To complain to this guy's boss?

[PetiteRaleuse]

We lived in a rented property and will be shortly moving out. The estate agency obviously need to let potential tenants look round. By law over here they have to give 24 or 48 hours notice (can't remember) and they prefer me to be there as we have an overly friendly dog to be kept from licking visitors to death. Fine. Up until now I have always made myself available, answered questions, been generally nice and helpful and understanding even when there have been cock ups and they have arrived hours earlier than I expected.

At 9.30 this morning I got a call from the bloke from the agency which went something like this:

• Good morning, I'm just calling to remind you there will be a visit at 15.30 this afternoon

• Eh? This is the first I know about it, the house is a tip

• But we spoke about it last week Madame, have you forgotten?

• No, we absolutely didn't speak about it last week

• Hmm I'm sure we did, but you must have misunderstood. Are you in this afternoon?

• Yes that's not the point

• Well we'll see you this afternoon then, bye bye

Right, if the bloke had phoned all apologetic and said he fucked up, should have called me last week and forgot, can I be available this afternoon, I'd have said yes, of course, and made the place all shiney.

As it is he tried to pretend we had had a conversation, made out I was forgetful at best, stupid at worst, and didn't apologise.

It is his boss who will be bringing the tenants round this afternoon. AIBU to (a) complain, (b) not do the sodding housework and (c) remind them of their obligation to give 24 or 48 hours' notice (I have to look it up)?

Or am I over-reacting?

Ring them back and tell them to piss off

Just don't tidy up, then tell his boss it's because you weren't given enough notice. It's not your responsibility to try and rent it for them again anyway. Nobber. (That's the agent, not you).

i would go out!

It's not reeds rains is it? When we had our house on the market I got a phone call one dark winters evening.

"your viewer is outside but scared of the dogs."

Me: "what viewer? The house is a disaster and we are all slobbish out watching kids films."

" we'll we did book viewer in last week you know."

Me: "no you didn't, she can come in if she wants but you are useless and condescending."

If you go out will they do it anyway?

Shocking! I've had this experience on a few occassions.

As OneOfMyTurns.. said, ring them back and tell them to piss off.

i would go out :)

Ring back, ask to speak to his boss now & make your complaint.

Yes, ring boss and let him know you wont be able to accept the viewing today because of lack of notice. You don't have to be angry about it, just matter-of-fact.

OK I'm not being unreasonable then I see :)

It's not Reeds Rains - I'm abroad.

Won't a complaint be better face to face?

If I go out I don't know if they can do the visit - not sure if they have keys. If they do it would be a disaster - I have two indoor cats which they would no doubt let out (not a good idea so close to the move) and the dog really is extremely friendly. Not humping leg friendly, more welcome wee on your foot friendly, lick you to death and jump up and knock you over friendly. When people come round he is always put outside for five minutes to calm down and get used to the idea of friends being there.

And if I ring back and say no, when I have already agreed doesn't that make me petty?

DH has reminded me that I can insist on proper notice and that all visits take place within a set two hour slot - maybe I will tell the boss this afternoon that from now on she can only show people round between 18h and 20h with due notice...

I'm really angry -the tone of the bloke's voice was just so patronising and rude.

Can't you just let them look round but don'tbother tidying up etc?

If you are going to let them come, then I would put a complaint in writing to them.

YANBU. Call them back and talk to a manager/supervisor. (I don't think it needs to be face to face). Explain that you agreed initially because you were pressured and on the back foot but that a viewing won't be possible because they didn't give you proper notice. I wouldn't say 'because it's not convenient for me'; it doesn't matter if it would be convenient or not ? the point is they must give you notice. Then tell the manager exactly who you spoke to, what he said (quote him) and how you felt about his actions and his tone of voice.

And yes, if it suits you, give them a time slot within which you'll permit visits, and insist that they stick to it.

Definitely not going to bother tidying up. Shame - the grass was cut at the weekend and the dog has trailed loads of cut grass in. I really wanted to hoover it up but I might have to wait until after the visit.

OneofMyTurns good idea - thanks - I will make a written complaint.

I'm worried they'll find reasons to withhold my deposit if I am not co-operative. It's two month's rent so worth having back.

I don't know what country you're in, so what exactly the law is, but surely they can't withhold your deposit because you don't 'cooperate' with unreasonable or even illegal demands?

I would absolutely refuse this particular visit.

I'm really angry at him trying to make me doubt my memory / sanity. It's not only unprofessional but twattish.

Put your complaint in writing and hand it to the boss when he comes to do the viewing.

Lady no they couldn't withhold my deposit based on this, but, for example, they could be extra nitpicky when we do the exit 'interview' and try and keep back bits of the deposit her and ther for, I dunno, limescale on the loo or something. She has already reminded me that the dead branches on the plum tree need to be removed, and that the weed (singular) at the front needs to be dug up (I know!) They wouldn't win because I'm actually quite good at quoting tenant law at them, and the inventory on arrival was shoddily done. I's just a conflict I could really do without at the moment.

i would be in and facilitate viewing, but dont clean up. And make a complaint in writing and tell them in the future without 24-48 hours notice, you wont facilitate viewings

if you dont let them in/go out....you'll only have to do it another time. No point cutting your nose of to spite your face

But you didn't agree, did you? You objected and he steamrollered all over you. I'd call his boss and calmly explain what has happened, and tell them you expect the appointment to be rearranged in the proper way.

I'd ring back and say you have checked (with others who live there?) and it was definitely not booked last week, so you'd be happy to arrange something for wednesday.
make the nobber have to ring the client back and change the appt.