To wish I had said no to this house inspection.

[lollilou]

We have been given notice to quit from our lovely rented home. It belongs to the church and they want it back for a new vicar.
My agent has rung and asked if I will allow some church members to visit tomorrow to see what repairs/redecoration will need to be done after we move.
I felt put on the spot and said yes but now I'm not feeling happy about it. We still have six weeks so we have not packed a thing so they won't be able to see everything behind our furniture, pictures ect,the windows need a wash which we will do before we move, there is a spot of hairdye in the bathroom that I will sort out and many more little bits and bobs.
They have already been in once to show the new vicar his new home.
I just feel fed up we haven't found another place either and my stress levels are rising!
AIBU to ring the agents and say actually no they can wait till we've moved out?

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

Oh, you finally realized the 'my bad' was a joke? Well, better late than never!

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

lol, honestly, you're totally normal, don't let it get to you.

To put it in context, I was in my last rental place for nearly five years and the owners wanted us to stay. I think I accepted a visit scheduled within the same week all of twice - the other times (and there were lots) I was simply busy. It is totally normal. I had no evidence the letting agents who worked for the LL, or the LL themselves, minded at all. When we moved out the LL scheduled visits around what worked for us. We actually got a reference from them for our new place saying what helpful tenants we were as we were always prepared to reschedule.

The idea that is is somehow unusual and rude to feel you actually can't make a meeting, or to cancel one meeting out of many, is really peculiar.

[LadyBryan]

LRDY you've made my afternoon. So funny

[lollilou]

We are not "horrible tenants" I can't believe that you would write that, you got that from my posts really? Please explain, because that has upset me.

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

You really must read up on the basics of tenancy law before you have tenants again.

Perhaps you will learn that your immense sense of self importance is not totally justified? You see - I know it's a shock - we don't have a serf system any more!

It's almost like ... sorry, this will be upsetting ... you're actually renting out a house.

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

Oh, bless you.

[SelectAUserName]

"Horrible tenants"? For saying "yes", having a moment of regret and then going ahead with the inspection anyway despite the intrusion of privacy and disruption to her day?

If that's your definition of "horrible", littlewhitebag , you need to get out more.

[LadyBryan]

They didn't staffie99 - they were a friend who we did a favour for (all above board, all legal documentation in place). They left owing us £4000 unpaid rent (by the time we had them thrown out by bailiffs) and the property wrecked. No irony at all.

I am of the mindset that a great tenant-landlord relationship should be one of mutual respect. That includes allowing reasonable access when required.

[staffie99]

But you see my last tenant took the piss, so no longer will I do anything other than the bare minimum I'm legally required to do.

Perhaps the tenants took the piss because they had a shite landlord in the past, or did that irony pass you by?



Anyway OP just to clarify, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ALLOW ANYONE ACCESS TO YOUR HOME - your landlord gives up right of access in exchange for rent. If it's not convenient for you then just say no. If they harass you you can take it to the police.

There are a lot of misinformed people on this thread saying the landlord has right of access with 24 hours notice (what, even if you are on holiday?), that's bollocks, it doesn't matter if it's in your contract, your typical AST is full of unenforceable crap which is reflective of the collection of amateurs and get-rich-quick clowns who jumped on the buy-to-let bandwagon in recent times, and the lack of government regulation of private rentals.

[littlewhitebag]

You sound like horrible tenants. We rented a house. At the point we decided to put it on the market instead (renters knew this would happen at some point) they allowed the estate agents to value it and take photos with their furniture in it. We were allowed access (by arrangement) to do a pre leaving inspection (it was looking better than we had left it). After all it was in their interests to get their deposit back and get a good reference for their next place.
It doesn't seem unreasonable for them to be looking at what is needed to be done so they can make plans for the renovations once you have moved out.

[LadyBryan]

I must admit I'm giggling a bit at your righteous indignation

[LadyBryan]

I don't know what I'm realing from more - your general tone or the fact that someone who is - I presume - an adult uses the phrase "my bad".

Yes of course it is my role - my point was I didn't have to, but did it as a bit of genuine human kindness and decency. Clearly a tricky concept.

But yes, decent LL when treated well by my tenants I was exceedingly generous - extra months from free, payment plans when struggling with rent, conducted any repairs immediately and without hassle for the tenant. Indeed how dreadful I am.

But you see my last tenant took the piss, so no longer will I do anything other than the bare minimum I'm legally required to do.

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

Oh, sorry, I didn't realize there was a decent LL leaving.

I thought it was just you.

My bad.

You do get that it's part of your job as a LL to sort out access, right? Not some huge favour?

Do you write 'must lick my boots' into your contracts too?

[LadyBryan]

lollilou - my point was that although the property was empty, I took time out of my day to travel to the property to allow people access.

LRDY - yes imagine, one less decent LL, I'm sure tenants are thrilled!

I'm sure we'll buy homes again to rent out - just be even more stringent with who we will rent to!

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

Doubtless tenants the world over are glad too, LB.

Best of luck lolli.

If they do make remarks I think it'd be perfectly ok to comment pointedly that you are rather busy getting ready to move and don't at all mind taking the time to let them look around. That might make them think a moment.

[lollilou]

Sunnymeg This house has always been a vicars house and the front door leads into a hallway that has a door to the study which was his office and can be shut off from the main house. We actually had our wedding instruction where I am sitting right now!
LadyBryan you said "When we sold out rental which was then empty " I don't quite understand, totally different from my situation surely? I've never looked at a rental home that was had tenants in situ either and I have looked at a lot.
sparechange Yes the agent is our letting agent and your point is what has made me hesitate.
Thanks for all your replies I am going to go ahead with the viewing. They just better not make any remarks (such as your windows need doing) as my emotions might get the better of me

[sparechange]

Is the agent you mentioned a letting agent?
Is there a chance you might use them again to let through?
If so, bear in mind that they may factor how obliging/awkward you are with this property if you use them again in the future, or the landlord might include it in any reference your next landlord asks for?

[LadyBryan]

Makes me glad we no longer own rentals.

My next project is a holiday home. Much easier - you only have to deal with people for a fortnight

[LadyBryan]

Maybe I'm more reasonable than you then as I wouldn't see a problem with them visiting! When we sold out rental which was then empty our agents did the first viewing then we did a second viewing then we showed her parents around. Wouldn't have occurred to me to object.

When we bought this place I requested access to measure up and wasn't denied it. I would have thought its pretty normal to be honest.

[PerilsAsinger]

LadyBryan - the new occupant has already seen his new home. That's the point. This is another visit by other people.

[LadyBryan]

PerilsAsinger - chances are the OP will view the next home they rent....and chances are it won't be standing empty just waiting for them!

[LadyBryan]

Unless her house is an absolute hoarder's paradise with wall-to-wall crap believe me, it is fine!

[LRDYaDumayuIThink]

Oh, I'm not sure lady.

[PerilsAsinger]

Whoever you are renting from, whether it be church or brothel, you would have the same rights.

I think it's very unreasonable for them to expect you to accommodate "some church members" to check what needs doing for the next resident. Would you expect to do that for the next home you rent or buy? Totally unreasonable and I would say it's not convenient.

[Sunnymeg]

It may be that the new Vicar has requested that some work be done to the property and the fabric or relevant committee want to come and view themselves about the property so they can consider this.

FIL was a Vicar and when DH was growing up, he always insisted that he had a separate area to talk to people if they came to the Vicarage, well away from the family. At one house, they installed a separate door and corridor into FIL's study. At another they erected a large shed at the bottom of the garden.

Such requests are considered quite normal in these circles.