Possible new tenants to view property which you are renting?

JohanDij

Hello
I was having a look online but I thought I would get some ideas here.
My inlaws are moving home. They gave their notice on Saturday and just now when they arrived home they had a letter saying:

"The following appointment(s) have been booked to show your property to prospective tenants. You do not have to be present for the tenant viewings. In fact, most of our tenants choose not to be.

All viewings appointments are accoimpanied by a member of our staff at all times."

And then lists 4 different appointments, two for tomorrow, one for Thursday and one for Saturday.

They don't mind showing the house but they want to be present and at a convenient hour for them.
Immediatly have 4 lots of different people parading the house sounds a bit much.
And this company has in the past entered a different property rented by them without their permission and when they arrived they saw 5 people leaving.

What can we do? Can they allow viewings but in a reasonable manner, with them present and at a suitable time or do they have to go with what the agency imposes?

Thank you,



Johan

clutton_2

the agents need their permission to enter the property..... so i would suggest they write back saying that they are happy to have viewings, but prefer to be present and offering 2-3 slots per week for viewings....

tbs624

JohanDij wrote: »

...They don't mind showing the house but they want to be present and at a convenient hour for them.
Immediatly have 4 lots of different people parading the house sounds a bit much.
And this company has in the past entered a different property rented by them without their permission and when they arrived they saw 5 people leaving.

What can we do? Can they allow viewings but in a reasonable manner, with them present and at a suitable time or do they have to go with what the agency imposes?

Thank you,



Johan

No, they do not have to go with what they agency wants to impose.

The property remains your in-laws' home until the end of their tenancy and they are entitled to "quiet enjoyment" of the property.

If you/your inlaws think that the LA may enter in their absence then change the lock barrel (keep the old done to replace before moving out).

LAs/LLs can be foolish on this one - Ts may decide to leave the property looking decidedly downbeat for viewings or refuse access altogether.

If they are not happy about the current bookings then your inlaws should tell the LA that they will have to rearrange the dates and times .

Your inlaws should follow the phone call up with a letter to the LA, stating clearly that they don't consent to viewings in their absence although they are happy (if they are) for viewings to take place on Weds eves and Sat afternoons, for example.

JohanDij

I did write a letter and this morning they informed us that they have the right and will be going to teh house no matter what.

So they say they will let themselves in in all the appointments if needed with no regards to the fact that we said no to it.

Changing locks (I read in some forums to do so) is not something my in laws are ready to do.

What can they do?

vikingaero

Stay in and refuse entry. If the LA disagrees then call the Police.

firstaspect

Phone the LA up and explain that they don't have the rights to do that, and that you're perfectly happy to do the viewings but want to be present and give some available times. You can get a discussion going on then to sort it rather than letters which obviously can take time to be answered or ignored.

JohanDij

My in-laws are afraid of them entering by force?

And will the police come?

adg1

My advice in this instance is to change the barrels. I wouldn't normally recommend it at all but this LA seems to be unwilling to play ball.

Yes their contract will probably state that viewings are to be allowed in the last x months of the tenancy but, under UK housing law only at times convenient top the Tenant.

Its a weird concept, but they live in the landlords house and their home. It is up to the people who's home it is to allow viewings.

Speak to the LA and inform them that the locks will be changed until the end of the tenancy, and no viewings are going through without their express permission and with them present.

If the EA then start to be nice, relax a bit but don't allow them to run the roost over your inlaws.

JohanDij

My wife did call the LA.
They got very abusive shouting "rubbish" at anything she said and said they were in their rights to enter because it says in the contract and that was it.

sonastin

If they force entry, have them arrested for tresapssing. Let the EA know that you intend to do this.

nc35

Have a quick read of the tenancy agreement.

Many agreements have the option of showing new tenants around up-to two months before the tenancy expires.

A good LL or LA will work with you, does not want any trouble - looks bad in front of new tenants etc. Also remember who will be offering you a reference for your next tenancy.

Good luck