Landlord selling - viewings

Mimi123456

Hello everyone.

My landlord is selling the flat I’m renting. My tenancy is up in a months time. 

Do I have to provide access for viewings? I’ve been contacted by the EA asking about time slots next week.

Ive been renting for years so obviously know it’s common practice to start showing the place in the last few weeks of tenancy to future tenants. But with rentals it typically ends with 1-2 viewings and then the place is rented. But selling takes a bit longer and I don’t want to have a parade of prospective buyers in my house. 

I am also in the process of looking for another rental flat (after failing to find a place to buy) which takes a lot of time and is stressful. So on top of that also allocating someone else’s viewings really seems too much to handle. 

Thank yoy!

canaldumidi

First off- do you intend to end the tenancy when the fixed term expires, or do you intend to stay? If staying, obviously viewings are pointless.

Next - what does your tenancy agreement say about viewings?

3rd - will you want a (good) reference eg for a future landlord?

To be fair, the EA is being appropriately considerate in giving you good warning as well as asking for your preferences regarding times.

So some reciprical cooperation on your side is probably appropriate, but make clear your boundaries eg

* number/frequency of viewings

* time/dates you prefer

* whether you want to be /not be present

* whether you want advance notice of each and evry viewing, with an opportunity to decline

etc

Mimi123456

Thank you canaldumidi. My contract says that I agree to allow viewings but that refers to tenant viewings I guess which are usually less disruptive as in my experience flats go fast in rental market so I never had more than 1-2 viewings in places I stayed in. 

I’ve been told that I can’t stay beyond the term of my fixed contract, so yes, I’m moving out. In fact they already arranged for check out time and I’ve been contacted by the inventory check firm. 

canaldumidi

Mimi123456 said:

I’ve been told that I can’t stay beyond the term of my fixed contract, so yes, I’m moving out. In fact they already arranged for check out time and I’ve been contacted by the inventory check firm. 

You may have been told that, but it's not true. You have every legal right to remain. Your AST does not end just because the fixed term ends (assuming you are in Eng/Wales?).

Have you been served with a S21 Notice?

Read:

Post 4: Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

Slithery

Mimi123456 said:

I’ve been told that I can’t stay beyond the term of my fixed contract, so yes, I’m moving out. In fact they already arranged for check out time and I’ve been contacted by the inventory check firm. 

They're lying to you. Expiration of the fixed term doesn't end the contract, it just means that the LL can then start the (very long) process to get a court order for eviction. Please read...

Ending/renewing an AST

theartfullodger

Just say no, thank you.

Landlord is being stupid.  IMHO he's likely to get a better price if he sells with vacant possession (before viewing. starts) and having done any repairs or redecorating.  And he's no idea when you'll leave: or what state the place will be in or what you'll helpfully explain to viewers is wrong with the place.

A wise landlord would have offered a rent reduction (say 50 %) if you permit viewings.

And landlords say they don't know why they have such a bad reputation.

Mimi123456

Thank you everyone. That’s helpful to know. I definitely don’t want to overstay and get into service notice situation with the landlord and the lettings agency. So I’ll be leaving next month. Even though no idea where to go as I keep losing all apartments to people who somehow managed to get there first and put an deposit through Maybe will have to find a short let while I find something.

With viewings at my current place I’m inclined not to give access or maybe just set aside one hour per week. I’m WFH and looking for a new place already requires sometimes running off in the middle of the day. luckily my manager is understanding of the situation. 

If I also have people walking around in my house whilst im trying to work this would take me over the edge. 

theoretica

Is the EA selling the same as handles the letting?  In that case I would strongly suggest they are very helpful in finding you somewhere new.

canaldumidi

Mimi123456 said:

...I definitely don’t want to overstay and get into service notice situation with the landlord and the lettings agency. So I’ll be leaving next month. Even though no idea where to go as.......

Well just bear in mind when the time comes that you have every right to stay.

Drawingaline

Why stress about it all. Just tell the landlord that you aren't moving as t the end of the fixed term and wait for them to correctly give you notice. This will buy you some time, and you can honestly turn down viewings because you aren't moving. Keep looking for somewhere to rent, when you find somewhere then YOU give notice and move out then.

That way you are not holding up the sale too long, but don't have the landlords end of term deadline (that isn't a deadline anyway) and the pressure is off you. The landlord and EA know this is the case.

Polite reply to EA, sorry no viewings I am not planning on moving out right now. However I may do if I can find somewhere, do you have anything suitable to rent. 

Mimi123456

theoretica said:

Is the EA selling the same as handles the letting?  In that case I would strongly suggest they are very helpful in finding you somewhere new.

Yes it’s the same estate agent. I asked them to help me find something new and registered with them as looking but they haven’t been helpful at all. Actually mostly ignoring when I tried to contact them about a place I saw on their website. 

This seems a bit strange to me as I think I’ve been a good tenant. Paying rent, being patient with repairs and keeping the place nice and clean. I guess there is such a lack of supply of rental flats in London now that no one cares about keeping a ‘known’ tenant on their books. there will always be ten others standing in line for a place