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rented annex -landlord is selling up - rights re viewings?
lin473
Posts: 553 Forumite
A family member is renting a self contained furnished annex.
They have already had issues with the landlord storing items in the annex - it has never been completely clear of junk since moving in.
He also enters the annex without prior warning for random reasons.
He has now put the whole property on the market and has announced that the first viewing is tomorrow which a day booked off work for the tenant .
The landlord says they have to leave the property for at least half an hour when this viewing takes place.
This all seems out of order to me - surely the viewings should be booked for a mutually convenient time ?
I think the Landlord is being a bit of a bully - what can the tenant do?
They have already had issues with the landlord storing items in the annex - it has never been completely clear of junk since moving in.
He also enters the annex without prior warning for random reasons.
He has now put the whole property on the market and has announced that the first viewing is tomorrow which a day booked off work for the tenant .
The landlord says they have to leave the property for at least half an hour when this viewing takes place.
This all seems out of order to me - surely the viewings should be booked for a mutually convenient time ?
I think the Landlord is being a bit of a bully - what can the tenant do?
0
Comments
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Do they have a tenancy agreement or lodging agreement? If so, what does it say?
I'd refuse if I was a tenant (unless given some money). But as a lodger, you can be out on your @rse very quickly."Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance" - Confucius0 -
There is a tenancy agreement - they have a 6 month contract
I don't know what it says as I haven't seen it.
I think it is a tenancy - the annex is a self contained unit in the garden ,not in the landlords own home so not a lodger.0 -
perhaps be good to see the wording regarding viewings and access rather than speculating."It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"
G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP0 -
Any clause that told a tenant they should be elsewhere when viewings take place would likely be regarded as invalid. It most, it should request that you give reasonable access for viewings.
But "I think it's a tenancy"....doesn't mean you're a tenant. Lodgers have few rights, and you might become homeless sooner than you think if you assert rights you don't have."Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance" - Confucius0 -
So are you saying that there are no legal rights applying to all tenants in this situation ?
It's all about what the contract says?
If the contract says 24 hours notice for viewings or LL inspection, then you must comply by it and cannot complain as they signed up to it??"It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"
G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP0 -
If the contract says 24 hours notice for viewings or LL inspection, then you must comply by it and cannot complain as they signed up to it??
But the LL is also telling the tenant they have to make themselves scarce at the viewing.
They may not be complaining about the viewing, but the fact they are being 'told' to disappear, from a property they are paying for.
What if the LL booked 7 viewings, one after the other? Is the T expected to leave their home for a whole morning to accommodate?0 -
The key issues are
* tenant or Excluded Occupier (lodger)?
* terms written in the contract that the occupant agreed to by signing
Both are uncertain. However, if the annexe is self contained, with its own front door, and there are no services provided by the landlord (eg cleaning, weekly changed sheets, meals etc) then he's almost certainly a tenant with tenant's rights.
Either way, an amiably negotiated compromise is always best.
Failing this, go formal:
* write a letter (YES!) politely requesting at least 24 hours notice
* explain you prefer to be present (if that's what you want)
* explain there are certain inappropriate times (whenever)
* change the lock if you fear the LL will ignore (keep the lock to replace!)0 -
Thank you to those who gave helpful advice -
I will pas GM 's very practical suggestions on to my family member.0 -
Perhaps the landlord does not wish potential purchasers to know there is currently a tenant in situ.0
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