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?

Can you use old photos?

Under the circumstances it’s fair enough that they’re saying no. You could offer a rent reduction and in return they agree to go and stand in the garden/go out for a walk whilst the agent does photos and a video tour. If they’re shielding and they can’t do that then instead you could ask them to do the photos and film a tour themselves. Alternatively you could advertise the flat with the photos taken last time it was rented- this seems to fairly common in London as I’ve personally come across it more than once.

You should not be a landlord if you cannot afford a void period between tenants

They have the right to refuse viewings and such stuff while they are still resident. Leave them alone.

A lot of agents are doing online viewings. If we are talking about viewings at the end of July, they are being a bit unreasonable as lots of places will be open again by then

What does your tenancy agreement state? Usually tenants have to give access if adequate notice is given.

Your agreement most likely allows you to access for marketing, but as others have suggested if they will take some photos or film a video, I think most viewings are still remote at this point

yabvvvvu to expect your tenants to let anyone into their homes at a time like this.

they can take photos for you. they won't be perfect but you will just have to suck that up, it's a small inconvenience for you vs their feeling unsafe in their home, which is not acceptable.

Thanks all - I have checked the tenancy agreement and it does allow access if 24 hours notice is provided. I understand their concerns however would prefer some professional photos to be taken

@TARSCOUT What does your tenancy agreement state? If it states access with 24 hours notice then give them that notice they can still refuse.

@ilikepurple they can refuse. They don't have to give access unless it's an emergency such as a gas leak.

@ilikepurple @PowerStruggle doesn't matter what the tenancy agreement says, or how much notice is given, tenants still have legal rights to privacy in their home.

No tenant has to give access, whether its in the contract or not. You’ll have to wait until they leave. They are entitled to quiet enjoyment of their home. Which is what is is, their home.

They're paying you for quiet enjoyment - they do not have to let anyone in.

Especially now you are being extremely unreasonable not just accepting they've said no.

I own my house and no one is coming inside, not even my OH (locked down separately) so if I was renting there would be no way an agent or potential renters would be coming in.

It took long enough to make it feel CV FREE & a place I didn't have to worry about touching anything - no way would I have strangers ruining that!

I would happily take photos/video for you though and if there was a person who you were happy with (Done all checks etc) & definitely wanted to take it, conditional on viewing, I would show them around - if they agreed to wear a mask & gloves (I'd provide them).

But agents, others NOPE.

I have checked the tenancy agreement and it does allow access if 24 hours notice is provided

Awesome! Another landlord who doesn't know the law. This clause means nothing - they can still refuse. Which they have. Back off.

X-Posts. All saying the same thing. Please leave them alone, op.

"Access" will be for mandatory visits eg. Inspections, gas checks etc

Not so the landlord can catch a stride on marketing

@Newhouse76 the tenancy agreement doesn't override their rights. You can request access, they can refuse.

Btw, I am a landlord myself

i think you should respect that. I'm sure you have made plenty plenty of profit off them and co soldering the small matter of a pandemic you can not try to send anyone into their home and suck up a month or two vacant .

I can't believe you would even suggest this atm. People can't have friends or family round, why on earth would they allow total strangers in?

Use the photos from the last time it was let.

Wow. That clause means with their agreement.

They are shielding and you want to force them to have people traipsing though what is currently their home, their safe private space?

You’re not being a decent human being.

Sorry you will have to accept the answer is no

Either use old photos, allow them to take the photos for you, or wait until they move out

You don’t have a choice

My landlord wanted to put our home up for sale before we moved out. I refused photos and they just used the photos from the advert that were taken before we rented the property.
I also refused viewings because it was my home at the time.

@anyfucker even inspections can't go ahead without the tenant's permission. Gas checks are a legal requirement but even so, the landlord needs permission to enter. They could only enter without if they have taken all reasonable steps to gain permission and can prove it.

They’re in the right here OP

Yes, you are right @CodenameVillanelle

Which makes op even more unreasonable