LL wants to sell - when to allow viewings?

katebl

Hi all,

Just looking for some opinions please. Our contract runs out in September and we'll be moving out after 4 years, the LL will be putting the property on the market. We had an estate agent round a couple of weeks ago who has advised the LL he should put the property on the market now in order to be completed by then. He wasn't sure whether to take his advice so is having a think, but should he agree I personally feel that I don't want to spend the next 5 1/2 months holding viewings for him whilst also having to try to find somewhere to live - I appreciate it will cost him money (he is clearly an 'accidental' LL), but at the same time this is our home, we pay a lot of money for that priviledge and I can't face the hassle just yet.

I know from looking at the boards that we have the right to refuse any viewings at all but I don't want to do that and burn our bridge with him so was thinking of a compromise. Would any LL's on here in this position find it unreasonable if we were to say we would be happy to accomodate viewers from say mid-July? This gives him 2 months extra to market. Any thoughts welcome.

mchale

If your happy with it, why not suggest 1 viewing per week with a 30 minute time frame to suit your lifestyle.

katebl

Thanks mchale, however I can just see it now - the estate agent pretending the one extra viewer per week that we hadn't planned for could be a buyer and us being guilted into it - really don't want that sort of pressure! As of July we'd be able to accomodate pretty much any evening/weekend.

DVardysShadow

katebl wrote: »

...Any thoughts welcome.

Agree with Landlord that if you find a place you want to rent, he will allow you to terminate the agreement on the convenient date for moving to the new place. But no viewings until you have gone.

G_M

Most buyers are put off by tenanted properties - they have no guarantee if/when the tenants will leave. Their solicitors will certainly advise them not to Exchange contracts till you have left.

Consequently the general advice to LLs is to get vacant possession before marketing the property. Prospective buyers then take them more seripusly.

I appriciate you want to balance your own right to quiet enjoyment of your home with wanting to facilitate the LL's sale - and this is an admirable attitude. Find a compromise and then stick to it firmly. Either allow access in the final weeks and/or as suggested a window of time once a week when you'll allow access. Discuss this is full detail with the LL, and then confirm whatever you agree in writing with both LL AND agent, and stick to it (no "Oh just this one special case the couple are SO keen but can only come at X o'clock on Tuesday.....")

katebl

Thanks to all for the views - and G_M, your final point is exactly what I worry about! I'm glad no-one here has thought I'm unreasonable as I feared I may have sounded so, but if everyone agrees it's up to us to put our foot down if needed I feel more confident now. He's a lovely guy and I don't want him to lose any money, but we have paid him tens of thousands over the years to live here and I just don't want to be under pressure for months on end.

Jenniefour

Not unreasonable at all for you to decline any viewings outside of times agreed - and very reasonable of you to allow viewings while you're still tenants.