Rights as a Tenant - Refusing Viewings

EmKnox

Hi all,

I am just wondering what our rights are to refuse access to our rental property. Are we legally allowed to refuse viewings?

We have been here for 2 years now and our tenancy ends on the 28th which we have already given notice for. The estate agents keep booking viewings even though we have repeatedly told them no.

An overview and a bit of an explanation - we were so excited to move in together but about a month after we moved in problems with the property rapidly arose. A severe mould problem that had just been painted over to disguise it, we’ve had rain pouring in through skirting boards and seeping through the walls leaving horrible yellow damp patches everywhere (reported last November, told it would be painted in January, still hasn’t been done), crumbling plaster and paint, rain pouring in through light fittings leaving us with no electric for hours (this happened and was reported on my birthday in January, bathroom ceiling is still hanging through unrepaired), our shower floods the bathroom every day which has left the floor mouldy, the list goes on. All problems reported promptly to the EA.

The LL would send seemingly unqualified boys round to botch everything up, pretty much every week, often leaving such a mess that I regularly had to take days off work to make time to clean up properly. Basically the house became somewhere I resent and lost all motivation to take pride in and honestly my standards have slipped since we realised we would be moving soon. It’s not as clean or tidy as I would normally keep it and our stuff is absolutely everywhere as we are disposing of a lot of stuff before we move, amongst all of the repairs that need doing the house isn’t really in a fit state for viewing (also told the EA this.)

I really don’t want the inconvenience of viewings right now and have told the EA, but they just ignore us and keep sending us viewing confirmation emails! We have even put it in writing that we would like to hold off viewings but the emails just keep getting ignored. We have been good tenants that tried to take pride in the property for as long as we could, have always paid rent on time, reported any problems promptly etc, the EA is always snotty with us and even tried blaming me for the mould problem throughout the house because I once had washing hanging on a maiden in my dining room (in November, when it was hammering down!) and I feel like we haven’t really been looked after. To be honest I don’t feel like doing them any favours while we already have so much going on.

We hopefully complete on a purchase on the 16th and I will be coming back between then and the 28th to give it a good clean, but until then how else can I hold off from these viewings? As they seem to not listen to our wishes!

muhandis

The tenancy agreement might require you to allow “reasonable access” with 24 hours notice but given that we’re talking about a few weeks to the end of tenancy, the LL has no practical way to force you to allow access.

Here’s the low down on it from an LL’s viewpoint https://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/my-tenant-wont-allow-me-into-the-property-for-viewings/

In your place I would make up some excuse (son’s got chicken pox, dog is having the runs, etc) to deny access each time the agent emails and either be at the property to stop him letting himself in or change locks temporarily (it’s quite easy).

anselld

"Hopefully we complete..." I hope you have exchanged before you gave notice.

Your contract probably requires you to allow viewings at reasonably convenient times so you are not really "doing them a favour". However, if you really want to deny viewings then the easiest way would be to change the locks and not let them in.

EmKnox

Thank you for the replies - I can’t seem to see anything in our contract about allowing viewings at the end of tenancy at all, only that the landlord agrees to our right of quiet enjoyment.

We are only due to exchange this week, I am that depressed in this property that my parents have said that we could temporarily move in with them should the sale fall through. I just want to wash my hands of the place and the EA/LL.

Norman_Castle

Put a note on the door apologising to potential tenants and explaining your reasons in detail. Phrases such as "Glad to be leaving this dump" and "PIA letting agent" might encourage the agent to stay away.

45002

Some years ago when the place where I lived was been sold, I got so fed up with viewings.

Two different Solicitors advised me

There is nothing in housing law saying a tenant has to allow viewings or let a EA in, unless it stated in a tenancy agreement you have too allow viewings.


Good Luck....







.....

theartfullodger

Yes, you can refuse: Not much landlord or agent can do about it: It is your home, your property (only landlord's investment) whilst there is a tenancy, even if not paying rent.



See more from this very long thread...
https://forums.landlordzone.co.uk/forum/residential-letting-questions/27235-l-s-right-of-access-for-inspection-or-viewing


If necessary change locks.. (keep old one to change back when you leave).


Good luck with purchase: tough times!


Artful: Landlord since 2000

diggingdude

Just reply back to say you have given up wearing clothes at the property as a family and you don't think it would be appropriate for people to visit during that time