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AIBU?

Aibu to not let the estate agent hold viewings?

80 replies

LouLouLoupee · 10/02/2018 08:32

Posting on behalf of Dsis, we are in Scotland.

Dsis has been in her rental flat for 4.5 years. The LL is our cousin, everything is above board in regards to rental agreement, deposit etc.

Cousin has decided to sell the flat as a part exchange on a new build, Dsis has notice to quit and will be moving out mid March.

The house builders have instructed an estate agent to market and sell the property. Since being served the notice to quit Dsis has made the flat available for EA photos, surveys and safety certificates. This has been incredibly stressful for her as she works full time, is taking on overtime to help fund her move and has the added complication that she has a rescue dog that doesn't take well to strangers coming into the flat. She is also having to find time to view properties herself and get ready for moving.

The EA has been trying arrange viewings for the flat, but they are unable to find a mutually convenient time.

House builders are now threatening to pull out if access to the flat is 'not provided on a regular basis.' Obviously we don't want our cousin to lose out on his house, but really not sure what else Dsis can do. EA want a key to hold viewings while Dsis is out, but she isn't sure how the dog would react.

Has anyone else been through similar? We know her rights in terms of 'quiet enjoyment of the property' and allowing reasonable access with notice. But at what point does it become unreasonable?

OP posts:

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MrTrebus · 10/02/2018 08:34

Can she move to her new place any sooner? That's probably what I would do. If not I'd give them a key but make them sign a document that says they bring people around a nervous dog at their own risk through no fault of the tenant.

EnglandKeepMyBones · 10/02/2018 08:34

Giving the EA keys to enter the flat willy nilly would surely invalidate any contents insurance for starters? They are being completely unreasonable and I'd be furious if I were her.

Bluntness100 · 10/02/2018 08:34

I think if it's got to thr stage the builder is pulling out she's probably at unreasonable. This is her cousin so how much does she wish to sour the relationship

How many viewings have been given so far. I'd also look at maybe one or two set times a week. She can go to war with her cousin and lose them thr sale and deny access, but it's a bit shitty of her.

Bunbunbunny · 10/02/2018 08:36

Get someone to look after the dog during the day so they can have access. Ask if the cousin can help with a dog sitter

Bubblysqueak · 10/02/2018 08:36

We part exchanged our house and it was part of the contract that the house needed to be available for viewings. We also had a dog who went to my parents when I was working and expecting a viewing as it made life easier.
If it's anything like our part exchange, from agreeing the part exchange to move day was 6 weeks, they don't like to hang around.

DeathStare · 10/02/2018 08:37

Could the cousin not come round to let in anyone who needs to come in?

WhiteWalkersWife · 10/02/2018 08:38

She doesnt have to provide access at all, the contract idms overruled by the legal right to quiet enjoyment in your hkme. Additionally, if the dog did attack it certainly would have to be put to sleep even if not its fault. Its not worth the risk.

Its get this moved to legal OP and call CAB and Shelter.

Bunbunbunny · 10/02/2018 08:38

Giving keys to an EA does not invalidate contents insurance!!! How many properties are managed across the UK where the agents hold keys,!

WhiteWalkersWife · 10/02/2018 08:39

Sorry that dhould be that i would report your post op and ask mumsnet to move it to legal.

LittleBearPad · 10/02/2018 08:40

It’s pretty normal for estate agents to hold keys. I think she’s being a bit unreasonable.

They’ll just have to not bug the dog.

Mybabystolemysanity · 10/02/2018 08:41

It's what Bubblysqueak says. Your cousin needs to smooth this over with your sister. Not worth a family drama over.

araiwa · 10/02/2018 08:41

dsis ibu

the fact that the builders will pull out makes this obvious

BendingSpoons · 10/02/2018 08:42

As LL the cousin needs to facilitate viewings if she can't. When they can't find suitable times for viewings is she being fairly flexible? Are they being awkward e.g. daytime only?

PaperdollCartoon · 10/02/2018 08:43

Why does she need to be there? We’re moving and having viewings in our rental property at the moment, the estate agents have keys and they just come when we’re not here, either whilst we’re at work or one Saturday we popped out for a few hours. This is perfectly normal. We do say please be aware cats are here and not to let them out as it’s too cold at the moment. Could the dog spend the day somewhere else?

winterwonderly · 10/02/2018 08:44

If she's not able to be at the flat herself, then just take the hit and set up a couple of set times each week for viewings and pay a dog walker to come take the dog out for a walk at those times. Yes, it's going to cost a bit of money but it's not worth the drama.

AmberTopaz · 10/02/2018 08:48

It’s perfectly normal for the EA to have keys and arrange viewings. I can see the dog is a problem though. Tricky.

floriad · 10/02/2018 08:54

COuld she take the dog to work, to you, to her cousin, a dog pension for a few days?

KingLooieCatz · 10/02/2018 08:56

Moving house is a pain for everyone everywhere.

Everyone who ever sells a house has to go through all the surveying etc.

It is totally the norm for the EA to have keys.

samscott · 10/02/2018 09:04

As it’s your cousins house then he should accompany the viewings, ensuring everything is ok with your sisters dog and property.

SoupDragon · 10/02/2018 09:04

I didn’t think a tenant needed to allow viewings at all.

SoupDragon · 10/02/2018 09:05

Obviously as it is family then it would be best to work something out though. Can the LL take the dog out for a walk whilst a viewing it taking place?

Lovejoyfull · 10/02/2018 09:10

Could she not do viewings in the evenings ? Realistically how many viewings occur daily ? Viewings are sporadic there is hardly going to be a queue of prople! It’ll only be a few. She sounds miserable and obstinate. There are some selfish people out there.

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LynetteScavo · 10/02/2018 09:11

Just let the EA have the keys. It won't invalidate her insurance.

I doubt they'll get in the front door if the dog is is there, but she will have done her bit.

The cousin needs to help her out a bit by offering to do something with the dog, such as pay to go to a pet sitters for the day.

gingercat02 · 10/02/2018 09:13

Our EA had a key and did viewings (and sold the house 😁) while we were on holiday. Our cats were in a cattery so not complications. I would advise about the dog but let them do it

hidinginthenightgarden · 10/02/2018 09:15

I think the cousin should make themselves available for the viewings.

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