Can I ask LA to only have a viewing at a certain time?

missewan

Are they mandatory if included in the lease?

It does say on the lease about it, I just don't like that they are suiting themselves and spending a fair bit of time talking down to me and reminding me that it is not MY property but the landlords. She was so snotty and I really felt like a second class citizen even though the rent on this place costs an absolute bomb!

quidsy

The agreement is worth nothing without your consent. You could if you so chose, refuse all viewings. What can they do? Pretty much nothing. Allow viewings at your liking. If they send a letter, email that you wont be avaiable so they need to reschedule, f they ay they will go alone, state via email that you do not give permission for that. Do not elaborate, do not make excuses, just state yes they can or no they can't. This is your home, you hold all the cards but change the locks tomorrow.

missewan

Thanks quidsy, I am looking into that tomorrow, can you buy the stuff to do it in B&Q? And is it easy for a not so great at DIY woman to do?

They can't sue me or anything for breaking the lease terms?

terra_ferma

Reue wrote: »

One of the disagreements with the LA was that they wouldnt give any references unless we paid a fee (which we refused to do).. and there was a dispute with the deposit (which we challenged and won through the deposit scheme).

There was a clause in the contract, we said it was unenforceable and as we had already given our notice it would have taken the LA too long to gain access by challenging through the courts.


Moral of the story: Dont just roll over for these money grabbing gits.

Moral of the story: don't just assume that what applies to your specific circumstances would also be suitable to someone in a different situation.

missewan

Thanks Terra_ferma...we don't actually need references from them thankfully as we have now bought a house and get the keys on 6th December giving the LA from the 9th onwards to find another tenant without the hassle of arranging viewings around me as the lease actually runs to 22nd Dec but we are handing keys back as soon as we move.

paddedjohn

Changing the lock is very simple to do and when you leave you can change it back and will likely be able to make use of it in your new place. Youtube will have a video on how to do it.

Reue

terra_ferma wrote: »

Moral of the story: don't just assume that what applies to your specific circumstances would also be suitable to someone in a different situation.

Always assume it

Otherwise noone would be able to offer advice based on previous experience. It's then up to the OP to decide if the advice would fit their own circumstances.

19lottie82

missewan wrote: »

Under the terms of the lease I am not permitted to change the locks. The LA basically stated that as long as a letter lands on my door 24 hours before then they can come in whether I like it or not.

I spoke to Shelter today before I called the LA, they said I was under no obligation to allow viewings unless it was stated in the tenancy (which it is) but that it should be a suitable time for me and not just whenever LA decides.

Oh, plonkers / bullies like that make me SOOOOOO angry! :mad:

They can write whatever they like in the lease, it doesn't mean it's enforceable! You are within your rights to change the locks, as long as you replace them with the original ones when you leave.

Buy a new lock barrel for £5-10 from any DIY store and fit it ASAP.

Then WRITE to the LA, and inform them that you will allow viewings during an allocated time period, and any attempts by them to gain access outwith, to YOUR HOME, will result in you calling the police, and also, you withdrawing ALL access for viewings.

Kastanie

missewan wrote: »

They can't sue me or anything for breaking the lease terms?

They won't know/be able to prove that you have. All they'll know is that if they try to let themselves in when you're not there they won't be able to. But if they come round at a time that YOU have agreed, they will magically be able to gain access when you let them in.

You're being more than reasonable by handing your keys in early. Why not refuse all viewings until 22 Dec and then change the locks back Hope you manage to sort it and don't have to stress for the next two weeks, I'm sure you have enough to worry about before moving.

dancingfairy

o.k I'm not entirely sure whether you can legally change the locks in Scotland which is why you needed to double check this with Shelter. Do be aware that tenancy agreements often contain bits that aren't legally enforceable.
I think the only way whether you will find out if this term is legally enforcable is if it went to court.
Personally having spoken to Shelter already about my rights to quiet enjoyment I would probably be prepared to take the risk and spend 5 pounds on a new lock barell and switch it over, but that is me. You do not need to change the whole lock over (just the barell in the middle). Apparently it is dead easy to do and there are numberous youtube videos.
I would however write to the letting agents, explain that you have sought advice from Shelter and that as a consequence you will be restricting viewings to x,y,z times.
df
Edit: Stop talking to these idiots at the letting agents on the phone. Clearly they don't know the law and don't seem to have any regard for you. It is going to be impossible for you to prove what was/wasn't agreed so just stick to keeping everything in writing (and it'll help your blood pressure too ).