Landlord wants photos, viewings etc... can I refuse?

FBaby

Ha ha, only a few months ago, an elderly friend was telling me that when she used to work for a rental agency, showing prospective tenants, a job she did for years, the tenants who took the least care of the properties she showed were nurses and teachers.

I have to say that from the description of your home and the way you are reacting on this forum, you are not coming across as the model teacher we imagine for our kids!

I does make me smile that ultimately, it sounds like the main reason why you don't want anyone to come to your house is because you're embarrassed at the state of it. Do what you want and hope that you never face someone with your selfish attitude yourself.

moneyistooshorttomention

I must admit that, reading OP's comment about her world does revolve around her left me wondering whether she teaches that attitude to her pupils.

I can think of at least one teacher that regards/ed their job as being not just one of teaching the facts of the subject concerned to the pupils, but also being a role model for good behaviour that they also want those pupils to learn from them. Hence - I do believe teachers have that as part of the unwritten part of their job description.

"World revolves around me" doesnt sound like very good role model behaviour to me.

saajan_12

dearlouise wrote: »

True. It's just inconvenient. I pay rent to live how I like, rather than be inconvenienced in 'my own home'.

Yes, I agree you should get the benefit of your initial agreement. However that's not (quite) just to 'live how you like'. Instead,

Benefits:
- You get a place to live, keep your things..
- You get the flexibility of moving with a month's notice (or in line with any fixed term you agreed to), with less hassle than buying/selling
- You get repairs taken care of at no cost (up to you if you choose not to follow up)

Responsibilities:
- You pay rent, in full, on time
- You allow REASONABLE access as agreed for repairs / inspections / viewings

That was your initial agreement, so why do you think it's unfair / greedy of the LL to expect you'll fulfill your side?

martindow

I think I have more sympathy for the OP than most.

She is packing to move so the place will be in chaos. If the LL wants to come round to check if any minor repairs or redecorating are going to be necessary that is fine imo. If the LL is expecting her to have the place in pristine condition so they can take marketing photos that is not.

She should offer some convenient times for the LL to come round but not bother unduly to tidy up. Tidiness and cleanliness will only be an issue at the end of the tenancy.

As the LL has not done an inventory they may be in a weak position to claim anything from the deposit.

sammyjammy

I'm shocked at the vitriol being thrown at the OP, any other question like this would be answered by suggesting they come to a compromise with the landlord but at the end of the day its up to the OP to decide for herself what quite enjoyment of her property consists of and there is no requirement for her to let Landlord take photos or arrange visits

Kalamazoo

^^ Unless her contract states she must allow reasonable access in the final month, at which point she is contractually obliged to be reasonable in accommodating the landlord.

People are being harsh because she sounds like a self important princess. She's a teacher for gods sake, not a permanently on call brain surgeon

westernpromise

I have some sympathy with the OP, who is happy to live like a slob, but less happy to be seen to do so (I live with just such a slob who is embarrassed by her mess if visitors are expected, but doesn't care that we all have to live in it the rest of the time).

One of the downsides of being allowed to give just a month's notice, however, is that landlords will want to use some of that to market the property to avoid an expensive void. It's not unreasonable and in fact protects the landlord later if the photos genuinely show the current condition.

I'd play along - you're going to have to declutter to move unless you want to pay to have junk moved from A to B and then throw it away, so why not now?

FBaby

She should offer some convenient times for the LL to come round but not bother unduly to tidy up.

I think everyone agreed with this, but it would OP has indicated that she wants to leave her dirty clothes on the floor and dirty dishes in the sink, and as such, not want others to witness this so flexibility is not an option for her. She wants to say get loss but somehow do so in a manner that won't upset the landlord, which I can't see how this can be.

Marvel1

Everyone is different in their home life to their work life.


I'm with the OP, void periods are one of the risks being in the landlord business.


As long as the property is left in the same condition when you move out, it does not matter what condition the property is now.

Tyler119

dearlouise wrote: »

It was the school holidays & I don't have a place to live 200 miles away yet. I'm going down in half term or will be living in a B&B until I do!

Unfortunately, my world does revolve around me. That's how life works. I don't have to pander to a greedy landlord that wants tenants back to back in his property that doesn't have a mortgage... just to make sure he doesn't have a day where he's not earning rent.

I'm only down to comment number 10....I am so happy for the landlord that you are leaving. Your comments about him being greedy for not wanting void periods is quite something indeed. You have zero idea of his financial responsibilities.

I suggest a period of getting over yourself! I think I read you were a teacher...hopefully not a social education one.