Letting agents doing viewings without my permission - can I tell them to leave?

HaroldJB

Recently there's been a few times where letting agents from my landlord are doing viewings early morning (around 9am) without any notice and they often just let themselves in through the door whilst I'm still sleeping! It's quite disrupting as I work nightshift so I barely get enough sleep as it is, and it's quite embarassing as well to be honest to be woken up by agents in bed. With the whole place in a right state as I never have the energy to tidy it up after work. So I was wondering would I be well within my right as a tennant to tell them to "kindly" leave and come back another time ? Thanks!

G_M

1) what does your tenancy agreement say? Is this the final month or so before the tenancy ends? Does the TA allow viewings in the final month (or 2 etc)?


2) you are entitled to 24 hours notice


3) write (yes, a letter) to the landlord at the address provided on the TA, plus a copy to the agency, requesting 24 hours notice for any future viewings


4) change the lock so ensure you are given notice in future and the agent rings the bell and waits for you to open the door


5) keep the old lock, and replace it when the tenancy ends


see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXAo7zSN-9o


and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1WP3o4jAFc

Rosemary7391

Seeing as you're in when this happens - one of those travel door locks would work just as well. You could also put a note on the door saying that you work nightshift and please only knock if it's urgent before whatever time?


Have you called the landlord/agency and told them you work nights? They're probably assuming you're at work when they schedule these. Talking is always a good first step

Pixie5740

If the landlord or an agent acting on his behalf were entering my home without giving the required 24 hours written notice I would tell them to do one and I might not be that polite about it. Are you absolutely positive that you aren't receiving any notice? Could the landlord or agent be emailing you and it's winding up in your spam folder?

If you are positive you are receiving no notification then contact the landlord/letting agent reminding them that notice is required (I assume your tenancy agreement has provision to allow viewings) and perhaps gives some days and times for viewings that will work for you. Depending on how the landlord/letting agent responds to that conversation would determine what I would do next.

You don't need to tidy up for viewings. You might want to but it's not necessary for you to keep your home like a show home.

m0bov

They should give notice on a mutually agreed date. However just entering seems grossly unfair and harassment.

I'd change the locks and suggest a time each week for viewings.

HaroldJB

G_M wrote: »

1) what does your tenancy agreement say? Is this the final month or so before the tenancy ends? Does the TA allow viewings in the final month (or 2 etc)?


2) you are entitled to 24 hours notice


3) write (yes, a letter) to the landlord at the address provided on the TA, plus a copy to the agency, requesting 24 hours notice for any future viewings


4) change the lock so ensure you are given notice in future and the agent rings the bell and waits for you to open the door


5) keep the old lock, and replace it when the tenancy ends

1)Tenancy agreement does allow viewings in the last month but we're still about 3 months away from that!

2) I thought that was the case.

3)Right I'll try that then, I did ring the agency to complain but they just insist it's their right to enter the property.

4)Yeah I feel like that's the only solution - them agents never have the courtesy to actually ring the bell...

5)Ah ok that's grand thanks!

campbell19925

HaroldJB wrote: »

1)Tenancy agreement does allow viewings in the last month but we're still about 3 months away from that!

2) I thought that was the case.

3)Right I'll try that then, I did ring the agency to complain but they just insist it's their right to enter the property.

4)Yeah I feel like that's the only solution - them agents never have the courtesy to actually ring the bell...

5)Ah ok that's grand thanks!

This is your home. They can't just waltz in when they feel like it, mate.

They are required to give 24 hours notice. The best thing to do is arrange a time when you can allow them into your home - but remember, if its not convenient for you then you have a RIGHT to say no!

HaroldJB

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Seeing as you're in when this happens - one of those travel door locks would work just as well. You could also put a note on the door saying that you work nightshift and please only knock if it's urgent before whatever time?


Have you called the landlord/agency and told them you work nights? They're probably assuming you're at work when they schedule these. Talking is always a good first step

I'll have a look into that - I have actually put a note on front door but they just ignore it...

I did ring to complain about the agents as well and they insist it's their right to enter the property at anytime.

It'd actually be worse to be honest if they come in when I'm at work! I feel very uncomfortable about the idea of having strangers waltzing around my house when there's nobody in it _pale_

tara747

Tell them - in writing - not to conduct any more viewings until the final month of the tenancy, and then to do so only in accordance with the requirements set out by the posters above.

This is bordering on harassment imo. You are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your home.

lindens

Wow that's so out of order! I would be livid. A shame they don't even understand their own rules. 24 hours notice is required for entry and if it's not convenient say so. plenty of good advice above

HaroldJB

Pixie5740 wrote: »

If the landlord or an agent acting on his behalf were entering my home without giving the required 24 hours written notice I would tell them to do one and I might not be that polite about it. Are you absolutely positive that you aren't receiving any notice? Could the landlord or agent be emailing you and it's winding up in your spam folder?

If you are positive you are receiving no notification then contact the landlord/letting agent reminding them that notice is required (I assume your tenancy agreement has provision to allow viewings) and perhaps gives some days and times for viewings that will work for you. Depending on how the landlord/letting agent responds to that conversation would determine what I would do next.

You don't need to tidy up for viewings. You might want to but it's not necessary for you to keep your home like a show home.

I would be less polite if I didn't think they are going to be difficult with the deposits! Yepe 100%sure nothing through texts, emails or even letters - me sister who's a joint tenant hasn't had anything either.

I rung and they insisted it is their right to visit the property at anytime and was being difficult about it...

Well I know that but it's still uncomfortable like having people gawking round at all the mess, I don't mind it if its friends but these are complete strangers like!