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AIBU?

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Original poster

Told landlord is selling, now it's up for rent

62 replies

Frogers · 29/08/2016 19:00

Received a letter saying the landlord is selling at the end of the year, sorted alternative housing and handed in notice and now have seen that it's up for rent as a long term let at £100 more pcm than I currently pay.

I'm pretty pissed off but not sure if what they have done is underhand or not. I've been here 4 years and they are restricted to up my rent by £50 a year.

They are now wanting access to the property whilst I'm at work to show. I spoke to the letting agent earlier and they said they would ring back and said something about it being an error but surely not if they are planning viewings.

What are your thoughts?

OP posts:
Munstermonchgirl · 29/08/2016 19:06

Most contracts have a clause restricting the amount the rent can be raised. Buts it's normally a percentage eg: no more than 10% per year. Seems very odd that yours is so low at £50 per year.

If notice has been served correctly then there's not much you can do; it's up to the LL what they do after your tenancy and sounds as though you've found another place anyway

Munstermonchgirl · 29/08/2016 19:07

Btw you don't need to allow access though unless your new tenancy is watertight and you don't need a reference from your current LL, you may want to consider whether it's in your interests to be obstructive

MephistoMarley · 29/08/2016 19:10

Id refuse viewings so they will have an empty month after you leave and lose all the extra they wild have got over the year because I'm a petty bitch

Trifleorbust · 29/08/2016 19:11

Definitely underhand. Are you going to be paying more in the new place?

Original poster
Frogers · 29/08/2016 19:13

I don't really want them entering the property whilst I'm not here but I'm not in much of a position to be flexible in evenings as DD is in bed by about 7 and between 5-7 it's always a bit manic of tea, shower/bath, stuff ready for school and then bed.

I'm not renting after this so don't need a reference but not really in my nature to be deliberately obstructive either but it's caused alot of stress to try and get things sorted. I thought I did have to let them do viewings if they gave me reasonable notice? Need to dig out my paperwork.

OP posts:
SaggyNaggy · 29/08/2016 19:14

My thoughts?
Loosen a floor board, pop in a piece of frozen fish, sit back and laugh.

It may be underhand or it may be the owner intended to sell but changed their mind afterr valuations or market changes or fear of brexit etc etc.

Trifleorbust · 29/08/2016 19:17

Microwave fish. Keep Windows closed.

Munstermonchgirl · 29/08/2016 19:17

If you're not renting after this then the reference won't be a problem. And if you're in a position to not be renting, would you not have wanted to end the tenancy anyway?

Guess you've just got to be thankful you had 4 years in such favourable terms ( I have never IME come across any contract which specified a maximum rent increase as low as yours) and move on

MoogBoov · 29/08/2016 19:19

Have you checked your tenancy agreement? They usually have a clause in saying that a month (or two) before the current leaves they have to be allowed access to show to the property to prospective new tenants, with the estate agent just needing to give the current tenant 24hrs notice...

SanityClause · 29/08/2016 19:24

You are probably under no obligation to allow viewings while you live there.

Mostly people do allow them, but under the circumstances, I'd be buggered if I would!

As Moog suggests, check the tenancy agreement.

But if you have to allow viewings, they can't insist you tidy the property first, and some tenants are filthy fuckers! Wink

MephistoMarley · 29/08/2016 19:27

You don't have to allow viewings regardless of what's in the tenancy agreement

Original poster
Frogers · 29/08/2016 19:28

Why is that mephisto?

OP posts:
RNBrie · 29/08/2016 19:29

Tenancy agreements can say what they like but they can't override the law and the law says you do NOT have to allow viewings.

MephistoMarley · 29/08/2016 19:32

Tenancy law overrides anything in your tenancy agreement and the law says you have the right to peaceful enjoyment of the property u til you leave

Original poster
Frogers · 29/08/2016 19:37

Ok thank you. I will have a think about it. I'm only here for another couple of weeks anyway.

OP posts:
Lunar1 · 29/08/2016 19:40

Just refuse any viewings while you are there. It's your home till you move. I allowed viewings when I was going from renting to buying but stopped them in the end as the landlord took the piss. Told me I couldn't have packing boxes out and that I would have to do everything in the final weekend, with a 4 week old baby!

LRDtheFeministDragon · 29/08/2016 19:45

As others say, moog is incorrect - your tenancy agreement may include clauses asking you to allow viewings, but they cannot be enforced as they contravene your right to quiet enjoyment. Your LL is only allowed in in an emergency, and you are entitled to keep politely responding to requests for viewings by saying that it's not convenient and you refuse access.

That said, I don't see how this is underhand? Yes, they're putting the place up for sale, but they may be marketing it to the buy-to-let people, in which case it might be a selling point to have a tenant already lined up and willing to pay a higher rate. If they can't up your rent by an amount that would make it competitive, perhaps that's why they want you to leave. Rotten for you, but not illogical of them?

wowfudge · 29/08/2016 20:34

You could always give them a two hour window on a Saturday morning for viewings. I'm guessing you feel you have been a good tenant and it doesn't sit well that rather than try to negotiate a new tenancy agreement with you they seem to have lied about the place being sold. If you are dealing only with the agents they may well have handled things this way because it's easier for them.

Original poster
Frogers · 29/08/2016 20:41

That's basically it. I feel they could have at least sounded me out. I think I just feel a bit let down especially as the owner has my number and has dealt with me directly a few times.

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 29/08/2016 20:53

Tbh, I see no point in being awkward with the landlord/agent. Are you owed deposit back? Cos you leave the place in a mess or leave stinky stuff under the floor as some bitches people are suggesting, bang goes your deposit. There's no point in being a twat about it, you're moving anyway. It's very childish. Maybe the landlord has simply decided the market isn't as great as he thought currently.

Original poster
Frogers · 29/08/2016 21:07

I won't be leaving a mess or anything under the floorboards but honestly I'm not really feeling over accommodating regarding viewings that don't fit with my schedule.

OP posts:
Cheby · 29/08/2016 21:26

I would refuse all visits. They can suck it up and net off any loss of rent through a gap
in tenancies through their £100 a month rise. Cheeky fuckers.

Good luck in your new home.

Munstermonchgirl · 29/08/2016 21:39

Well if it's not convenient for you, then just don't allow viewings. Simple, no need to overthink it.

But you're quite right to ignore the twatty suggestions about leaving things under the floorboards etc- fuck knows why people tnink they're helpful in making these suggestions - it's your deposit that is at stake

FWIW I suspect LRD is along the right lines. I doubt it's anything personal- the LL has had you there 4 years, it's probably just that you have this weird clause in your contract which means at most they can raise your rent by only £4 a month maximum. They may want to let it on a basis that's more comparable with other rentals. Or they may indeed be selling and it's to another BTL landlord. The fact that your rent increase has been so far below the average for several years means that it feels like they're suddenly making a huge hike, but you need to remember that if your contract had been in line with most tenancy agreements, you could
Well have had a 10% increase annually.
I know it's MN a custom to vilify LL but actually you've had a remarkably good deal financially for 4 years.

wowfudge · 29/08/2016 22:31

Well we don't know where the OP is, what her rent has been or what the property is like. The landlord has chosen not to increase the rent over the course of the tenancy. He could have renegotiated if it wasn't a market rent. He has had the benefit of regular rent payments from a good tenant - as a former LL that is worth a great deal.

A month's void and the agent's fees could easily wipe out the rent increase.

Anyway, it sounds as though the OP is getting her own place, which should be more secure for her and her family.

MissWimpyDimple · 29/08/2016 22:44

Peoples plans change! Perhaps the letting agent could have been a bit better at communicating but the LL can really do what they want.

You could refuse viewings, or at least restrict them to times you are in and it's convenient. That's reasonable. It's up to you whether you want to make things more difficult. The return of your deposit isn't going to be effected, at least not in theory.