Landlord selling the flat - Viewings

pmlindyloo

In the usual spate about viewings I think people have missed the part where you said they entered your house one morning without prior notice and then proceeded to comment on how untidy it was.

Entering your house without prior notice or your permission is definitely not allowed. Nor is comments on how tidy or not your house is.

From what you have said this is bordering in harassment.

As already said you need to be quite firm about this. Give them some times that are convenient to you. Do not be bullied into either their 'forcing' you to allow evening viewings unless it suits you.

Do not allow them to bully you into making the place spotless. If they want you to tidy up for viewings then ask them for some monetary compensation for your inconvenience

If they continue to harass you then deny them all viewings and change the locks and let them take you to court (they won't)

Have you your landlord's contact details? Write to them telling them about the conduct of the letting agents. It may be that your LL has no idea what is going on.

This is your home and if the agents are being so unreasonable then I certainly remind them of my right to quiet enjoyment.

kinger101

Given your tenancy agreement does not appear to permit viewings by potential buyers, you're the one holding the cards here. So be firm with the EA and tell them;

(a) X hours notice is required (by form you find most convenient)
(b) never to complain about the tidiness again

Reiterate that you are helping them by granting access to which they are not entitled by either stature or the contract, and you trust they will be more reasonable in the future. And you may withdraw permission for viewings if they violate (a) or (b).

[Deleted User]

I know not everyone will agree with me, but personally, I'd be changing the lock barrels (keeping the originals to change them back when you move out) and allow no more viewings. Criticising how you live when you are nice enough to allow free access to the flat when you are not in is just not on. Its also a security issue (what do you do if things disappear from your property?).

Opinions differ as to how permitted this is, legally as you can see (and from many similiar threads about tenants right to limit viewings whilst they are in residence) but this is no reason to allow a LA to push too far. Even if they did take the issue to court, it would take a couple of months to appear and by then you'll be almost moved out. 24 hour access rights generally refers to the need to do emergency repairs, not to allow viewings so the property can be sold!

I suspect the fact that they were so intrusive while you are paying rent would be viewed dimly by any court anyway.

I am sure your situation is stressful enough. If you don't need a LL reference, there's no reason to bend over backwards for your LL or LA. They are the ones wanting to sell the property, not you.

kiss_me_now9

Well yesterday we received a letter from the agency basically saying we've got a black mark against our name now for the state of the place.

So I'm writing a letter back. Would anyone be kind enough to read it through when I'm done?

sinizterguy

We had this in the rental we were in just before buying our house around 6 months ago.

Initially we tried to co-operate as much as possible, but the agents just took the !!!! and brought in viewings without informing us, etc. They started calling me asking for viewings the next day or later on in the same day, etc - we just refused. I was going to give them keys, but their miscommunication meant I no longer trusted them to stick to what they said - and this is exactly what I told the boss of the selling agency.

The selling agents were not the same as the rental agents.

As there is no need for me to let them in without prior sufficient notice, I called them up and said either keep me informed or you can start putting your requests for viewings in writing.

We agreed on two viewing slots of 3 hours each - one on Wednesday and one of Saturday. That's it. No after office hours, no viewings the next day, or later on in the day and all the BS.

This property too had a lot of interest. They had 20+ viewings booked in the first week. Fortunately, it sold after the first week.

The sale later fell through - and selling agents tried to re-arrange new viewings, but as we were leaving in a week, they decided it best to delay till we left as I told them that I would be doing NOTHING to make it tidy, or make allowances for viewing - if they really want, they can come and look at piles of boxes and mess.

Hoploz

I am home owner, landlord and previously a tenant. I am appalled by this!

You are being accommodating by saying they can do viewings but it's not your place so why would you bother cleaning up especially well?!

I have recently sold a flat which was let. We deliberately made sure it was empty BEFORE marketing. It's best that way for the buyer, as they know there won't be any delays from a tenant refusing to leave etc. And best for the LL who can do his own cleaning up, lick of paint etc. to get the best price.

Terrible that they entered without telling you first. I see you are a reasonable person put in a difficult position by pushy agents, and you probably don't want to get involved in legals etc. It's a shame you have no contact with the LL. Surely he would want to see how it looks himself? I don't understand his behaviour here at all!

How about you suggest to the agent that they have an open day, instead of odd viewings with little notice. That would be less work for them and for you.

m0bov

kiss_me_now9 wrote: »

Well yesterday we received a letter from the agency basically saying we've got a black mark against our name now for the state of the place.

So I'm writing a letter back. Would anyone be kind enough to read it through when I'm done?

Write back and tell them they have a black mark againts their name for harrasing you. Change locks and ignore them

pyueck

kiss_me_now9 wrote: »

Well yesterday we received a letter from the agency basically saying we've got a black mark against our name now for the state of the place.

So I'm writing a letter back. Would anyone be kind enough to read it through when I'm done?

My letter back would be brief.

Dear Sir,

No further visits to property xxxx will be permitted while I am the tenant.

Thanks

Money_maker

pmlindyloo wrote: »

If they continue to harass you then deny them all viewings and change the locks and let them take you to court (they won't)

This. How dare they comment on how you choose to keep the property when you are paying rent to use it.

kiddy_guy

I'm of the same view. Dont allow any more viewings and change the locks.


There's an ongoing debate on this forum whether the rights of the tenant for quiet enjoyment trump the right to viewings but it's safe to assume your tenancy would be up prior to this ever being tested.

Therefore no viewings should be allowed unless you want to be nice to the landlord.