LA wants us to let viewings before move out date

in_need_ofhelp

Some advice would be appreciated.

We handed in our 60 days notice for our house on Friday 24th May and today received a call from the letting agents telling us they have a gentlemen who wants to view the house on Monday 3rd June. She did say I could be in attendance if I wished but honestly I don't want anybody in house while we still rent it!

Do we have to allow this? Also the house will be unfurnished so how can someone possibly view it when all our furniture is still there??

Just feel they are being very rude and snotty with us since we have had words with them regarding our deposit issues that I have previously asked the forum about.

Thanks in advance

moneyistooshorttomention

When I had public sector housing many years ago the previous occupant had to let would-be tenants come and have a look and she duly showed me round okay.

When I subsequently moved on and bought my own place I was told that I, in turn, would have to let prospective tenants view the place whilst I was serving out my notice period. I accepted this and showed the place to someone and seem to recall that they decided to have it on the spot and I didn't have to have any further people in looking. I took the chance to show the prospective tenant round myself and negotiated a price with him to leave various additional "beneficial bits" I had added to the place. He couldnt afford to buy my carpet off me unfortunately - so I took that up and brought it with me to do a "make do and mend" job in a room in my house to start with. He did, however, want some shelves and stuff I had put up - so I was able to get a bit of payment for them.

It shouldn't be too arduous. Just start working out any "improvements" you have made to the place and will be happy to sell on to the next person if they want them (rather than taking them with you or just junking them).

moromir

You don't HAVE to let anyone view but realistically why is this such a problem for you?

Why do you think your furniture is going to cause a problem? Every house I looked at to buy had furniture in... it didn't make me think it came with furniture or stop me seeing the property beyond that... seems a bit of a silly quibble to me...

Be aware that this could appear antagonistic to the landlord and agent if you're preventing viewings "just because I can", its generally worth trying to work to a compromise, i.e. you'll allow viewings between 6-8pm on Wednesday and 9-11am on Saturday (just throwing examples out there) accompanied by the agent?

monty-doggy

I am renting and the LL is selling the house I am in. He hasn't given me notice or anything but has asked I allow viewings. I am in the process of buying a new property anyway, and even though its been VERY inconvenient, I'd like to be able to move out in my own time scale and make sure. Get my deposit back hitch free. Causing problems can result in them being picky and end up costing you money!

in_need_ofhelp

I work full-time and the agent doesn't do night viewings so the main thing is I don't want strangers in the house while I'm not there or my partner isn't there and I'm not taking time off from work to have viewings when I need all this for when I move.

The furniture issue is the fact that the house does have 'white goods' included and a couple other items but I have put these items in storage to use my own fridge etc as the ones that were there were crap.

in_need_ofhelp

getting our deposit back is going to be a fight anyway (through no fault of ours) so not really factoring that in

By looks of it we're just being awkward so looks like we'll have to allow the viewings

phoebe1989seb

Not sure why you wouldn't want strangers in the house when you're not there tbh.....if you were selling a property it is quite likely that the EA would conduct the viewings without the vendor being present - surely this isn't that different? A LA acting in a professional manner is not exactly going to nose through your stuff/steal anything

topbargainhunter

When I rented my flat out, it was written in the tenancy agreement that the tenant had to allow viewings to take place when their tenancy was ending, have you checked your agreement?

in_need_ofhelp

Not yet. I'm at work so can't check it until I get home.

As I said before we're obviously just being fussy and awkward so will let the viewings to be done just wanted to get a little advice first.

RAS

topbargainhunter wrote: »

When I rented my flat out, it was written in the tenancy agreement that the tenant had to allow viewings to take place when their tenancy was ending, have you checked your agreement?

Contract law does not trump statute law.

This clause is almost certainly unenforceable.

OP -= which country are you in? Scotland as you mention 60 days notice?

monty-doggy

I don't think you are being fussy, I didn't like doing it either. I know it's not nice but you have to try and make the best out of a crappy situation. Moving house is stressful enough, try to make it a bit easier on yourself and forget the things that don't really matter