to not want to be continuously bothered by estate agents?

[slippytoes]

We're on the final two months of our current tenancy. The landlord, an agency, has contacted all estate agents in the area (at least 7 different agents!!!) and given them our details. I get called and email all the time, and sometimes they just want to pop in with prospective tenants... I understand they have to see the flat, but we still have to live here for two months and when I come home from work I want to relax, not to have to tidy up and show the flat to strangers!

Do you think it would be unreasonable of me to set up a fixed day and a fixed time for all the viewings? (for example, saturday mornings from 10-12). Whoever wants to see the flat would have to come then.

Did they give your number out to these 7 estate agents?

I think giving out a time for viewings is very sensible, they'll know then when they can view without ringing you a billion times to check.

I'm handing my notice in tomorrow (someone on the property boards has drafted me a naice letter) knowing full well that the landlady will want me to show people round. We get the keys to the house we're buying on Monday and I'll be in and out with painters and carpet fitters and stuff. Is going to be really inconvenient.

YANBU completely understand it's a rubbish situation.

However you'll have to rethink your plan a little. Offering only 2 hours per week on a Saturday would be unreasonable. Perhaps if you offered a full Saturday morning plus a weekday PM/evening (depending on your work situation) would be much more reasonable for all parties.

It's a right pain in the bum but think about it from your landlord's POV who is running a business and this is their income.

Good luck with the move!

yes they gave my details to all agents - luckily most of them prefer emails. The other day one of them used their set of keys to enter the building (instead of ringing the buzzer), and when they knocked on the door I rushed to open but I could already hear the keys... I wonder if they would have come in if it had taken me another minute to open the door! Today I had 5 of them taking pictures at different times... it's totally bonkers. I want my life back.

How about 1 evening in the week and 1 morning in the weekend?

or what would you say it's reasonable?

I think one evening during the week and one morning at the weekend is entirely reasonable.

Your landlord has been extremely inconsiderate. Did you give notice, or did he/she give you notice? Not that it should matter particularly.

How about 1 evening in the week and 1 morning in the weekend?

That's fine.

It's still your home. You're still paying the rent. You're still entitled to quiet enjoyment blah blah blah.

Find a time that suits you and tell them the times.

:)

Mintyy I gave them notice. I have been a great tenant for the las 3 years, always paid on time and looked after the property as my own bla bla...

slippytoes there is no way they should be using their keys like that. They should be giving you at least 24 hours notice, they cannot just turn up like that!

You have the right to "quiet enjoyment" of your home. Give them some times when you would be happy for viewings to happen, and insist that they confirm with you in advance.

The other day one of them used their set of keys to enter the building (instead of ringing the buzzer), and when they knocked on the door I rushed to open but I could already hear the keys... I wonder if they would have come in if it had taken me another minute to open the door!

I've had this kind of shit.

Renting mostly sucks. You never have a home/security/privacy. I'll be so glad to be out of it. There needs to be tighter regulations on this kind of stuff.

I worked nights for years and had estate agents tell me that if I didn't open the door (because I was sleeping after working so I could pay the rent) they could let themselves in.

It's a hard, insecure way to live.

You don't have to agree to any viewings legally as you have the right to quiet enjoyment of your property so you are being more than reasonable. May be worth reminding the estate agents/ landlord that they only have the right to access the property without your permission in the case of an emergency. Suggest that you check out the shelter website which gives good advice on these matters. There is also a good house renting forum on moneysavingexpert expert which has loads of posts similar to this.

Bloody hell, I've never had more than 2 estate agents scrapping over a property I've been living in. Seven is beyond-the-pale greed or desperation on the part of the LL...

thanks Iamrandom!

Hi op, by law I'm pretty sure that they need to give 24 hours notice before entering your property. Put your foot down and let the LL know that you won't put up with any more surprise visits, and make sure that when in the house you double lock the door!

sorry I didn't make it clear: that time it wasn't a surprise visit. I knew the agent was coming, but what bothered me is that he didn't ring the buzzer and it seemed as if he would use his set of keys if I didn't open immediately (and I was pretty fast!).

Will definitely set a couple of days for the viewings. Agree 7 is too much, there might be even more, as I keep getting emails :S

To be honest, given that you have been getting bothered so much, I would be inclined to refuse access. You don't need to allow any access or viewings, and the landlord's behaviour would have sapped any of my goodwill towards them.

Also, their giving your personal details out contravenes the data protection act, so would be another reason I wouldn't allow access.

I wouldn't allow any viewings at all - you are paying the rent and this is your home until you move out.

Can they give out your details, Op? Unless the LL is paying you to act as his agent, surely you have nothing to do with the process, aprt from agree reasonable access (which it doesn't sound as it is at the moment)? As for the estate agents using their own keys to get in ......!

Unless it's written in your tenancy, ie tenant to allow or carry out x-viewings per day/week etc, they cannot and should not enter the property - not even the landlord, unless it's an emergency.

I wouldn't allow any viewings.
The landlord is making a tidy profit from you paying off his mortgage. You don't owe him anything else.
Would you buy a dress from a shop and then allow the shop to conduct viewings of the dress at random times and call / email you about the dress repeatedly before you eventually return said dress to shop for no refund so they can sell it again? What's the difference?
I am sick if people saying landlords have to run a business. Not out of people's homes they don't. If there were no buy to let landlords, house prices would be lower and the chances are more people would buy, not rent. Withdraw all cooperation and install another lock on your door.

Doesn't matter what your tenancy agreement says... If it's not legal it's not enforceable. By law, they need a court order to enter without your permission and they know it. Remind them if they don't start behaving reasonably, you will not allow any viewings as you are legally entitled to do and will call the police if they wish to break that law.