Rules on looking around private student accommodation (England)

Spendless

Uni student son tells me living in private rented student accommodation tells me that today some people came into their privately rented house to look round with a view to them renting it next year as son and housemates don't wish to continue the tenancy into the next academic year.

They were given 24 hours notice by the Landlord as per their contract. The people viewing all wore masks and didn't stay long. Though son himself didn't mind, his housemates aren't overly comfortable with it.

I can sort of see both points, they had to view on-line only last year and didn't physically see the property until the day they moved in. The current rules for England are you can have people into your garden but not in your house but are there different rules for viewings when a property is occupied. If today's viewers aren't interested then there might be quite a few callers over the next few weeks. Property is a 3 bed house, 2 upstairs bedrooms with en-suites, third bedroom downstairs with shared kitchen and living room plus a downstairs bathroom. All rooms would be viewed. However if this is permitted within the 24 hours notice given then they have to accept there's nothing they can do to change that.  

tooldle

Is it with an agency? If so there will be guidance under which viewings can take place. I’ve recently sold a property and, found it easier to go out when viewings were booked. The guidance suggested open windows, open internal doors, viewers to wear masks etc. Hopefully this info helps 

sheramber

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-landlords-and-tenants

House viewings

• House viewings can proceed provided these are undertaken in line with the latest guidance on (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do, public health advice and the relevant coronavirus (COVID-19) legislation.

• Tenants’ safety should be the priority of letting agents and landlords.

• Where possible, virtual viewings should be used before visiting properties in person in order to minimise public health risks. If any member of either the household being viewed, or the household undertaking a viewing is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or is self-isolating, then an in-person viewing should be delayed until the viewing is able to take place.

• The government expect property agents to accompany clients on a viewing and follow social distancing guidance. Where viewings are unaccompanied, agents should make sure viewers and the occupants of the home understand how they should conduct themselves to protect their health and the health of others.

• Members of the public who are viewing a property should wear a suitable face covering as described in government guidance unless they are exempt from this requirement. This should be confirmed with the agent before arrival. Anyone with concerns should contact the agent in advance of their visit to discuss appropriate measures.

• If your property is being viewed, you should open all the internal doors prior to the viewing to improve ventilation and allow access to handwashing facilities and ideally separate towels/paper towels to avoid potential spread of the virus.

• The government would recommend that you vacate your property whilst viewings are taking place in order to minimise unnecessary contact.

• Where viewings proceed, they should be conducted in line with the guidance on viewings included in the guidance on moving home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) period in England.

Spendless

Cheers for the info. I can't remember now if it's through an agency or not.  If it starts becoming a regular thing I'll get them to query if prospective tenants are viewing the property online first. Yes going out  whilst others look round would be sensible, they are skint with the next student loan instalment not due to next week so as the shops and pubs are currently out, I doubt it occurred to them to just go for a walk!  

GrumpyDil

We're looking for student accomodation for next year for my daughter.

The agencies where she is (Nottingham) are all (at least all of the ones we've looked at) doing online viewings first and then, if you push, letting you actually do a physical viewing.

Although first one wouldn't do the physically viewing so ended up as a no. 

Spendless

GrumpyDil said:

We're looking for student accomodation for next year for my daughter.

The agencies where she is (Nottingham) are all (at least all of the ones we've looked at) doing online viewings first and then, if you push, letting you actually do a physical viewing.

Although first one wouldn't do the physically viewing so ended up as a no. 

Yes, I totally get that not viewing physically is an issue. Would I personally want to live and pay a year's  rent on somewhere I'd not seen in real life, probably not. I should also imagine that not all online viewings are equal. Son's last year was a good video tour of the property.

At the same time I can understand the current occupants frustrations. They had to sign up last year without doing a physical view and now are having to accept strangers looking around at a time when they still can't have friends and family in their house.  

Hopefully things will become better with the further easing of restrictions. 

GrumpyDil

Yup it's a difficult balance in these times.

I believe the logic behind viewings but not friends does make sense because viewers are not going to sit down, have a meal and spend the next three hours chatting etc.

Spendless

GrumpyDil said:

Yup it's a difficult balance in these times.

I believe the logic behind viewings but not friends does make sense because viewers are not going to sit down, have a meal and spend the next three hours chatting etc.

Agreed, but they're not allowed friends or family at all. Not even to pop in the door for the same time that the viewers can  call round for. So you've got strangers in your house even if for limited time but not people you know.  Hopefully the ones that viewed signed up to take it and then there's no more viewings needed. 

sheramber

But  there is no guarantee that friends would only pop in for a short time. So the only way to avoid that is not to allow any time for anybody.

 People  are allowed to enter the house to access a back garden or use the toilet. 

Spendless

I'm perfectly capable of telling friends that they can only pop in for a short time. No idea why other adults wouldn't be able to manage that?  

sheramber

They probably are capable but choose not .

Like all those who are still attending parties despite the rule being no visiting inside property.