LL keeps arranging viewings without notice

sartois

Hi,

My LL/Estate Agent is really starting to get on my nerves.

I have bought a place so will be moving out of my rented accommodation at the end of the month. I gave the LL the required 2 months notice and have been super flexible about viewings so far. However, today they phoned me up asking to show someone round when I am not there and I said no, (basically due to the fact that I have left bank statements etc lying around on my computer desk). I told them it would be fine to show them round tomorrow just not today.

Anyway I have just received a voicemail from the Manager of the estate agents telling me that they are going to do the viewing themselves (today) completely ignoring my request to not do the viewing till tomorrow.

Can they just help themselves without my permission? The door has a coded lock (which they have the code to) so I guess there is nothing I can do to stop them going in today.

However, I am tempted to change the code on the door and not let them do any viewings until after I have moved out. Am I within my rights to do this? Am I obliged to allow a certain amount of viewings per week etc?

Thanks in advance

kazwookie

You do NOT have to allow viewings at all.

Change the lock / code

Change it back when you leave

PasturesNew

They had their chance, they blew it. Say "no". That's your legal right.... and they've not even followed the legal route to do viewings (written notice etc).

Change that code, say "no". Tough t1tty..... it's not like you need them for anything ever again.

LandyAndy

Yes change the code and tell them you won't allow any further viewings.


Don't tell them you've changed the code.

Annie1960

Is it the LL or EA, or are they the same person?

If it is the EA and they belong to ARLA, NALS or TPOS, then tell the EA you will be making a formal complaint. If the EA does not belong to one of these bodies (and why would a LL trust their property to an EA who does not even comply with these very minimum standards), then report them to Trading Standards.

I agree with those who have said change the code. You have a right to quiet enjoyment of your property, and neither LL nor EA can enter without your consent as long as you are paying to live there.

sartois

Great thanks for the responses... yes I have no need for them again at all just want to make sure I am not doing anything that could get me in trouble! So if it's all legal then I will change the code tonight...

sartois

Annie1960 wrote: »

Is it the LL or EA, or are they the same person?

If it is the EA and they belong to ARLA, NALS or TPOS, then tell the EA you will be making a formal complaint. If the EA does not belong to one of these bodies (and why would a LL trust their property to an EA who does not even comply with these very minimum standards), then report them to Trading Standards.

I agree with those who have said change the code. You have a right to quiet enjoyment of your property, and neither LL nor EA can enter without your consent as long as you are paying to live there.

It's a bit of both I think.. The Estate Agents are also a management company and own some of the properties they advertise. In the voicemail she basically said she was going in as the landlord... as though that made it okay and above board!

Changing the code is enough. This will cost them as they haven't found anyone yet (I think they have overpriced the property) so if they can't do any viewings then they will lose rent.

RAS

England, Wales or Scotland?

In England and Wales you are only legally required to give one month's notice if you are on a periodic contract tied in with the rental dates and none if leaving at the end of a fixed term.

jjlandlord

kazwookie wrote: »

You do NOT have to allow viewings at all.

That very much depends on what the tenancy agreement says, doesn't it?

RAS wrote: »

In England and Wales you are only legally required to give one month's notice if you are on a periodic contract tied in with the rental dates

That also depends on the tenancy and periodicity of rent payments, though indeed in the vast majority of cases it is as you say.

sartois

jjlandlord wrote: »

That very much depends on what the tenancy agreement says, doesn't it?

I do not have the tenancy agreement in front of me just now but I am sure it's a pretty standard affair, which would typically include something about this.

If so, then what are the consequences of not allowing viewings? If I change the code then the only way they could do viewings is when I am there... which typically is quite late and I am mostly away at the weekends.

I am in England by the way if that is relevant to this.

PasturesNew

Just do it. It's 100% legal. You are doing nothing wrong ... then there's the other side of the coin "what's the worst that can happen?" Well .... the WORST??? They could give you notice.

So, they can't touch you anyway ...... but the law is on your side.