Our we being reasonable regrads to viewings?

sharpee

Quick background: We rent a property. Landlord has decided to sell it. We would be willing to buy it if only to keep a roof over our heads due to shortage of rentals in our area but not for the asking price.

The Estate Agent left messages on both my partners and my phones to arrange a viewing and stated 'if we do not hear back from you we will assume it is ok and let ourselves in'.

Now my partner and I both have jobs where we are not sat at a desk or able to have our phone on us all the time.

So we have sent them a letter stating we are willing to accomodate viewings for 2 nights during the week and on a saturday.

We don't really want ad oc viewings and lots of strangers wandering around the house when we're not there so thought this was a reasonable comprimise.

What do people think and can the estate agent 'just let themselves in' without agreement from us?

N79

You are being perfectly reasonable (even quite generous really) by offering 2 evenings and an entire day at the weekend.

I'm too lazy to cover the "letting themselves in point" - others will post shortly or you could use the search as there are plenty of threads on this point.

BitterAndTwisted

No, they flipping-well can't let themselves in whenever they choose. The problem with this is that few agents and landlords understand a tenant's right to "quiet enjoyment" and often don't want to because it doesn't suit them.

You have gone about this perfectly correctly by putting your willingness to allow viewings at certain times in writing. Do not be bullied!

You would be entitled to change the BARRELS on the locks (changing them back at the end of your tenancy) to ensure no unauthorised access.

Incyder

here is a recent set of replies to the same question
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3069604

mchale

More than reasonable, don't forget to mention in your letter to EA about the large Rottweiler you have that wanders around the property on its own, when your out. :rotfl:

sharpee

Thanks for your quick replies.

I thought we were being reasonable but wanted to check the views of others as my partner is worried about upsetting the EA.

How easy is it to change the lock barrel? We have a pvc front door and althgough I kow how to change a Yale lock am not sure how easy it is on a pvc door.

Thanks for all your help

abbadon3

I wouldn't change the lock.

People seem to forget that the LL owns the home. If they want to sell it they should be able to. That doesn't mean you have to let them in whenever they feel like it. But if you have put in writing what days you are available and feel comfortable letting them in then there should be no problem.

Working with people is always better than working against them.

mchale

http://www.eurolock.co.uk/shop/page/2?shop_param abt a 10 min job.

MsHoarder

abbadon3 wrote: »

I wouldn't change the lock.

People seem to forget that the LL owns the home. If they want to sell it they should be able to. That doesn't mean you have to let them in whenever they feel like it. But if you have put in writing what days you are available and feel comfortable letting them in then there should be no problem.

Working with people is always better than working against them.

This is all very well until the LL stops following your request to allow you "quiet enjoyment". If the LL decides to not follow your request (as appears to be the case here) then its time to think about changing the locks. The LL can always choose to wait until the house is empty before selling it rather than inconveniencing a family who have paid for exclusive use of the property for the length of the tenancy.

Soniclord

abbadon3 wrote: »

I wouldn't change the lock.

People seem to forget that the LL owns the home. If they want to sell it they should be able to. That doesn't mean you have to let them in whenever they feel like it..

The point being the agent has clearly said they'd let themselves in! That is unacceptable and I'm with the majority and believe the OP should change the locks to prevent unauthorised access to their home! And for the record the landlord may well own the home but as long as the OP is paying rent it's their home for the duration of the tenancy!

tamarto

abbadon3 wrote: »

I wouldn't change the lock.

People seem to forget that the LL owns the home. If they want to sell it they should be able to. That doesn't mean you have to let them in whenever they feel like it. But if you have put in writing what days you are available and feel comfortable letting them in then there should be no problem.

Working with people is always better than working against them.

Nope, they can sell it when it is empty, if the T doesn't want viewings.

The LL/LA Would have no clue the lock had been changed unless they tried to let themselves in. No working against anyone here.