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AIBU?

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Original poster

Letting agents expecting us to do viewings!

55 replies

NotAnotherUserName5 · 14/07/2017 11:34

We have given notice on the house we currently rent. It's been put on the market to rent for a stupidly high price, and as a result we have had viewings every day this week and no one has taken it. It's a good £350PM over priced for the area.

Now they have booked viewings for the weekend and are expecting us to show people around! Angry

This is all starting to seriously annoy me-we are trying to pack and I only had a baby 3 weeks ago. Fed up of people coming and going all the time.

We move out in less than 2 weeks and so much to do.

Are the letting agency BU or me?!

OP posts:
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 14/07/2017 11:36

Letting agency is bu.

Tell them no.

StealthPolarBear · 14/07/2017 11:36

They are. Surely this isn't normal

araiwa · 14/07/2017 11:36

Is there a reason you didnt say no?

honeysucklejasmine · 14/07/2017 11:38

Say no?

CryingMessFFS · 14/07/2017 11:38

Tell them no, they can't do anything. You don't have to allow viewings at all (even if it's in the tenancy agreement). Seriously, just don't do it.

Original poster
NotAnotherUserName5 · 14/07/2017 11:40

I haven't spoken to them-they sent a text message stating the name of the person viewing the house and the time! Angry

They have just gone ahead and done it.

OP posts:
honeysucklejasmine · 14/07/2017 11:43

Text them back saying "no" and don't answer the door. If you do this viewing they'll just think you're ok with it.

provider5sectorzz9 · 14/07/2017 11:44

Just refuse or don't be in
they are taking the piss but you are silly to let them !

coddiwomple · 14/07/2017 11:44

just tell them, in writing, that you are not available. Their clients won't be too happy to waste their time if no one answers the door.

PlausibleSuit · 14/07/2017 11:45

Can you make it your landlord/lady's problem? One of the (few) benefits of renting. That's what I did when a lettings agency tried to do something similar with me, a few years ago. I called my landlady, told her what the LA was expecting and that it was not my responsibility to conduct viewings. And bibbity-bobbity-boop! The viewing was rearranged within the hour.

anonymousbird · 14/07/2017 11:45

Say you won't be in. Don't cave on this one!

HipsterHunter · 14/07/2017 11:46

Letting agent is totally BU.

Just don't answer the door.

Send an email to agent and LL "Dear LL and Agent. You seem to be under the impression I have agreed to host viewing for you this weekend. I have not agreed to this and will not agree to this.

I have been accommodating allowing [x] viewing this week but I am now finding that this is highly intrusive and disruptive.
I will not be allowing any more viewing to take place until my tenancy ends on [DATE] and am exercising my right to quiet enjoyment of the property. consequently, please cancel all arranged viewings.

Regards, OP"

Rumplestaleskin · 14/07/2017 11:46

They are being entirely unreasonable. I've been there myself with a small baby and it's very stressful. I must admit I had this with our last landlord where he expected me to conduct a viewing (it was one of the houses on an estate) but I didn't show people around, I just told them to look around. It's a bloody nuisance to happen this frequently. Anyway, don't landlords have insurance for voids so there's no good reason to have all this hassle especially as you're moving on soon.

SixtiesChildofWild8lueSkies · 14/07/2017 11:46

The LA are being unreasonable. They are probably charging the LL a fee for THEM to be showing prospective clients around, so it's their job.
As a single female at the time I was leaving my rental I had the LA' s trying to do this. I refused and insisted they make appointments at my convenience, and be at the house with the client else I wouldn't allow anyone in, no matter WHO they said they were.
Just as well I did really as twice I had some random man see the 'to let' sign when walking past , and insist they'd been sent by the LA's - but no they hadn't - just chancers.

So be firm. If you want to allow viewings, do so at a time/day that suits you.

seventhgonickname · 14/07/2017 11:46

Text them back and tell them it's not convenient at the weekend for anyone to view.
They are being paid to let the house you are already paying to live there and should expect some reasonable time without viewings if have some time free of viewings especially as it has been everyday.

SuperPug · 14/07/2017 11:47

No.
24hrs notice and only reasonable access to the property.
We may have been using the same agency ?!?

MagicMoneyTree · 14/07/2017 11:49

YA absolutely not BU.

I'd make sure I was out for starters, but that won't solve the longer term problem.

Write to them stating that you have a 3 week old baby and you're entitled to quiet enjoyment of the property (or whatever it's called) until the end of your tenancy so they will have to wait till you've left to show people round.

LurkingHusband · 14/07/2017 11:49

Maybe get back to them with an quote for how much you will charge them, and your T&Cs ?

If any viewings go ahead after that they'll have accepted them and you can have a fun day in small claims/fast track court ?

Smallangryplanet · 14/07/2017 11:50

They can fuck right off, what a cheek.

Text back along the lines of "thanks for the advance notice, what time will you arrive? We are not available to show prospective tenants around. If you can't make it please re-arrange."

Why do you have so many viewings if the rent is too high?

MagicMoneyTree · 14/07/2017 11:51

If they're insistent/ annoying about it, you could compromise with 24 hours notice and they need to show people round? I did this when selling ours as I didn't want to be dealing with a screaming newborn while potential buyers were looking round- I just left the estate agents to it.

keeplooking · 14/07/2017 11:53

And bibbity-bobbity-boop! The viewing was rearranged within the hour.

I love that Mary Poppins is posting! Grin

I agree with her about contacting the landlord, btw.

provider5sectorzz9 · 14/07/2017 11:56

Why should you compromise, you don't work for them for free do you....only a mug would do that
Letting agents are bastard sharks and shysters, don't help them make a profit at your expense

betteroffwithouthim · 14/07/2017 11:57

I used to be a letting agent. Tell them no viewings until you move out. Even if it's in your contract that you should allow viewings during notice they can't do anything about it if you refuse. Be careful though as they'll probably "punish" you by finding every reason to hold your deposit. I left then game behind, horrible people in estate agency and Lettings.

Original poster
NotAnotherUserName5 · 14/07/2017 11:59

The reason it's attracting so many viewings is it's location and it looks wonderful from the outside.

Also, the letting agents describe it as having modern fitted bathroom and kitchen-they are 20+ years old and all green! Plus horrid green carpets throughout the house.

This was ok for us, given we were only renting for 18 months, but add £350PM to the rent no one is that keen.

OP posts:
provider5sectorzz9 · 14/07/2017 11:59

Straight from the horses mouth 🐴
No offense meant betteroff 😉

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