Tenants dont want to allow access for viewings

[Newhouse76]

Im not sure how best to deal with this. My lovely tenants are moving out of my rental flat in July and I would like to advertise this through the agent to relet it.

The tenants are not happy for the agent to visit the property to take photographs for the website, or to allow any viewings. They have askes that the agent confirms that they will not enter the property.

I dont want to be insensitive however I cant afford to wait for them to leave before I put the flat up for rent.
They really have been lovely and accommodating tenants and they have sent me a lovely note though.
Any ideas how to deal with this tactfully?

I don't blame them.

Leave them be.

One of my friends is in a rented flat and her LL is selling, he has asked her to do a video walk thorough so he can offer virtual tours.

Could you ask them to do something similar?

Could they take decent photos for you? And allow zoom viewings or something? Obviously that involves some effort on their part but would seem a compromise?

I won’t be letting anyone into my home anytime soon so I don’t blame them tbh.

Can the tenants take photos and upload them to you or the agent and the agent can arrange virtual viewings.

Unfortunately you might be a bit stuck.

Ask why and explore the matter. They may be amenable to a financial carrot if it is hasstle related, or they may be completely without choice if for instance they have firearms or the like stored there and access has to be controlled.

Global pandemic much?
Use old photos or ask them to take some and send them to you

I would 100% dp the exact same in there shoes.
Have you checked if any of tjem are sheilding or have health conditions.
They have a right to be safe in their own home. And they would not be if there are people in and out the house during a pandemic.
You could ask them to take pitures and email them to you as a compromise

I think considering the circumstances, they have a right to say they don’t want random people in their home. I would try to persuade them to allow just the agents to come round for pictures and film for a virtual viewing, but not expect them to have prospective tenants. The agents can tell them what precautions they will take so that cross infection can’t happen.

Hopefully they’d be happy with that compromise and then you won’t have to start from scratch when they move out.

Any ideas how to deal with this tactfully?

They’ve said no so that’s the end of it.

You could ask them to take photos/videos themselves but they don’t have to.

Of course they don't want to allow anyone in! Why should they?

You'll have to wait til they move out.

Last time we were given notice we checked with our local police force what their stance was (firearms in house) then told our landlord no visits, estate agents, viewing etc without our presence and that at the slightest evidence this was not being followed we would have to change the locks.

To be fair our landlord wasn’t easy to deal with, had she been pleasant we would have offered a few weeks in storage at her expense.

I wouldn't want people in my home right now either so I don't think they are being unreasonable.

Just appreciate their wishes. Ask them to take some photos and accept you might have an empty month, which is just part of being a landlord really. I don't believe that tenants have to accept people coming in to view when they are resident, although obviously it's helpful when they do.

I also think potential renters will understand if they can't go and see the flat till they've moved out, given the current situation.

Have you offered them a rent reduction for their inconvenience and invasion of privacy?

You basically want them to help you make more money as a favour.

Maybe they don't want people to find out they are moving.

I think you are going to have to wait until they move out.

I don't blame them

There’s nothing to ‘deal with’. They’ve said no.

Are you in England? If so They have the legal right to refuse viewings, regardless of what your tenancy agreement or agent says. They’re entitled to “quiet enjoyment” of the property, and don’t have to allow you or the agent in at all.

So they’ve told you their position, and that’s it. There’s no way to “deal with this tactfully”.

You can try reusing photos from last time, and you can ask them to film a video showing the current condition, but they’re not obliged to do that.

You might just have to wait till they move out, and hope to find a new tenant ASAP.

They don’t have to let anyone in and I wouldn’t be keen on either my furniture and belongings photographed for publicity to rent out the flat or strangers traipsing through my home during a pandemic.

You’ve asked, they said no, that’s all there is to it. They have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their home.

I cant afford to wait for them to leave before I put the flat up for rent.

Then you can't afford to be a landlord.

They don't, legally speaking, have to allow people into their home for viewings that benefit you not them. To expect this in pandemic times is especially egregious.

What does your tenancy agreement state? If it states access with 24 hours notice then give them that notice. Could you perhaps use the previous images for marketing if not?

Fair enough. I'm not a cowering in my house person but I wouldn't want different groups of strangers bringing coronavirus into my home. They're moving out in July. They may be more comfortable with viewings in late June.