Is the letting agent being an absolute twat here?

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

Any advice appreciated. Not the most exciting AIBU but I'm really pissed off.

Gave notice on our flat. Have six weeks left in tenancy. Landlady lives abroad so we deal with letting agent who has been up until now ok (apart from the time he told us off about the washing up when he he came round to look at the bathroom and when he entered the flat randomly to measure up something saying he thought we'd gone on holiday)

Now, understandably they don't want a gap in the tennants but they put the poky flat with awful plumbing and no storage space on at £1100 (London zone 3) so there's been quite a slow take on it. They made the photos look good though so people want to veiw it. That's ok, we've tried to be flexible BUT the letting agent was texting and saying 'can I block book 6-8pm on Wednesday night' or 'can I do a viewing this lunchtime?' I mean, we live here. All our stuff is here. We are still paying rent here. No consideration to any of that but as we were going to be out of the flat for three week nights last week I offered those. Letting agent could only do one. No takers.

Asked to book a viewing at 9am on this Saturday morning. I said no, (we are out at a party tonight and I don't fancy getting up early to tidy and vacate on a weekend) BUT you can do it when we go out for lunch at 12. Can't do that so now apparently we have 'jeapordised the chances of re letting a flat for refusing to let them in on Saturday)

Anyway, after reading up on a few tennants rights etc, I found the 'right to quiet enjoyment law' which actually means we could refuse viewings altogether if we so chose. I also know that he has to give us 24 hours notice of he wishes to access and we have to give permission unless it's an emergency. So I emailed him quite a balanced and fair email this morning, saying that viewing times need to be worked around us and not the other way around, and offered him a couple of days next week.

He's sent one back and I'm livid but DP is saying take a step back for now before we respond.

Just going to work out how to blur names then will screenshot the emails.

How to respond? I think he's wrong. He states that he has every right to access the property. I am sure that's not correct but DP is worried we've rocked the boat now.

[BackieJerkhart]

What has he responded?

[BackieJerkhart]

Sorry, I skim read. No he doesn't have "every right" to access the property. The only people who can access the property without your permission are the police with a warrant. The agent is trying it on. Take a breather then email back Remind him of your rights and offer him the same nights you have already offered as these are the only dates that are suitable.

[silkybear]

They need to give 24 hours notice minimum and you have every right to refuse. If you wanted to you could turn down every viewing for the next 6 weeks and they can market it once you have gone. Landlords sometimes have gaps in rental income, it is the risk you take. Agent sounds like a tosspot. Also not sure why he is saying they have lost a potential viewer as if it is your problem. Its not!

[BackieJerkhart]

Btw, what is your DH concerned about? You are leaving, it's not like you can be kicked out.

[StormTreader]

Landlords would love for the "right to quiet enjoyment" to stop applying once tenants have given their notice, but it applies right up until your last day of the tenancy.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Be as difficult as you like. It's your home for the next 6 weeks. As I understand it they have no rights to enter your home, and if you let them have viewings then you are doing them a massive favour.

[Afreshstartplease]

You definitely can say no. You are being reasonable by giving days and times they can come. When we moved from our last rental I ended up telling the letting agent no more viewings in the week we were moving it was too chaotic.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Let us see the email so we can help with a response.

[Cocklodger]

I'm a landlady, I no longer live in the uk but rent out 3 properties there.

I do not have the right to enter a tenants house without 24hrs notice. They do have the right to reschedule although I'm not sure how far this right extends (short of emergency I've never given less than a fortnights notice).

I do not have the right to conduct viewings in a tenants house or have someone else do it for me. I can ask for this, but they have the right to refuse.

I would have the right to enter (or EAs on my behalf) for a final inspection and exit inventory - with appropriate notice.

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

That's the gist of mine firstly

[Comedyusername]

What does your contract say? I think our old one mentioned viewings. But don't sweat it, you'll be out of there soon and your deposit can't be reduced because you weren't available for viewings

[AdalindSchade]

They do not have the right to enter the property and you don't have to agree to viewings.

God I HATE letting agents.

[AdalindSchade]

Why is your response so long and waffly? 'No, sorry that's not convenient, you can come at x time' is enough

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

That was an email today after many succint emails over the last week

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

From letting agent

[DontTouchTheMoustache]

Can't see any screenshots but just state again that they don't have the right to enter without your permission (might help to quote or reference the statute) and that if he is not prepared to work around you then you will not allow any viewings whatsoever while you live there. If he is still being an obnoxious little.git speak to shelter or CAB for advice

[AdalindSchade]

my blood is boiling for you!

[ChelleDawg2020]

You have the right to refuse. He is obliged to give 24 hours notice and you are allowed to decline. Depending on your tenancy agreement, you may technically be obliged to allow access upon notice - however, to enforce this he would need to take you to court and apply to get you evicted, a process that would take many weeks, certainly longer than you are going to be living there, by which time it would be irrelevant.

You have been more than reasonable by suggesting times when the flat is available for viewings; it is up to the agent to find potential tenants who can make those viewings.

[Willow2017]

Sounds a right pratt. Who doesn tleave washing up on occaision (or more , not a huge deal at all.

And no he cannot enter your home without permission (unless its for an emergency like a gas leak) and needs to give 24 hr notice and only if you agree.

He is being a bully to try to get the place rented asap thats not your problem, its his.

If he cannot agree to timeslots then tell him to shove it until you leave. No way would I be bending over backwards for this idiot who doesnt appear to know his own rules and regs.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Have you got your contract? ? I'd reply and include the quotes which underline your case.

[gamerpigeon]

If you are going into rented accommodation after this then bear in mind you will need a reference from them. It's short time disruption so I don't think it's worth taking a stand on principle, even though it is annoying.

I stayed in the property when the agent was doing viewings, I don't think you need to leave. You don't even need to make it tidy as long as they can see in all the rooms.

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

My blood is boiling! I took real care to draft a pretty measured and fair email this morning.

I think DP is worried about the huge deposit and them being difficult about what they take off (two years worth of wear and tear we haven't exactly wrecked the place!) and pussivky a reference.

[OnionKnight]

Just tell them to get to fuck, there's nothing they can do.

[Papafran]

Can you screenshot his email? He sounds like a fucker. He KNOWS that he does not have the right to enter the flat without permission.
Is this a chain like Foxtons, Kfh etc? Because Foxtons are an utter joke (it was the overpriced rent that made me think it was them).
Stand your ground, email his boss to complain, refuse to let him in. I HATE letting agents so much (and I own my own house).

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

What a dickhead though. You're hardly likely to try and help him after receiving that email. No one would!