potential buyer, I agreed to Tuesday evening (not great because I have small children, but I asked them to bear this in mind and keep the viewing as short as was possible).

I have since had a text from the LL, cross because I had refused the Sunday viewing and asking me to go ahead with it. I texted back that it had been rearranged for Tuesday.

SO, my question is.....am I within my right to refuse a viewing when I will rearrange for another time? Do I have the right to do that? Or is it simply that I have to let them view on the day or time they request? I have agreed to everything else they have requested.

At the moment I feel like I have no rights at all, and that if a viewing is requested with the specified 24 hours notice, then I don't have the right to refuse.

All this started because I wanted a relaxed and happy Father's Day

Thanks everyone

Annisele

Shelter gives some information on your right as a tenant not to be disturbed by your landlord. (That link is for England; I think the situation is pretty similar for the rest of the UK).

In some ways your position is rather stronger than his - if you just got fed up and changed the locks, there'd be nothing he could do about it in the short term. (In the longer term he could serve you with two months notice, then get a court order if you refused to leave). Plus, unless he's selling to a BTL LL his buyer will want vacant possession before they'll exchange, so it's very much in his interests to keep you sweet.

So in short - yes, you have the right to refuse. Rather than refuse outright, you might decide that it would be better to play nice and say that viewings can happen, say, every Monday and Thursday between 7pm and 9pm (or some other time of your choosing). That would mean they wouldn't keep bothering you for permission for a specific viewing, and you'd have some idea of when people were going to be looking round your home.

BitterAndTwisted

They are obliged to give you 24 hours notice and strictly it should be in writing but you are not obliged to agree at all. You could decide to not agree to any viewings whatsoever until you vacate and they should know this, but it appears that many landlords and letting agents are unaware of this or willfully ignore it.

However, refusing viewings is a sure-fire way of alienating your landlord and could have an impact on their willingness to give you a good reference and to return your deposit without a fight. It just depends on whether this is important to you.

JanCee

If I were you I would start looking for a new rental property. Living in a house that is up for sale is a pain in the neck. When the property is empty they can do as many viewings as they want without the luxury of having a rental income as well.

lellow_lorry

I agree find somewhere soon... at somepoint LL is going to give you notice and then forces you into a rush to find somewhere...so get ahead....also you only need a months notice from your initial contract start date. The LL is unreasonable to complain about 1 viewing not at the time that suits as you have let all the others go ahead...and yes viewings can be right pain in the backside.
The sooner you move you leave the LL with no rental and if they have not sold.....a void where they have to decide rent out and take off market or bite the bullet and try to sell.

vanderstel

Thank you very much for your replies.

We have found somewhere else to live, but can't move until the end of August.

I understand the need for the viewings and in essence have no problem with it, and have previously told the EA which times are convenient (all day Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat am!). I just wanted to know if I had the right to say, no it's not convenient, and suggest another time.

As an aside - am I being too picky - not wanting viewings on a Sunday? It's the only day when the whole family is together!

Thank you very much for answering my question - I can go to bed much happier and calmer!

bungle82

I think you're being more than reasonable. The landlord needs to realise that although it is his property, it is your home.

lynzpower

You are legally allowed to refuse any viewings.

You certainly dont have to comply, although I can see as you are on a rolling contract that you might wish to comply.

I think you are being more than generous with the amount of time you are offering he should be blimmin grateful Im not his tenant as I wouldnt give that much!