Regarding viewings on the flat we are renting...

[BlueSeren]

I'd like some views on this because our landlord seems to think we abvvvvvvu. I like to think I'm a decent person and we have been fair and accommodating but have been pushed too far.

We are renting a flat in London, and have been doing so for almost a year and our tenancy is coming to an end. Our landlord put the flat on the market approximately three months ago. In that time we have given the selling estate agents a key to the property and have allowed viewings on approximately 2-3 different days per week every week. We haven't insisted on being there, in fact they've asked us not to be there on Saturdays when we would usually be at home. This is inconvenient to us quite often but we have put up with it, for no gain to ourselves at all.

It is inconvenient to lock up our valuables, remove confidential documents which may be lying around and have to go out every single Saturday at 8.30am or so when we work long hours and would like time to chill and enjoy the property we pay a very high rent for. It is usually fairly clean and tidy anyway as that's how we roll but it adds to the things to do list.

Our only stipulation for viewings had been we would like at least 24 hours notice.
Last week the estate agent decided to just let themselves in and conduct a viewing without giving us any notice at all. We said we weren't happy about this. In addition, frequently we are getting two hours or three hours notice, when we are already at work so are not able to get back to put our confidential items away or secure our valuables. I know it is unlikely that anything will be taken but I'm not about to trust complete strangers with my property or personal items. If we don't get back to them in time (which is hard sometimes in our jobs to get to the phone or email) they say they are going in anyway.

We have now decided to limit the viewings to one day per week only, and have let the estate agent/landlord know this. They are irate and threatening they will proceed anyway with viewings when we are at work. I genuinely don't want to be obstructive but it is really annoying to be subject to all these viewings all the time and would like to lessen the impact of this on our daily lives. AIBU?

In most contracts it stipulates that the landlord must give 24 hours notice before entering the property. Does yours? So you could demand that, but I doubt you can ask them to only come one day a week. Can't believe they are allowed to demand you vacate every Saturday - that sounds very annoying - it's your home!

it sounds reasonable to limit the viewings, also to state that if they want more then they need to not charge rent for the days of viewings.

You should have a clause in your lease about quiet enjoyment. Your landlord and the agent are being v unreasonable.

Your contract should say 24 hours notice so it's unreasonable that they are letting themselves in and also expecting you to be out on a Saturday! It's still your home.

It doesn't matter what your contract says, you have a legal right to quiet enjoyment and if they refuse that, they are trespassing.

YANBU, your landlord is being extremely unreasonable.

But is it down to the landlord or is it happening because the agents are forcing it?

Stick Sellotape inconspicuously on front door and elsewhere so you can see if estate agents are going in without telling you. They really are taking the Mickey. Maybe you should ask for rent reduction?

A landlord must give you 24 hours notice before entering the property. I also think the estate agent cannot enter without your permission.

Shelter, CAB etc should explain at least the first bit clearly should you need to wave it under lls nose. Not a case of u or not u- it's the law!

Hth.

Just to clarify, you don't have to allow viewings at all. We have always refused, it is my home and I won't have strangers trampling through it. The landlord can pay a month's mortgage himself and have the viewings after I've gone, quite frankly.

Check your contract because its often not 24 hours notice to enter for any reason but only 24 hours notice for specified reasons. Outside of those specified reasons then they don't have a right of entry at all. A sensible landlord should have included viewings in those specified rights.

Check also is it notice in writing.

Just to clarify, you don't have to allow viewings at all. We have always refused, it is my home and I won't have strangers trampling through it. The landlord can pay a month's mortgage himself and have the viewings after I've gone, quite frankly.

They have no legal right to enter without co sent regardless of what your contract states - ASTs are generally full of unenforceable rubbish, reflecting the complete lack of regulation of the private rented sector.

Tell the if they enter without consent you will be taking it up with the police.

I wouldn't leave the place at the weekends to facilitate viewings - that's an outrageous demand. As others have stated, you do not need to allow viewings and the EA is out of order.

IIWY I'd get back on to them and say you need more than 24 hours notice of any viewing. Given the way the EA has taken the piss I wouldn't worry.

this is an unenforceable contract. It may belong to them, but it is your home. No-one, but no-one is allowed in without your permission unless it is an emergency.

and to let themselves in anyway????? And ask you to leave on a weekend? (splutter)

in your position (because I'm a landlord and this gives us a bad name) I would change the locks. Keep the old locks and put them back before you leave. Make sure you do no damage doing this.

tell the agent and landlord that this illegal access stops NOW, or this is what you will do. Especially tell the landlord, who may not know that this is going on.

3 months in London? Flats are usually snapped up in a week in my experience. Why so many viewings? Anyway YANBU, legally they must give you 24 hours notice and you've no obligation to be as accommodating as you have been.

yanbu
I would refuse all viewings from now on. and do change the locks.

You have already been TOO reasonable in my opinion - I wouldn't be up and out of my house for 8.30am on a Saturday if it was on fire and them even asking that is rude and presumptuous. Tell them to fuck off and be glad you're leaving...!

You were being incredibly reasonable. I would never have left the house on Saterdays.

Saturdays

I'd be tempted to stay in and be wandering around the flat naked at the very least. (What else you could do is limited only by your imagination.)

Three months of this bullshit?! You've given enough: now they have to give you the quiet use and enjoyment you're paying for... unless they'd like to waive your rent entirely on viewing days (nice idea, pauline )

Listen to specialsubject, who says so often that such LLs give all LLs a bad name, because it comes up so often on these talk boards. And the "bad name" is a very serious matter. It's an insidious process: the experience of such insecurity about one's very home and own possessions causes a relationship breakdown, not just this time, but potentially with all future LLs. LLs are vulnerable in a breakdown of LL-tenant relations, too, so it's not a trivial matter.

Agents don't care: they'll take as many liberties as a vendor will permit. It's the LL who has a legal and contractual relationship with you, and who must be told firmly to stop this unwanted infringement of your legal rights.

Special subject has it spot on.

Outrageous behaviour by the EA and LL.

Thank you for all of the thoughtful and helpful replies. It has been very reassuring to read the and confirms for me that we aren't being unreasonable at all. We will think about our next steps carefully. Very tempting indeed to change the locks!

They have take the piss, especially to tell you they will enter anyway whether you like it or not, for this I would change the locks and tell them they can view when you have left