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Landlord Selling Home. Need some advice.
GeekLad
Posts: 15 Forumite
I have an issue.
We rented a house from our landlord knowing that she was selling the house, but we were told that the sale could be a long way off as it's been on the market for 2 years and nobody has viewed it.
I was fine with this. She gave us a 6 month contract, and said after the 6 months is up it will roll into a monthly contract.
Here's the problem though.
Every week now we've had viewings at the property. Keep in mind that this is a lived in house, and we have a child. We're far from messy, and the house is always clean, except every time there is a viewing the landlord wants the property to look like a show home.
She's asked me in the past to move my computer and desk out of the house when there's a viewing. I'm a DJ also, and have my DJ equipment set up in an area in the living room. She's asked me to move this. She has constant moans about the property when there's a viewing.
Each time we know there is a viewing we spend at least an entire day getting the property in it's "show home" condition. Even to the point of wiping the skirting boards - even though they are clean lol!
It's a constant hassle, but this is what she expects. And the viewings are getting more and more regular now.
The house itself is in a bad way. There's a massive patch on the living room ceiling from a leak in the bathroom that was there before we moved in. The chimney breast in the bedroom has damp patches - even though I decorated that room - because tiles missing on the roof. The thermostat for the boiler doesn't work. The kitchen needs a makeover - again was like that when we moved in.
But because nobody is buying she some how assumes this is our fault. I've alerted her to these issues time and time again and she says she will send her Dad round to fix it (he's a poor Bob the Builder btw and even plastered an entire room over wallpaper ... yeah I know!).
I know what I need to do. I need to move. But we're saving the funds at the moment to relocate.
In the meantime, these constant viewings are doing my head in, and the constant need to have the property look like a show home (this is akin to polishing a turd) is doing my head in.
Is there anything I can do here within my rights?
She's coming over Sunday to inspect the property to see what needs to be done. Also have another viewing Saturday. I have a feeling this is an excuse to have a moan at me. Personally I'd rather not be at the property.
I just feel like I'm not actually living here, and just maintaining the property to her unreasonable standards and paying her mortgage until she sells it.
We rented a house from our landlord knowing that she was selling the house, but we were told that the sale could be a long way off as it's been on the market for 2 years and nobody has viewed it.
I was fine with this. She gave us a 6 month contract, and said after the 6 months is up it will roll into a monthly contract.
Here's the problem though.
Every week now we've had viewings at the property. Keep in mind that this is a lived in house, and we have a child. We're far from messy, and the house is always clean, except every time there is a viewing the landlord wants the property to look like a show home.
She's asked me in the past to move my computer and desk out of the house when there's a viewing. I'm a DJ also, and have my DJ equipment set up in an area in the living room. She's asked me to move this. She has constant moans about the property when there's a viewing.
Each time we know there is a viewing we spend at least an entire day getting the property in it's "show home" condition. Even to the point of wiping the skirting boards - even though they are clean lol!
It's a constant hassle, but this is what she expects. And the viewings are getting more and more regular now.
The house itself is in a bad way. There's a massive patch on the living room ceiling from a leak in the bathroom that was there before we moved in. The chimney breast in the bedroom has damp patches - even though I decorated that room - because tiles missing on the roof. The thermostat for the boiler doesn't work. The kitchen needs a makeover - again was like that when we moved in.
But because nobody is buying she some how assumes this is our fault. I've alerted her to these issues time and time again and she says she will send her Dad round to fix it (he's a poor Bob the Builder btw and even plastered an entire room over wallpaper ... yeah I know!).
I know what I need to do. I need to move. But we're saving the funds at the moment to relocate.
In the meantime, these constant viewings are doing my head in, and the constant need to have the property look like a show home (this is akin to polishing a turd) is doing my head in.
Is there anything I can do here within my rights?
She's coming over Sunday to inspect the property to see what needs to be done. Also have another viewing Saturday. I have a feeling this is an excuse to have a moan at me. Personally I'd rather not be at the property.
I just feel like I'm not actually living here, and just maintaining the property to her unreasonable standards and paying her mortgage until she sells it.
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Comments
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Dont clean it for a viewing, consider refusing viewings.
Are you getting a lower rent to do this for the landlord?0 -
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Mallotum_X wrote: »Dont clean it for a viewing, consider refusing viewings.
Are you getting a lower rent to do this for the landlord?
No. Infact she's talking about putting the rent up! In November my girlfriends mother had a heart attack and asked us if we can mind her 2 dogs. We asked the landlord and she said it was fine. We explained to the landlord that if we're asked to keep the dogs can we have them in the house. She said yeah shouldn't be an issue.
The dogs are no bother, they sleep in a crate, only allowed in the living room and kitchen (not upstairs where there is carpet). Very clean dogs that don't cause any hassles. Now because she didn't change the contract - although she said she would - she's now saying she wants more rent to keep the dogs.
