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Landlord is selling his property and wants a photographer to take photos

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I’m after a little bit of advice, my landlord is selling his property in renting from him however he is wanting a photographer in to take photos of the place to get it on the market. I’m really not comfortable with someone coming in the property to take photos of my possessions especially when I am in the process of boxing things up ready to move (photos will not sell the property the way it is at the moment) 

my tenancy agreement is up April 19th, no section 21 has been given yet either. He has given me a reference ready for my next landlord. 

Do I have a right to refuse the photographer and any ideas how I can say no without sounding rude?

any help appreciated, this is really stressing me out at the moment 
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Comments

  • TripleH
    TripleH Posts: 3,188 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You can say no and that they should wait until you are gone, there is a chance the landlord will then become a pain in the posterior about it.
    I may well say that you are packing at the moment and there are boxes everywhere. You can clear things to 1 side so certain belongings are not on show if you don't want them photographed.
    I think if possible it is always better to work to a mutually agreeable arrangement interest situations.
    May you find your sister soon Helli.
    Sleep well.
  • canaldumidi
    canaldumidi Posts: 3,511 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 7 February 2022 at 6:05PM
    It sounds like you are planning to leave. When? At the end of the fixed term on April 19th? Seems very early to be boxing things up!  There again,it also sems early for the LL to be marketing. Or have you agreed an earlier end date for the tenancy?
    What does your tenancy agreemement say about access for viewings etc? It is not unsual for there tobe a clause allowing the LL access in the last month/2 months for marketing, viewings etc. Please quote your TA.
    You can, of course, refuse, and there is little the LL can do other than either use a key to access the property inline with the TA (depending hat it says) or by getting a court injunction. But negotiation and compromise is a far better approach.
    What exactly is your concern? That someone is coming in, or that your posessions will be photographed? If the former, would you be happier (or less happy!) if you were present at the time? If the latter, I'm not sure why unless you have possessions of a particularly personal or private nature. And given advance warning, surely you could put these away on the day?

  • 400ixl
    400ixl Posts: 4,482 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    I assume it is the estate agent wanting to take photo's?

    I would work with the landlord and the agent to comply, asking to be present when the photo's are taken so that you can move personal belongings out of the way for their staging. That way you stay in control and keep the LL on side.
  • doodling
    doodling Posts: 1,271 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Hi,

    It is unclear who has given notice to who to leave but that is a relatively minor matter with respect to the photographs.

    Assuming that valid notice has been given by you or the landlord then it is likely to be reasonable for you to allow access for someone to take photographs.  You don't have to do this - you could change the locks and deny access if you want but that is probably needlessly confrontational.  In theory the landlord could attempt to claim damages if your tenancy agreement requires you to allow access and you prevent it (although I've never heard of any landlord successfully doing that).

    You are not required to make the property tidy for the photographer and you do not have to let them move or touch any of your stuff.  It is your right to keep the property as neat or as messy as you wish, providing that when you finally leave it is in the same state (less wear and tear) as when you moved in, the landlord (or their agent) has exactly the same right to tell you to tidy up as I do (i.e. none).  If that means that they don't get the photos they want then they will have to wait until you've left.
  • I have started to pack up because I feel like I’m being pressured out of the house, so starting to pack things away that aren’t needed at the moment, in my area there’s not a lot of property available for rent, so if I do find something I want to be prepared to just move, landlord has agreed that if I find somewhere I can leave before the end of the tenancy. 

    My tenancy doesn’t mention anything about if he wants to sell, but it does say that he can come in to show future tenants in the month before my tenancy ends.

    id just rather photos of my things weren’t online for everyone to see
  • sammyjammy
    sammyjammy Posts: 7,950 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If its about not wanting photos of your things then just clear things away, sounds like you need the goodwill of your landlord as much as they do your so work with them.
    "You've been reading SOS when it's just your clock reading 5:05 "
  • canaldumidi
    canaldumidi Posts: 3,511 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    ...., landlord has agreed that if I find somewhere I can leave before the end of the tenancy. 


    then you clearly need to mainatin a good reletionship, unless you actually have in writing a specific agreement from the LL, which would probaby require a specific agreed end date.
    Without that, you are dependant on the continued goodwill of your LL.


  • i haven't had anything in writing to tell me i need to be out, but i have since learned this morning that due to sovid he should be giving me 6 month written notice not just the 2. Just seems like a total waste of time them coming to take any photos when i items boxed up, furnture dismantled. He's never going to sell the house when its looking like someones in the middle of unpacking.
  • emmajones1976
    emmajones1976 Posts: 1,345 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 8 February 2022 at 5:29PM
    Who has told you he needs to give you 6 months notice?

    That is, based on legislation as of February 2022, almost certainly incorrect if its a S21 that has been served correctly (we are assuming you are In England here).

    In any case, its not X months notice that you need to be out.  Its X months notice that after X months, he will start proceedings to get you out.
  • Sandtree
    Sandtree Posts: 10,628 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    If you dont like the photographer wait until you have the prospective buyers coming around to view the property! We've had 3 properties sold from under us and its not a nice feeling but ultimately its their property and every tenancy agreement we ever had allowed the landlord access with reasonable notice so you just have to suck it up.
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