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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

I'm sure I am but...

40 replies

Feelslikea1sttimer · 09/08/2013 20:07

Our landlord in the house we've been renting for the past 3 years has had the house on the market for about a year now, I'm not overly happy about it but he has his reasons so fair enough... We've done all the viewings without question and without any of the usual tricks of scuppering sales etc...

Anyway back to my AIBU... He calls up today and asks if he can do a viewing himself, fine not a problem with that, what I do have a problem with is him saying it has to be done at 9am tomorrow morning! I have 2 teenagers that I prefer to leave in bed til at least 11 as they are horrible otherwise, a 7 year old stepson who it autistic and can't always cope with strangers in the house (which he knows) so I'm now going to have to get all 3 of them up, sorted and out of the house before 9am (oh and to add to it, I am 25 weeks pregnant and suffering from sciatica!!)

WIBU to say sod em, and leave the teenagers in bed and have a 7 year old making the viewing unpleasant with a meltdown that is almost inevitable just to prove a point that when I ask for a later time I'm not just being awkward?

OP posts:

LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy · 09/08/2013 20:11

Just say no. It's fine.

If he says it has to be 9am yes, you need to tell him your children will still be in bed and warn him you're worried your stepson might not be the most viewer-friendly. That's not you being arsey, it's just the way it is.

CocacolaMum · 09/08/2013 20:13

yup I would do the same!

NapaCab · 09/08/2013 20:15

Just say no. 9am doesn't suit. If he's selling, he's probably not keen to get on bad terms with you because he'd struggle to re-let the house when it's up for sale.

Original poster

Feelslikea1sttimer · 09/08/2013 20:16

I did say make it later, but they are coming from a long way apparently and that's the only time they could do... It just pisses me off that he knows about DSS but was insistent. I think I am probably cross with myself for not standing my ground a bit more!

He'll have to take us as he finds us I guess.

Thank you :)

OP posts:

Jan49 · 09/08/2013 20:16

HIBU but are the kids usually there when people view? Just wondering if this could lead him to think that your dc and stepson's behaviour is the reason the house isn't selling?

Are you looking for somewhere else to live? If I were you I'd rather move out and be settled somewhere new before the baby is born, since you know you're going to have to move at some time.

ExitPursuedByABear · 09/08/2013 20:18

We once viewed a house with a teenager in bed. We bought it.

LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy · 09/08/2013 20:19

If he was insistent, he knows he's being a bit cheeky and presumably won't mind about your DS.

I don't think you should feel guilty, you have gone out of your way to accommodate him. If your kids' behaviour were stopping the house from selling, it wouldn't be your problem anyhow - it's one of the downsides of selling a house you rent out.

RenterNomad · 09/08/2013 20:26

Definitely get your poor DSS out of the way in time, though, if viewing distress him...

Ilovemyself · 09/08/2013 20:31

It's unfortunately one of the downsides of privately renting.

I privately rent, love the house, and would like to stay here for some time but understand that the landlord may want to sell one day.

I don't think he is being unreasonable - he obviously has the need to sell the place or he would continue renting to you.

I understand the issue you have with your stepson, but if your other children are teenagers surely they could get themselves up and ready to go out? To use the argument that they are horrible if they don't lie in until 11 sounds a bit like you can't be arsed to be honest - as a teenager they should be able to help you get ready.

LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy · 09/08/2013 20:32

Why is it a downside of private renting?

She nicely said yes to the owner, but she's not required to do so.

Ilovemyself · 09/08/2013 20:35

It's a downside of private renting because its not your house and the landlord can have access at any reasonable time. 9 am isn't unreasonable.

AwkwardSquad · 09/08/2013 20:36

Are you receiving any rent reduction for the inconvenience of regularly being disturbed in the peaceful enjoyment of the accommodation for which you are paying? Cos if not then why on earth should you and your kids ship out first thing on a Saturday for his convenience? YANBU.

