Landlord wants new tenant to have acces to measure up

MeepleH

My landlord has ended my tenancy so his son can move into the property because he has 'nowhere to go'.
Ive been in the property 2 years and this has annoyed me greatly.
The landlord is now asking if the son can have access so he can measure up before he moves in.
I find this incredibly crass and would like to be able to pack my stuff and move out in peace.
My tenancy agreement says I have to give the landlord or his representitives access to the property during notice period but it doesnt specify what the access has to be for.
I want to refuse the visit from his son. Where do I stand?

lookstraightahead

Probably 24 hours notice. What do you expect? If you had decided to move out would you expect the landlord to stand in your way? To be fair the landlord doesn't need to give you a reason why, just follow the correct procedure.

[Deleted User]

If you don't need a reference, it would be very difficult for the LL to enforce such a clause through the courts and debateable as to whether it is enforceable. It might be worth giving Shelter a call to see if any of what your LL has done is legally correct.

Does the LL have a key? If so consult google/YouTube as to how to change the cylinder and do so.

Has proper notice been given? Should be two months if in periodic tenancy. If in fixed term tenancy, he may not be able to give notice now.

Has a S21 been served?

MeepleH

Hi, yes all the notice is correct so that's not a problem.
I would give access for prospective tenants to look around as expected, but access so next tenants can measure stuff is not something I've encountered in 20 years of renting. I can do without this during moving out so want to make sure the landlord is acting correctly.

lookstraightahead

It's probably for half an hour, yet being difficult will take up all your mental energy and end in chaos. Is that what you want?

MeepleH

Not really, its just a phone call to say sorry your son wont be able to come over.

AdrianC

MeepleH wrote: »

Not really, its just a phone call to say sorry your son wont be able to come over.

All very lovely, but your tenancy DOES require you to give access.

So what happens when the landlord reminds you of that, then knocks on the door? I presume he has a key?

anselld

Depends how awkward you want to be.
You have obviously decided not to be awkward regarding moving out in general otherwise you could be waiting for court orders and bailiffs.
So it seems petty to make a point over this issue.

Do you need a reference?
Do you wish swift return of your deposit?

lookstraightahead

MeepleH wrote: »

Not really, its just a phone call to say sorry your son wont be able to come over.

In that case the landlord can just make up some other reason to come over and measure up on the son's behalf. The house might even be sold to the son which will make him your new landlord.

Pixie5740

MeepleH wrote: »

My landlord has ended my tenancy so his son can move into the property because he has 'nowhere to go'.
Ive been in the property 2 years and this has annoyed me greatly.
The landlord is now asking if the son can have access so he can measure up before he moves in.
I find this incredibly crass and would like to be able to pack my stuff and move out in peace.
My tenancy agreement says I have to give the landlord or his representitives access to the property during notice period but it doesnt specify what the access has to be for.
I want to refuse the visit from his son. Where do I stand?

Cleary you don't want to give the landlord access to let his son come and measure up so don't. I'm not saying whether that's the right course of action or not but this appears to be one of these threads where you don't really want advice just people to agree with you.

theartfullodger

MeepleH wrote: »

My landlord has ended my tenancy so his son can move into the property because he has 'nowhere to go'..............

HOW has the landlord ended tenancy? There is no legal way for a landlord to end a tenancy *** (on his own...) without serving notice (s21 or s8), going through the courts, getting judgement, then bailiffs. I doubt very much the tenancy has ended: Even if original term has ended...

Even if landlord has served valid s21 or s8 (many are invalid) that does not end tenancy nor require you to leave. It merely permits landlord to start court process when it expires. What notice, if any, has landlord served on you?

Son does - obviously - have somewhere to go: The housing department of his local council, any letting agents or hotel or B&B. Think your landlord has less than half-a-brain.

Simply inform landlord/son that any visit is not suitable at any time.

Artful: (Landlord btw...)


*** S5(1) of Housing Act 1988
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/50/section/5

5 Security of tenure.

(1) An assured tenancy cannot be brought to an end by the landlord except by—

(a) obtaining—
(i) an order of the court for possession of the dwelling-house under section 7 or 21, and
(ii) the execution of the order,

"execution of order" is the bailiffs. Total timescale months !