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 can only assume OP had PMs if she says people are being vile, because I can only see people here advising that she can't override the law.

I rent, and the only person I've allowed in the house recently was the plumber doing the gas safety check. He called me up and asked if I would be able to allow access, and we came to an agreement on how to do this safely.

I'm not going to let anyone else into the house (although next door has asked if we can allow someone in the garden to maintain the hedging, fine by me).

Normally when accidental landlords say they're losing money on a property like this, what they actually mean is that they've got a repayment mortgage and the rent doesn't cover both the interest and repayment parts of the mortgage. They're not really losing money, as that money is paying off equity, it's just costing them more than they would like.

“Have they explained why?”

Seriously?

Assuming you're in the UK, they don't have to allow viewings or do anything and neither the contract nor your financial situation alter this. You might want to not use whoever drew up that contract again, as it seems they don't know the law.

Your best bet, I think, is to accept that you're not getting professional quality photos done before they move out and ask if they would be willing to take some themselves as a favour.

I'm a landlord too, if I had sold I would have made a loss, so I have to rent. But like other posters have said, you have no rights to enter the property unless it's an emergency or the tenants give permission.
Did they decide to leave or have you asked them to? Perhaps if it has been your decision and you explain the situation they would be willing to take some pictures as other posters have suggested. It might not be perfect, but life in lockdown isn't perfect and the tenants may have health concerns to consider.

I’m moving out and have done a video for the letting agent.

I wish landlords would understand the seriousness of what they are undertaking. Renting out your property isn’t just a convenient way of getting out of a tricky financial position - you are providing a fundamental service to people and this, rightly, comes with very important legal responsibilities.

Landlords shouldn’t be seeking what is, in effect, legal advice for their business on a parenting website and only when prompted on here actually checking the tenancy agreement that is in place. Even more than that, they should actually understand the law that covers the business they are running.

I have never been a landlord, I haven’t rented for over twenty years, and I know about “quiet enjoyment”. I am constantly amazed at the number of landlords who come on here who are completely ignorant of it. It crops up quite frequently.

@Asdf12345 I can’t tell if you’ve got a really dry sense of humour or you actually keep guns?

Don't think the OP is listening. We used to change the lock barrels when were renting, totally legal, due to agents with viewers taking the piss coming in with no notice, showing up with no notice, later raking us over the coals for having boxes about and the place 'untidy', due to being in the middle of moving. Agents would try to guilt us, LL can't afford it! Not our fucking problem, we are still paying full rent.

I would ask them to take pictures for you. I doubt prospective buyers would mind. Your wish to take professional photos does not trump their right to keep safe in the midst of a Pandemic.

As a landlord I’m firmly on the tenants’ side here. They’re still paying the rent and as such are legally entitled to ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their home, which IMO does not include random people traipsing around it, with the loss of privacy that entails.

Some LLs offer a reduced rent for allowing viewings, which may go down well, but personally I think photos and viewings should wait until tenants have left.

@Newhouse76 you mean you aren't covering repayments on your mortgage. that's not losing money.

Tenants are in the right. They do not have to allow access even if you give them 24 hours notice they can still refuse. They have a right to quiet enjoyment.
You will have to wait until they move out.

You should read up on tenants and landlords rights too.