We've even said to the landlord if you don't want the dogs here just say so and we will rehome them.
That's another thing, when there is a viewing we have to leave the property and take the dogs.
We also have a cat, which we had when we moved in and he's on the contract. And because he was meowing when the viewing was taking place I got moaned at by the letting agent too saying the buyers were very upset. The cat was bloody outside on the window ledge!
Can't wait to move from here to be honest. Causes so much stress on our family.0 -
Choices are:
1. Refuse to allow viewings at all but LL may issue a Section 21 notice for possession.
2. Agree to viewings on certain days/times at your convenience.
3. Allow all viewings and negotiate a reduction of rent for your convenience.
The problem with now changing your mind is that the LL can ask you to leave. This has to be done correctly and the LL would have to go to court to actually evict you, giving you some extra time.
As regards the repairs there is a correct procedure to follow which is detailed on the Shelter website. A bit late now and again the LL can just issue a Section 21.
really depends on how much this is annoying you.
Dig your heels in but just be aware of the possible consequences.
The LL will be unable to issue a Section 21 if your deposit has not been protected or the prescribed information issued.0 -
I have recently been viewing properties...many of which have been tenanted,and only one property has been tidy...I have learnt to look past the belongings in the house.
On each of the viewings I have been told in advance if it got a tenant in and to be honest a buyer will know if the property is for them or not irrespective of you spending time making it show home quality.
Get on with your day to day living and enjoy what time you have left in the house...please dont be a slave to the LL in order to show off their house.frugal October...£41.82 of £40 food shopping spend for the 2 of us!
2017 toiletries challenge 179 out 145 in ...£18.64 spend0 -
Some Landlords want to have their cake and eat it buy having a house up for sale with tenants living in it at the same time.
She's also being pretty daft, as tenants will put off any clued up potential viewer. A property should really be vacant before it's up for sale.
IMO, you will be asked to leave when / if the LL sells the property anyway, so you don't have to worry about peeing her off too much, as long as you play fair. I'd write her a letter, offering a set time each week, that suits you, for viewings (for example, 6-8pm on Tuesday evenings). Also inform her that the place will be tidy, but you don't have time to conduct deep cleans before each viewing, and also let her know that you are not in a position to move any of your personal possessions.
If she doesn't like it, tough luck! If she moans, ignore her.
Oh and if you think she might let herself in to the house when you're not there, change the barrel of the lock (v easy, takes 5 mins), and put the old one back when you leave.0 -
In your situation I would start looking for somewhere else to live. I wouldn't want to be lining this landlord's pockets whilst she is trying to sell it.
If she does manage to sell the property you'll have to move sooner or later so just make it sooner and leave her to deal with a rental void
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Notify the landlord in writing, to the address for notifications on your tenancy agreement that you are unhappy with viewings and not prepared to allow them in future unfder the current conditions as they affect your quiet enjoyment of your tenancy. It is your home whilst you have a tenancy agreement, not the landlord's. You could also consider changing the barrels in the locks so they cannot gain access when you are out. (Save them to put them back when you leave).
This action is likely to ensure the landlord sends a section 21 giving you 2 months notice, but this is likely to happen anyway if the house is sold. Even so, you do not have to leave at the end of the notice period, they will need to go to court. In my view any landlord trying to sell a house that is tenanted is crazy.
Your landlord's demands are totally unreasonable.0 -
pmlindyloo wrote: »The LL will be unable to issue a Section 21 if your deposit has not been protected or the prescribed information issued.
The deposit is not protected. What is the "prescribed information issued".0 -
So you have a landlady who wants her rent money, wants to sell her property - which, whilst you have a valid contract is your home - and would like you to bend over backwards for all viewings .... hmmm!
There are several ways to deal with this, depending how awkward/annoying/dig-in-heels you want to be.
Firstly, this property is your home, you do not have to allow anyone in if you don't want to .... other than in an emergency situation. You are well within your rights to refuse all future viewings until you have saved up enough money and you can move on. You can put 3 bags of coal in the bath and have all your kids toys out, none of the landlady's business and nothing she can do about it. Thats the mega annoying option and may get her back up even more!
You could write a letter to the landlady, explaining that as you currently have a valid tenancy agreement with her, you are not willing to allow her to dictate the viewings. You could offer times that are suitable for you and your family, say 1 afternoon or evening and 1 morning at the weekend.
Time to make the landlady aware you are not a walkover anymore. I assume you have all the relevant documentation in place.... gas safety certificate, protecetd deposit, dual signed inventory, all as appropriate?"Put the kettle on Turkish, lets have a nice cup of tea.....no sugars for me.....I'm sweet enough"0
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