Please can I moan about my landlord / estate agent?

[NotMuchJustAQuantum]

This could be an AIBU but I'm not brave enough.

We've bought a house (hooray) and are moving out of a rental we've been in for 18m. We've given notice as per our contract (2 calendar months) which is up at the end of this week.

The requirements they've given us for viewings are that the property should be "immaculate"; and ideally empty or if not empty then only one adult in one room. They've laid this on VERY thick, including writing to us after some viewings to remind us the property needs to be 'immaculate'. Generally they are quite intense and I feel unreasonably demanding / rude in their communication.

We have a baby and 5yo full time at home. Obviously it's lockdown so I can't take them anywhere except out for a walk. Life is generally messy, particularly meal times. We tend to do the full tidy up once they're in bed. We really aren't grubby; everything is clean, it just gets messy during the day.

DH is wfh full time; me pt and I'm also doing a Masters which is online.

I've offered 10-5 every day for viewings; including weekends. I just can't guarantee to have the house immaculate after breakfast and the kids out the house before 10, and kids struggle if main meal is much later than 5. This weekend (our last 2 days in the house) I've said no viewings because I have full days of confidential online workshops for my course, and we have contractors coming in to clean / clean carpets etc.

I've had two ranty emails from them saying how unreasonable I am and how the 'excessive restrictions' I'm placing on viewings are preventing them from being able to re-let the flat.

They are out of line, right? Or should I really be bending even further to accommodate them?!

England - of course they are out of line. Just point them at the the 'how to rent' guide that you were issued (you were issued, right?') at the start of the tenancy and tell them to read that. When you read it again you will see the same.

as you are leaving so soon and there is a pandemic, tell them that viewings can now wait until you have left. Their only remedy to you stopping access is to take you to court - not happening in four days!

and no, this is not a reason to deduct from your deposit.

I'm a landlord. We are regulated. Agents are not.

Don't bend over at all to accommodate them!

You don't have to allow any viewings at all if you don't want to. You're the one doing them a favour here, they should be grateful to you for that.

If it was me I think I would just tell them we've tried to be accommodating but it's really not possible with our work and study commitments so we will not be able to allow any more viewings for the rest of our tenancy.

They'll be annoyed, but who cares? You're buying your own house, you don't need to keep letting agents on side anymore.

Thank you. I think I did have a vague idea that it's not enforceable but I was trying to be reasonable because I don't put it past them to make the return of our deposit as complicated as possible.

I read the guide, @murbblurb - couldn't see anything about viewings in there...?

If they are being arsey, make sure to take loads of pictures before leaving once it's empty and clean. Just to prove how you have left it.

Absolutely unreasonable. Been there, done that! Your landlord doesn’t give a single shit about you and you realise that once they want to sell/let the property. Stick to your guns.

Tell them to get to fuck. No more viewings until you leave you have a right to quiet enjoyment

how to rent England includes under the list of things the landlord MUST do:

"Seek your permission to access your home and give at least 24 hours’ notice of proposed visits for things like repairs and those visits should take place at reasonable times – neither the landlord nor the letting agent is entitled to enter your home without your express permission."

viewings are not explicitly mentioned but it doesn't matter.

same as if you owned the place - no-one comes in without your permission unless they have a legal override. 'get to fuck' is quite a good response.

if they dick about with the deposit, just raise a dispute with the scheme concerned. You should have been told which one that was. If it wasn't protected, you can sue them.

I wouldn't allow viewings while you are still occupying the property.

In usual times because of their shitty attitude and now, because I wouldn't let random people traipse through my house breathing their germs everywhere.

"Due to the pandemic " im afraid I cannot grant you access at this time

If they press it point out you have superspreader children on the premises at all times

Refuse all viewings. You have legal right to quiet enjoyment of your property. If they say you are in breach of contract tell them to take you to court. Take photos of absolutely everything before you leave.

If you don't like confrontation and it's only for this week then tell them you all have COVID

Just tell them that you have covid symptoms and are isolating until you get your test results (which will just happen to be negative the day you move out).

Knock that right on the head. It is not your concern if they cannot let straight away. I wouldn't allow one more viewing. You are still paying rent for your home! Some landlords still think it's the bad old days when they could do as they liked

Take photos of absolutely everything before you leave

Yes this! If they do viewings after you’re gone you don’t want to be held responsible for grubby carpets caused by people traipsing through. Your deposit should be registered with the DPS, so they’re limited in how difficult they can be about returning it.

Film too make sure its date stamped if you get any professional in to clean get a receipt as proof

You do not have to allow any viewings! Look up Shelter and read through their conditions of renting. The law is on your side for this.
They can't ask you to leave the house immaculate. As long as everything is clean and tidy that is enough. They also can't ask for a "professional" clean anymore,
As others have said, take photos of everything [ date stamped ], make sure you have taken meter readings the day you leave.

They are being incredibly unreasonable.

Only thing I can really add here is just think forward to how wonderful it will be when you are in YOUR home and won't have to deal with a real estate agent ever again if you don't want to!

I moved into my 'forever home' a year and a half ago and still get joy when I think of that.. And the fact that I could finally throw out the moving boxes!

@FedUpAtHomeTroels

If they are being arsey, make sure to take loads of pictures before leaving once it's empty and clean. Just to prove how you have left it.

This. I cannot stress how important this is!

I am a LL.

While you’re there, you have the legal right to ‘quiet enjoyment’, which does not include random strangers traipsing round, or having to keep the place immaculate for them!

I suspect that your LL knows all this but feels entitled to bully you. It’s possible that the agent is not aware, but from experience they can be decidedly thick, not to mention clueless.

S/he will just have to wait a couple of weeks.

Stop allowing viewings. They have taken the piss and worn out your good will. Wankers!