Leaving Flat - Right to refuse agent/landlord entry?

daveuns

Hi All,

As we have now completed on our house we are about to give notice on our flat. Now the problem is we have a prohibited "visitor" in the shape of a cat. Our rent is due on the 11th and I believe to avoid having to pay another months rent we have to give notice on this day.

Firstly, is it true that if we gave notice a week after rent day, say for example on the 16th, we would infact have to pay an extra months rent as opposed to the 5 days extra that we will have been here?

Secondly, with the cat in mind, are we able to say to the letting agents that we do not want any one visiting the flat until after the 17th to allow us to pack and clean the flat in peace (and slightly more importantly, hide the cat!)

Thanks in advance for your help!

Doozergirl

You need to give notice on or before rent day.

As you don't need a reference, you can refuse them entry without too much of a comeback. Are we only talking about next week here? It will take them that time to get it up and get people interested. Just tell them viewings after that date to enable you to get it up to scratch for the prospective punters. I'm sure they'll be fine - they won't be thinking it's because you're hiding a cat (unless they've read this! )

rosysparkle

If you are on a periodic (month by month) tenancy then you have to give one month's notice in writing which has to run from a rent day to the day before the next one. So if your rent is due on the 11th, you have to give notice by the 11th Feb if you want to leave on the 10th March. If you give notice any time after the 11th Feb but by 11th March, your notice will end on 10th April.

However, if you are in a fixed term tenancy without a break clause, the above doesn't apply, you are bound to the terms of the agreement. If you are in a fixed term with a break clause, your notice requirement will depend on the wording of your agreement.

As for your cat, it's likely that the agent or landlord will be aware of your breach of the agreement after you leave, I am afraid that an experienced agent will recognise the smell! Even thorough cleaning won't get rid of the smell completely.

Did you ever ask for permission to keep the cat?

You can request that no viewings are done until after you leave, though there may be a term in your agreement stating that you should give access. It won't endear you to the landlord though, as it will lead to a longer void period if viewings can't be done till after the checkout.

daveuns

:rotfl: Thanks for all your advice rosysparkle and doozergirl.

rosysparkle wrote:

As for your cat, it's likely that the agent or landlord will be aware of your breach of the agreement after you leave, I am afraid that an experienced agent will recognise the smell! Even thorough cleaning won't get rid of the smell completely.
QUOTE]

The agent has done a perodic inspection since the cat arrived and didnt notice but as you say they may be able to detect the smell. If they do then fair enough we'll hold our hands up, not going to argue the point!

We didnt ask permission as I was relocating (my partner already had the flat) and this was always going to be a temporary arrangment (its only been a couple months!).

Incidently any ideas how to get rid of the smell??:rotfl:

Doozergirl

If there is a smell you can always say it was you!

I can't imagine there will be any terrible smell from the cat being there a couple of months. But for tips on how to lose it, I'd go to the Moneysaving Old Style board. They have an answer for all domestic trivia... something like mopping the carpet lightly with vinegar and baking soda.

rosysparkle

I didn't mean it's a terrible smell, just distinctive.

I'm sure I used vinegar and baking soda together to make a volcano for a school project for one of my munchkins. I'm not sure volcanoes on the carpet would be a good plan!

Doozergirl

Oh God! I was only joking - I have no idea what you'd use. Please don't (or take photos if you do!)

:rotfl: