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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be really fucked off with estate agents?

54 replies

maybebabybee · 01/04/2016 17:26

I had a baby 2 weeks ago. Traumatic emergency c section. We are moving into our own place end of April, currently in private rented. Estate agents have been showing prospective tenants round for nearly a month now, haven't managed to shift it primarily because they keep getting the wrong people in - ie sharers when the second bedroom is a box room, or people looking for furnished when this is unfurnished - everything belongs to us.

They're really starting to irritate me. They asked to do a viewing at 4.30. I said yes as a one offeven though I'd said before I only wanted post 6pm or Saturday mornings so oh is around to help me if I'm feeding or in bed (still in a lot of pain). Then changed viewing to 5pm. It's now 5.25 and no sign of them and they've not had the courtesy to even phone to let me know. They know I have a newborn and am recovering from surgery. They do this constantly.

AIBU to be pissed off?

OP posts:
VimFuego101 · 01/04/2016 17:29

YANBU. You don't have to let them do viewings, you have the right to quiet enjoyment of your home. I would call them, say you're going out and tell them they are not to let themselves in.

honeysucklejasmine · 01/04/2016 17:30

Nope! I would be tempted to phone them and remind them that you are not legally required to allow viewings at all, and they would do well to remember their manners.

Congratulations on your baby!

Original poster
maybebabybee · 01/04/2016 17:42

I've just phoned the agency and bollocked them. He was very apologetic but it wasn't his fault - it depends on the individual agent and there are loads of them. This one still hasn't shown up ffs!! Tempted not to let her in.

OP posts:
Osolea · 01/04/2016 17:43

It would be completely fair for you to refuse any further viewings because of the estate agents behaving this way, and if there's a way you can inform the landlord, then I would. They'd probably be very interested to hear about it, I know I'd have a problem with my letting agent if they were treating my tenants this way, and I'd do something about it.

TheWitTank · 01/04/2016 18:21

YANBU. I would refuse entry now if they do turn up and use this to reinforce your previously agreed days and times and nothing else. We had similar years ago when we moved out of rented and the owner was selling. Had an agent randomly turn up one evening with no appointment at all and just let himself in with a key! We were all mid dinner and I was feeding the baby. I then refused to let him show around his potential buyers (he was so embarrassed and they were fuming) and wouldn't allow any other viewings until we moved out in three weeks time. I had been completed flexible before hand and had never refused when asked. I don't like piss takers and how dare you let yourself in without permission! Bloody estate agents.

CoraPirbright · 01/04/2016 18:51

They sound utterly shit! Do you like your current LL? If so, I would let him know what a bloody awful job they are doing and how they keep cocking it up (wrong type of renters/not turning up etc). They need firing!

Original poster
maybebabybee · 01/04/2016 19:07

So they turned up at 6.45!!!! Her excuse was "the times we give aren't exact".

I may well contact my ll now. They're utterly incompetent. The couple they showed round this evening were, again, after furnished when the flat is unfurnished. Agents also told them garden is private. It isn't.

OP posts:
MyKingdomForBrie · 01/04/2016 19:09

It's not on to say their times aren't specific, they simply need to be. They need to give notice and it's not notice if they're not giving you a time. I would tell LL to sort them out or you won't be opening the door.

Arkhamasylum · 01/04/2016 19:12

I would refuse any more viewings. Or tell them they can come for an hour each day but go out if you feel like it because 'the times you give aren't exact'.

(Seriously, enough is enough. That's infuriating. Congratulations on your baby, btw Smile)

PegsPigs · 01/04/2016 19:13

Refuse any more. There's no way I'd be letting strangers traipse round my house 2 weeks after my EMCS. And that response about not being exact it taking the complete piss.

GoldPlatedBacon · 01/04/2016 19:13

Yanbu. Tell them that you will only allow viewings on Saturday mornings. They can do an open house viewing. Then grass them up to your ll.

akkakk · 01/04/2016 19:31

So they turned up at 6.45!!!! Her excuse was "the times we give aren't exact".

"Thank you, but the times I give are - so next time you don't turn up on time you are not getting in..."

simple :)

Musicaltheatremum · 01/04/2016 19:39

Just finished texting my son who is leaving his flat and the agent either turns up unannounced or doesn't even turn up. He is a student and they are student flats. Last summer we left them a few things that needed doing over the summer and none were done. 3 months they had. He went ballistic.(politely) I'm not surprised it isn't let as they had a leak at christmas from the roof and it's not properly redecorated yet.
If I was in your situation I would really get annoyed. My son got the "not given exact times" story too.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 01/04/2016 19:59

YANBU. We have a rental flat and I would not dream of expecting a tenant to allow viewings before they leave.
You are entitled to 'quiet enjoyment' of your home and that does not include random people traipsing around it.

I have heard of landlords offering a discount on the rent if tenants will allow viewings, but it should still always be their choice.
Your agent is frankly taking the p*ss, not to mention completely lacking in the basic courtesies.

ALongTimeComing · 01/04/2016 20:29

You don't need to allow them. Do not allow them to ruin this time with your baby. It's not long until you leave, just say no.

Sunnyshores · 01/04/2016 20:42

If there is anyway you can get hold of your ll, please do - ll will want to know that the agents are useless and wasting time (as long as you have been a good tenant) he/she will not want you inconvenienced either. Tell ll youre sorry but there will be no more viewings as you have to put yourself first.

SquareholeRoundpeg · 01/04/2016 20:47

Poor you - that's the last thing you need with the upheaval of the new born.

I understand they are acting on behalf of the landlord and viewing times do change out of agent's control from time to time BUT to not let you know at all, even without the added emotional trauma of a newborn is not on.

I would try and keep on the right side of landlord by doing viewings as you need to think about your deposit. But you should call the shots with the times - ie every Wednesday between 4-5 only or whatever suits your routine.

CaptainCorellisBanjo · 01/04/2016 20:53

YANBU.

That is absolutely disgraceful and I would advise you to tell the LL that you can't accommodate any more viewings.

Congrats on your baby!

HirplesWithHaggis · 01/04/2016 20:56

LL can't keep the deposit because OP refuses viewings! These days, deposits are kept in third-party schemes, and LL have to prove damage to property to retain all or part of it.

Original poster
maybebabybee · 01/04/2016 21:01

I've emailed ll.

I tried to say they could only do viewings between x time and x time on a certain day and they literally just paid no attention whatsoever.

The thing is I wouldn't even mind them being late as long as they let me know.

OP posts:
littleleftie · 01/04/2016 21:11

I don't understand why you let them in? Confused That's the only way you will get them to turn up on time.

Lules · 01/04/2016 21:11

That sounds awful but to those saying you have the right to quiet enjoyment, you do but check your tenancy agreement. Mine says they have the right to do viewings in the last 8 weeks of the tenancy during office hours and on Saturdays. But agree estate agents are rubbish

Original poster
maybebabybee · 01/04/2016 21:14

Yeah my tenancy agreement has that clause about viewings. According to my solicitor friend it isn't actually legally enforceable though.

OP posts:
Original poster
maybebabybee · 01/04/2016 21:14

Oh actually though it doesn't say anything about viewing times.

OP posts:
HirplesWithHaggis · 01/04/2016 21:16

I agree with your solicitor. Besides, what's the ll going to do, evict you? Grin

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