Letting agent insists I am present when doing viewings

tubbyewe

Hi folks,

I have given notice on my rental and the landlord has an agent arranging viewings for new tenants.
The agents don't have keys and the landlord is out of the country.
The agents email to ask if I am "available" (home) on such and such day. My life/work means I don't from one day to the next when I'll be home.
I have offered to lend agent my keys so they can get a set cut and do viewings when I'm out. I know this would bother some people but I'm fine with it.
BUT the agent says I am being unreasonable by not saying when I am available. They say they don't think the landlord will pay for a fresh set of keys.
I know the rules about weather I have to allow them in or not but I'm happy to let them in I just can't arrange my life around their viewings.
Do I have to be at home when a viewing is made, what do we think?
Cheers
David

G_M

Write a letter to the landlord (with a copy to the agent) and send it to the address provided "for serving notices" (this may be c/o the agent but that's fine).

Dear Mr LL,

As you are aware my tenancy is due to end on xx/xx/19. I understand your agents, xxxxLtd, wish to undertake viewings for potentential new tenants, and I am happy to facilitate this.

Obviously I would require advance notice, but provided I receive 24 hours notice, and the viewings are in working hours and therefore not disruptive of my home life, I am happy for the agent to use their key to gain access in my absence. I am also happy to lend them a key if they do not have one.

I trust this is satisfactory.


I thank you for your understanding over the course of my tenancy and am sure you will be able to find a replacement tenant without difficulty.


yours sincerely,


Tubby

need_an_answer

You've been very reasonable,the agent should work round you and no idea why they wont hold keys that's a new one on me.

Are you perhaps able to say lets do an open house for an hour on Saturday...if that suits neither of you then the answer must always be that you have tried to accommodate their requests and as its proving difficult to arrange a time then viewings will need to take place once the property is vacated!

tubbyewe

Thanks for replying. I have let the landlord know the situation by email.
The agent suggested the cost of cutting new keys was an issue!!
She also tried to suggest I was in breech by not allowing viewing access which I know is not enforceable but anyway I am happy tp allow access I just don't want to be there when it happens.

steampowered

You just need to respond clearly and politely stating what options are available to the LA for arranging viewings - i.e. they can have access themselves; or they can ask for viewings on the day as you don't know in advance when you'll be at work.

I would not get into an argument about the terms of the lease etc.

AdrianC

I can see why any agent might want you to be present - to help reduce/remove the risk of "You conducted a viewing while I wasn't there, and <valuables> were stolen!"

G_M

agents do viewings in the absence of home-owners all the time - both for tenancies and for sales.


'Cost of keys'? What kind of lock? Unless it is a block of flats with fancy digital locks, extra keys generally cost aound £5. Get them cut yourself and give to the agent!

grumiofoundation

You definitely don’t have to be present for viewings. The letting agents are being stupid - you have already made their job easier by allowing them access at any time and you have offered them a way to get hold of a key (again stupid they don’t have a copy already).

Maybe ask the letting agent what percentage of their fee they will be paying you to be present at the viewings!

muhandis

That's a first! I always thought LAs prefer existing tenants to not be around. They've always had a set of keys to let themselves in for viewings.

If the landlord isn't organised enough to have an extra set of keys ot too cheap to pay for the cost of a set, there's nothing you can do about it.

tubbyewe wrote: »

Hi folks,

I have given notice on my rental and the landlord has an agent arranging viewings for new tenants.
The agents don't have keys and the landlord is out of the country.
The agents email to ask if I am "available" (home) on such and such day. My life/work means I don't from one day to the next when I'll be home.
I have offered to lend agent my keys so they can get a set cut and do viewings when I'm out. I know this would bother some people but I'm fine with it.
BUT the agent says I am being unreasonable by not saying when I am available. They say they don't think the landlord will pay for a fresh set of keys.
I know the rules about weather I have to allow them in or not but I'm happy to let them in I just can't arrange my life around their viewings.
Do I have to be at home when a viewing is made, what do we think?
Cheers
David

anselld

tubbyewe wrote: »

the agent says I am being unreasonable by not saying when I am available. They say they don't think the landlord will pay for a fresh set of keys.

No. The agent is being unreasonable and incompetent by not having a set of management keys.

antonic

My letting agent has a set of keys for my flat BUT always asks my permission if THEY need to get to access to the flat for something they want to be done (such as getting valued).
If I need to get things fixed I give verbal permission for entry.
After all , I want a nice easy life with my letting agent !