Viewings for Potential New Tenants - Help!

Noseflute

We informed our landlord’s letting agents in June that we were in the process of buying a house and so would need to transfer to a rolling contract, if possible, at the end of our tenancy agreement (12 months, which ended in July 2019). The agents said they would contact the landlord and come back to us. They never did. July, we contacted the agents again to make them aware that we were nearing exchange of contracts with our new house purchase, and still didn’t receive a reply from them. Last month we gave formal notice to say that we had exchanged contracts and would be ending the tenancy once the month’s rent we have paid for terminates (mid October), which they agreed to. We complete on the house on the 24th September and are hoping to move out on the 30th.

The agents are being rather forceful about bringing viewers in, which we agreed to at first. Even though they have basically been telling us when they are coming, and not asking when was convenient - often at short notice. When viewings take place, I go out with the dog (usually in the car) for 15 minutes or so. They have been in the daytime so my husband is at work. On Friday, the agent told us he had one viewing at 10:00am so I duly took the dog out for a drive in the car. I was gone 25 minutes, but came back to still find cars on the drive. I thought it a bit strange but just left and drove round for a bit longer. After 45 minutes, the cars were still there. Come 11:00, an elderly couple turned up, got out of their car on my drive, pointed to the sign and duly walked up to the front door to be let in by the agent!! He and his viewers were in my home for a total time of one hour and 15 minutes, which I think is totally unacceptable. Especially, when we weren’t asked if this could happen. I complained to the Lettings agency and the letting agent emailed me to “apologise” whilst making excuses that he thought I was aware of the viewing at 10:30, and that he then had somebody else wanting to view and, as he couldn’t get hold of either of us, decided to put them on the end of the other two viewings and tell them to come at 11:00. Again, without telling us. Neither myself or my husband knew anything about the 10:30 or 11:00 viewings and neither of us had received any missed calls, messages or emails.

When I entered the house: the french doors had been left unlocked, the shower scrunchie thing that I use to wash myself with in the shower had been taken from it’s hanging place and put in the bath, there was a small blood smear on the fridge door, (the fridge is the landlord’s but has our own things in and on it), and now I’ve noticed grubby fingertip marks above our bed where there is a crack on the ceiling.

I’m furious with the letting agency and don’t want them bringing any more viewings in until we have moved out. We will be going on the 30th September, which leaves them around 10 days of completely empty house to conduct viewings in whenever they like, as we have paid up until mid October. The agent is still constantly ringing and emailing telling us when he wants to bring viewers round. I have anxiety and, to be frank, this is making me ill. We have enough to worry about with trying to pack everything, without trying to keep the house clean and tidy and having them round at the drop of a hat. We have been very accommodating with them over the past year and it feels that, since we’ve handed our notice in, they don’t care about our rights anymore.

Can anybody please give me some urgent advice on how I can word an email to the letting agent to inform him that no further viewings will be taking place until we have vacated the property?

Slithery

Just change the locks.

kinger101

If you didn't renew your tenancy, you'll either be on a contractual of statutory periodic - i.e. rolling. There wasn't any need for the agents/landlord to confirm or agree to this. It's a default position if a new fixed term is not entered into.

You should also check your expired fixed tenancy agreement to see what it says about showing tenants around (if contractual periodic- the same terms as the fixed period would apply). It it is silent on the matter, you don't need to allow anyone in for the purpose of finding a new tenant.

If it does permit viewings, they must be reasonable, and require 24 hours notice. This certainly didn't happen with the 10:30 and 11:00 viewings, and you would have been within you rights to tell them to leave.

Work out whether anything is in your contract and then

(a) tell them no more viewings will be allowed as there is no contractual obligation to do so; or
(b) you'll not allow them any more viewings as they've allowed people into your home unlawfully (i.e. without the require notice). If they want to take an issue with it, you'll refer the matter to the ombudsman scheme of which they're a member.

pinkshoes

Firstly, change the lock on the front door (then change it back when you leave).

Then tell them (in writing) that their short notice and lengthy viewings were unacceptable, but hopefully they now have another tenant lined up. Should they need any more viewings, you can offer them Saturday mornings between 10am and 10.30am, and Wednesday between X and Y. 24 hours notice will be required before viewings, and you will now be present during viewings due to them leaving the door unlocked.

theartfullodger

Do you need a reference from agent?

silvercar

theartfullodger wrote: »

Do you need a reference from agent?

OP says they have exchanged on a purchase, why would they need a letting agent reference?