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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Sodding estate agents

27 replies

DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 20:18

I'm moving out of my rented house and agent arranged a viewing for this evening. I've come home early from enjoying this weather with dc to open windows, make sure house is presentable, and obviously be here to show the lady around.

She didn't show up.

Aibu to think that with the amount of money agents make on rentals they should at least provide an out of hours number when they have arranged viewings? Rather than sitting around for an hour wondering if I can eat, a 2 minute call from them could've sorted it.

Angry
OP posts:
CalicoBlue · 23/04/2015 20:20

They should not be showing the house whilst you are still the tenant. If they are going to mess you around say no next time.

lastnightiwenttomanderley · 23/04/2015 20:39

Calico Most tenancy agreements have a clause that allows this in the last month or so of a tenancy.

OP, I agree. You should have a contact number for the agent and if they're not prepared to do that then refuse to do viewings yourself (that is not normally an obligation) and insist that they're all accompanied from now on.

Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 20:41

I don't mind as my landlord doesn't want to lose out on a months rent. It just annoys me that EA arrange viewings out of hours when they're not available to call if there's a problem.

OP posts:
Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 20:42

There's another 3 viewing arranged for Monday that I'll be doing alone.

OP posts:
Out0fCheeseError · 23/04/2015 20:53

lastnight - there may be such a clause but it's not worth the paper it's written on. In England and Wales at least, a tenant's right to quiet enjoyment is absolute except in the case of an emergency e.g. a gas leak, and therefore such clauses are unenforceable.

OP you're doing them a favour to allow viewings, the least they can do is respect that. If I were you, I would be tempted to say that in light of their lack of consideration you will only permit viewings at specific times, decided by you, and at your convenience.

blue42 · 23/04/2015 20:54

Surely you can tell the estate agent that you aren't comfortable or willing to do the viewings alone. If the agent has to turn up, then they are more likely to ensure the prospective buyer does the same.

As long as you're the one taking all the grief, what motivation is there for the agent to worry whether the viewer turns up or not?

fredfredgeorgejnr · 23/04/2015 20:58

lastnightiwenttomanderley such clauses are not enforceable.

Complain to the landlord, complain to the agent, specifically ask for it to be an official complaint, by making an appointment and failing to turn up or inform you they are violating their code of conduct.

If people don't complain, they can continue to show that the number of complaints to the ombudsman is so low that further regulation into the broken industry won't happen.

Moomintroll85 · 23/04/2015 21:00

I really don't see why you are expected to show people around if you are the tenant?! Yes you normally have to agree to allow viewings but it's the agent's job (or the landlord's) to show people round.

We just moved out of a rented flat because the landlord is selling and the agent dealt with all the viewings. They did block book ten people to view the flat the morning we were moving out though so we sat among the boxes with our 8 month old like zoo exhibits as a succession of people peered round the door Hmm

I would be bloody livid if I was expected to do the agent's job showing people around a place I didn't even own.

BitterChocolate · 23/04/2015 21:04

It's not the estate agent's fault that the viewer was a no-show, but it is immensely annoying to be waiting. It think it's fair enough to ask the estate agent to make it clear to people arranging to view that if they are not there within 20 mins of the time that you are expecting them then you will be continuing with your own routine and will probably not be available to let them in and show them around. Or insist that viewers are accompanied by an agent, then the agent will be able to chase the viewer if they don't turn up on time. At least then you can get on with your life and cook/eat/shower/change into your pjs.

Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 21:06

I asked the agent if they would be here and they said no, they never normally do viewings as they don't manage the property, and they would text me the details of the viewers beforehand (they didn't).

I'd told them that Monday morning was convenient for me but they asked for tonight as the lady works.

My landlord is great, he's just told me to refuse any more unless I'm happy with them.

OP posts:
Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 21:09

Bitter I'm not blaming them for the no show, I just think that after say 15 minutes or so of waiting, I should've been able to call the agent and have them find out if the viewer is running late etc. They charge a bloody fortune to private renters!