AwkwardSquad · 09/08/2013 20:39

Landlord access does not include access to the detriment of the tenant's use of the property for which they are paying, and it's not the sole preserve of the landlord to decide when is 'reasonable'. It's a business transaction, they're not doing the tenant a favour.

Original poster

Feelslikea1sttimer · 09/08/2013 20:47

We have always arranged the viewings when ss is not with us, and he knows this...

I have been and seen a mortgage advisor today and have been given the go ahead to put an offer on a house we've seen so fingers crossed we can move before baby comes :)

OP posts:

LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy · 09/08/2013 20:54

Ilove - not usually, no.

She could have said no. She was nice.

I think it is fair enough to say to the LL that she won't put her family out for it.

The LL presumably understands the trade-off here.

Ilovemyself · 09/08/2013 20:56

Awkwardsquad. I bet any landlord would love you as a tenant!

youarewinning · 09/08/2013 21:01

Check your rental agreement. IIRC most say LL has to give you at least 48 hours notice to enter the accomadation. Even then it has to be at both your convenience.

Original poster

Feelslikea1sttimer · 09/08/2013 21:19

I have said yes, and I have done numerous viewings for the LL without question, it's the fact he rang up today after lunch and dropped it on us.

As far as the teenagers are concerned... They do help out and when their step brother is here, I do let them sleep in as late as possible as the minute they wake up he wants to be with them and they don't get a minute, and I admit, part of me can't be arsed to hear them bickering with each other because they are tired but that's beside the point, cos I've said yes now!!

I think youarewinning that you're correct and 48 hours notice is required, I will point it out to him tomorrow for future although I'm hoping we'll be able to move out soon.

OP posts:

littlewhitebag · 09/08/2013 21:23

As someone who is selling a house sometimes viewers will phone up out of the blue saying they are in the area at such and such a time on a particular day. Sometimes it suits and sometimes we have to turn it down as we are working. Just say no if it doesn't suit.

ChippingInHopHopHop · 09/08/2013 21:32

Just tell the teenagers what time the EA will be there, then to make sure their rooms a reasonably tidy tonight and they are wearing boxers/t-shirts to bed so that when the rooms are viewed, they are indecent!

Can either you or someone else take your youngest DS out in the morning?

Original poster

Feelslikea1sttimer · 09/08/2013 22:11

Their rooms are tidy (I'm a bit of a nag) and thankfully it's summer so they sleep with windows open so there isn't that 'teenage smell' I'll make sure they are awake but can stay in their rooms... I will take little one out as its not fair on him, if I didn't think that I'd have stayed in and let him cause havoc (just out of spite)

I will be telling the LL though, from now on a strict 48hours notice, he's burnt his bridges a little bit with me on this occasion!

OP posts:

Ilovemyself · 09/08/2013 23:30

Why is the landlord selling? If you were paying your rent on time and were a good tenant he would have no reason to sell without a real need to.

Everyone is quick to slate a landlord, but he may be in a desperate need to shift the property and will want to get viewings done as much as possible.

Sadly, that is the issue with privately renting - you never know how long you are going to be in one place.

LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy · 09/08/2013 23:47

What a ridiculous thing to say, Ilove.

Of course LL often sell for reasons other than tenants paying rent on time.

It is you who are giving a bad picture of LL. The OP clearly has a good relationship with this bloke or she would not be worrying how best to fulfill a favour she's offered.

You clearly don't know anything about tenancy law, so to be honest, you sound a bit as if you just want to have a go at tenants and be smug - not sure what you get out of that.

Roshbegosh · 09/08/2013 23:54

It doesn't sound ridiculous to me and if the LL sees mayhem in the morning and decides that is putting buyers off he could serve notice. No, I'm not an expert on tenancy law either - who's the smug one?

LRDYaDumayuShtoTiKrasiviy · 09/08/2013 23:57

She knows he's selling, though. Of course he can serve notice - either for six months, or for two months, or whenever her contract ends if there isn't a break clause.

But I think it's unfair to make the OP feel she's done something wrong when she's bending over backwards to be helpful.

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