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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wish I had said no to this house inspection.

59 replies

lollilou · 16/07/2013 11:08

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?

OP posts:

gintastic · 16/07/2013 12:48

I think doing by the book is a fab landlord... At least then everyone knows the score!

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 16/07/2013 12:49

I'd probably not refuse myself, but I don't see the issue with the OP refusing if she feels stressed. It's not her property and she's not selling - one of the perks of renting is that you don't have the responsibility of selling it.

I think it's a good point to be aware that the LL might be flexibile if you go out of your way to help, though, OP.

maryann - erm, come on, she's not 'trying to be difficult', is she? She said yes straightaway and now wishes she hadn't.

Your suggestion of rearranging would be more 'difficult' for the owners, wouldn't it?

I think this thread is full of people wanting to have a row about tenancies without reading the OP and without realizing that neither she nor her LL seem to have done anything particularly awful or unusual, and without acknowledging it can probably be sorted out quite easily.

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 12:51

And one of the negatives of renting is that you have to leave when the Landlord wants you to

I'm not wanting to get into an argument at all, but given I'm qualified in this area and have personal experience I think its valid to comment

Original poster

lollilou · 16/07/2013 12:51

Wow lots of responses I've been cleaning the bathroom lol.
I don't feel I am being difficult about it, we have had an agents inspection and the vicar his wife and two church members come round to view which I agreed to.
I do feel a little upset by this though as I said before they won't be able to see everything that needs doing anyway and we leave at the end of August the new vicar moves in the beginning of October so plenty of time to come in then.
We have only been here a year and were given to believe that the church would never get a new vicar so it would be a long term home for our family. Well that's private renting for you I guess.

OP posts:

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 12:57

I know its really difficult lollilou. To be fair though, it could work in your favour to have an inspection whilst you're present. I presume you've got a deposit with them? Far easier to be there and note what they're looking at!

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 16/07/2013 12:58

lady - absolutely, I agree that's one of the negatives. I can understand the OP being upset by it.

There's no need to justify your experience - I'm only reading the OP, and curious why you think she's so wrong.

(What's with the 'wink' anyway? Is there some sort of exciting secrecy going on? )

loll - it's normal to feel upset when you have to leave, don't feel you have to apologise about it. I think everyone feels like that.

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 13:01

I just don't think to refuse when there isn't a really pressing reason is doing yourself any favours and being open and reasonable could really work in your favour.

I can totally understand the OP being upset but sadly thats a risk of renting, it can't be totally unexpected, whatever you've been told - circumstances change.

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 16/07/2013 13:06

Well, there's no one forcing you to refuse, is there?

Do what you like in your own circumstances.

But the whole point of knowing what's reasonable and what you're entitled to do, when you're a tenant, is to equip you to say 'no' when you feel it's reasonable to do so. For example in this situation.

I really doubt the LL are going to object wildly if they're politely asked would they mind coming another day, or if the OP explains her perfectly logical reasons why they might not practically be able to see what they want to see as she's not yet packed.

Most LL are actually quite reasonable human beings, not idiots. Why would they want to come if they won't be able to see things properly - out of spite?

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 13:10

Believe me it isn't hard to look at a property with furniture/whatever in it and get a good idea of what needs doing!

Sunnymeg · 16/07/2013 13:11

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.

PerilsAsinger · 16/07/2013 13:11

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.

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 16/07/2013 13:13

Oh, I'm not sure lady.

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 13:17

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

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 13:18

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!

PerilsAsinger · 16/07/2013 13:32

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

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 13:50

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.

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 13:51

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

sparechange · 16/07/2013 14:21

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?

Original poster

lollilou · 16/07/2013 14:37

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

OP posts:

LRDYaDumayuIThink · 16/07/2013 14:46

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.

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 17:31

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 · 16/07/2013 17:34

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 · 16/07/2013 17:49

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.

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 17:49

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

littlewhitebag · 16/07/2013 18:19

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.

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