OP posts:
TheEmpressofBlandings · 23/04/2015 21:10

We are in a rental that's also on the market, there's no way I'd do viewings! The agent is the agent for selling the house, they should provide the same service as they do to everyone else.
We had a last-minute viewing this afternoon - an hours' notice!!

MeeWhoo · 23/04/2015 21:17

So if the the agents don't manage the property and they don't do viewings, WTF do they actually do?

Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 21:18

Cash cheques?

OP posts:
ratsintheattic · 23/04/2015 21:19

They may not have known about it either. You'd be surprised how many people just don't bother to show up. On the other hand, I don't think you should be expected to conduct the viewings just allow them to happen.

Moomintroll85 · 23/04/2015 21:19

What do the agents do then? Christ why don't they just list your phone number on their website and you can take all their enquiries too.

If he's understanding tell the landlord you aren't happy doing the viewings. He can do them himself if the agent won't (and maybe reassess what he's paying them) he's the one that's going to benefit after all. Or he can find a different agent that actually provides a half decent service.

londonrach · 23/04/2015 21:22

Last night there may be a clause but its unworkable and as a tenant you can refuse viewings!

Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 21:25

rats I understand that, that's why I think they should have an out of hours number so that
a) viewer who is running late/can't make it can let them know
B) the mug who is waiting around (me) can't ring to find out what's going on!

I don't actually mind showing them around, I would always be here anyway as I wouldn't like strangers in my house with my personal property if I'm not there. My issue is with the grabby ea who arrange 6.30 viewings when they go home at 5.00.

OP posts:
BitterChocolate · 23/04/2015 21:32

They're talking bollox, there's no connection between whether or not they manage the property and showing people around. I've owned houses that I've sold (so no management involved) and the estate agents still showed viewers around. They're not doing much to earn their commission, are they? On the other hand, they sound so useless that it's probably best that they are not alone in your home with the viewers as they probably wouldn't supervise properly or make sure that the place was secure when they left.

You have all the power here, you don't have to allow viewings at all and your landlord is backing you on this, so just tell them that you won't take any viewings except at times that both suit you and when their office is open unless the viewing is accompanied by them. And make sure that you tell them you are restricting viewings because you have already been inconvenienced.

Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 21:41

The house isn't for sale, the viewings are for a new tenant. Not sure if that would make a difference though. I told them Monday was convenient because dc will be in nursery but that's when I thought they would be coming too. So now I'll be alone when 3 lots of strangers come to look around my house Hmm

OP posts:
Onesipmore · 23/04/2015 21:42

There should be a clause in yr contract stating that in the last month people can view the property. Some people can only view in the evening I suppose. However if the EA makes an appt during the day tell them they can do it as you are out. It makes no difference whether he manages it or not it's his job to get a new tenant. I'm an EA and he's talking crap !

LynetteScavo · 23/04/2015 21:46

Seriously the agent won't do the viewings???? In that case the ls flies should... I can't believe both of them are expecting you to do viewings. Tell the agent you are very busy and have no time.....if they are advertising the property the should do the viewings!

Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 21:48

Onesip Blush sorry for tarring you all Grin

Can you tell me please what is procedure for out of hours viewings?

OP posts:
Original poster
DextersMistress · 23/04/2015 21:50

I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, I've always done the viewings in all of the rented houses I've lived in Blush

Never once has the LL or EA been to any!

OP posts:
londonrach · 23/04/2015 21:53

Onesimore a tenant doesnt have to allow access full stop for viewings. The clauses are worthless! Its in the ea best interest to keep the tenant happy. Tenant can just turn around and say no viewings until we leave. We have done that twice when ea or landlord became over demanding re viewings. My fav (not) being in ea found with his hands in my pants drawer by my mil. At that point we complained to ea and said no more viewings until we left. Theres nothing they can do! Anyway in this case op is kindly allowing viewings although i fail to understand why the ea isnt present as anyone can turn up. Very strange and unprofessional.

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