Last month of tenancy

Ms_Sophia

Hi all,
we've just given notice to vacate our current property which we are currently renting. The landlord wants now to take 1 set of our keys from us, so he'll give it to an estate agency to arrange viewings.

Are we within our rights to ask him to inform us at least 24 hours prior to any viewing and only bring the potential purchasers when we are home?

theartfullodger

You can refuse all viewings & other visits, or specify conditions, eg only when youvare in, only Friday 10-11 etc., or ask for rent reduction.

You do not have to give him key.

Landlord does not have to give reference.

Negotiate!!

RedwoodBrook

Ms_Sophia wrote: »

Hi all,
we've just given notice to vacate our current property which we are currently renting. The landlord wants now to take 1 set of our keys from us, so he'll give it to an estate agency to arrange viewings.

Are we within our rights to ask him to inform us at least 24 hours prior to any viewing and only bring the potential purchasers when we are home?

Does the agent not have a set of master keys they can use? If my LL (or agent) had asked for a set of our keys I'd have told them to sod right off!

Werdnal

You have a right to refuse viewings altogether, but as mentioned above, you will probably need a reference from your current LL/LA for your onward rental, so might benefit from meeting them half way.

Do not give them a key, but ask them to make appointments to suit you so you can be there. Suggest something like Saturday mornings 10-12 or Wednesday and Friday evenings 6-8pm. Tell agent that they should still confirm the day before whether there are any appointments, and not just turn up on the doorstep.

G_M

Werdnal wrote: »

You have a right to refuse viewings altogether, but as mentioned above, you will probably need a reference from your current LL/LA for your onward rental, so might benefit from meeting them half way.

Do not give them a key, but ask them to make appointments to suit you so you can be there. Suggest something like Saturday mornings 10-12 or Wednesday and Friday evenings 6-8pm. Tell agent that they should still confirm the day before whether there are any appointments, and not just turn up on the doorstep.

I agree 100% with this but would strongly advise you to put this in WRITING. Do not rely on a telephone conversation, or text/email.
Write to the landlord and send a copy to the agent.

Ms_Sophia

Thanks guys.
We're buying a property, so we wouldn't need a reference from the landlord.

Also, in our tenancy contract it says that we should allow viewings "in reasonable hours in daytime" during the last month of tenancy. Does this make us more exposed then, i.e. do we have to allow viewings when we are not in?

We wanted to propose to him that any viewings can be done when we are in, e.g. after 5.30pm on weekdays and all day Fri-Sat-Sun. Would it be enough to meet that point in the contract about "allow viewings in reasonable hours in daytime"?

BornAtTheRightTime

Ms_Sophia wrote: »

We wanted to propose to him that any viewings can be done when we are in, e.g. after 5.30pm on weekdays and all day Fri-Sat-Sun. Would it be enough to meet that point in the contract about "allow viewings in reasonable hours in daytime"?

I think that's quite generous personally.

Only a court could decide whether you meet this condition or not. Few LLs will choose the time, hassle and expense of a court battle to find out.
When you consider that the battle is likely to take place long after the period in which they are hoping for viewings and especially when the tenant's 'right to quiet enjoyment' means there is no clear answer as to whether a contract term for viewings is legally enforceable at all, it is highly unlikely the LL and/or EA will do any more than moan at you if you put your own restrictions on viewing times.

BornAtTheRightTime

PS. Is your contents insurance invalidated by allowing strangers to roam your property when you are out?

Yorkie1

As others have said, irrespective of what is in the contract, you have a right in law to quiet enjoyment i.e. uninterrupted living there.

The LL / EA can't enforce what is in the contract without a court order.

If you want to negotiate a convenient set of times then all well and good.

Ms_Sophia

Have met today with the LL, he's agreed to our proposed timings for viewings. We didn't give him the keys.

Thanks all!