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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tenants

42 replies

Peaceonearthplease · 10/08/2017 08:47

I own a small rental property, the current tenants have given notice. I have booked annual leave and will be travelling down to sort out a number of matters with the flat and would like to hold a mid-week open house viewing to meet prospective new tenants from 4-7.30pm. This timing will allow people who work to make the viewings and will means the current tenant will not have to deal with random viewing appointments. However, because my request will impact current tenant's toddler's dinner/bath/bed routine and they want to do the viewings 3-6pm. I've bent over backwards to accommodate this family in a number of ways before, including holding this open house. I've got a small child in a routine but realise that sometimes adult life gets in the way and that you have suck it up. AIBU?

OP posts:
Ilovejonahhill · 10/08/2017 09:41

Yabu. I have my notice on a flat & stated they had free rein for viewings whilst I was at work (worked 12 hours 3 days a week) & also on my days off but then the agents started to request 7pm visits. I had a 14 month old at the time. Err absolutely not, ever heard of the witching hour Confused

They're still tenants & you need to respect their wishes.

RadioGaGoo · 10/08/2017 09:45

I've learnt the hard way that there is no point in bending over backwards for tenants. Just don't do it again and then you won't feel aggrieved over things like this.

Trollspoopglitter · 10/08/2017 09:50

Most prospective tenants have to view property during estate agent's working hours anyway. Why not saturday morning or lunchtime, so tenants can go out for a few hours?

And everyone is right - doesn't matter what it says on their rental contract with you - they don't legally have to allow anything and if you attempted to enter the premises regardless, they'd be within their rights to call the police because you were trespassing illegally. So bend over backwards for them - it's saving you money!

53rdWay · 10/08/2017 09:52

Also, and I say this gently and in the spirit of constructive advice, you arranging an open house rather than ad-hoc viewings really isn't bending over backwards for your tenants. That's still them doing you a favour.

GravitasLass · 10/08/2017 10:26

I agree with pp that 3-6pm is reasonable.

However I'm not sure that quiet enjoyment = the right to say no to all viewings / access. It seems to be widely accepted but does anyone have a source for that I can quote?

The Citizens Advice website says "If your landlord wants to enter your home ... to show round a new tenant, they can only do this with your agreement or in accordance with any reasonable term set out in your tenancy agreement." www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/student-housing/students-in-private-rented-accommodation/student-housing-unacceptable-behaviour-by-your-landlord/

Hmm Confused

GinIsIn · 10/08/2017 10:30

They are paying you to live there, it's not you doing them a favour! They have the right to use the property for their own routines for the duration of their paid tenancy - why on earth should they "suck it up" for your convenience at the expense of theirs?

Questioningeverything · 10/08/2017 10:32

I'm calling reverse on this one. I think op is the tenant and her landlord is trying to push the boundaries so op wants to see if she's in the right to tell them no

Letitrain · 10/08/2017 10:35

Wait til it's vacant. Do any repairs, cleaning and improvements then advertise it.

TreasureInMyTummy · 10/08/2017 10:38

Wow it's been interesting reading this thread purely from perspective of someone who rented a property that the landlord put up for sale a few years back.

I had back surgery so he agreed not to do viewings the four weeks after my operation but I didn't realise I could have said no viewings until I had left. ( sadly I thought he was doing me the favour) It was so intrusive must have had about 12 viewings all different times and I was still in quite a bit of pain as they traipsed around.

I don't rent now but will remember to share this advice to my friends who still rent x

Glumglowworm · 10/08/2017 10:44

YABU

I doubt that your "bending over backwards" is actually doing anything other than what you're supposed to do as LL.

They could easily say no viewings at all, so accept that they're generously agreeing to this open house at all and do it at the time they've said.

There is exactly ZERO benefit to them in doing it, so why would they want to disrupt their child's bedtime?

specialsubject · 10/08/2017 11:05

if this is real then you are the type of LL that gives the rest of us a bad name.

sorry - it is a business that involves inconvenient hours. Wait until they go and market the place empty. Much easier anyway.

if your business model can't cope with a void then sell it.

thedancingbear · 10/08/2017 11:09

This is why so many people think landlords are cunts.

It's their home, ffs.

swingofthings · 10/08/2017 11:16

Most contract will specify that the tenants will allow reasonable access for viewing the last month of tenancy and most tenants are very happy to sign this at the time.

Yes, officially, they can change the locks and ignore calls, but it goes both ways. When we rented our place, the LA told us that a family had expressed an interest in renting the property but when I asked them if they knew the family, they admitted that they'd had issue with them as they refused to show anyone even though they were the ones who had given notice. I told the agency 'no thank you'.

Sometimes it does pay off to be flexible, even if it causes some inconvenience. Of course not talking about LA expecting visits every other day with hours notice. They are unfortunately some of these who think this is acceptable, it isn't.

Travis1 · 10/08/2017 11:17

As everyone has said YABU and be glad they are willing to give you a 3 hour open house. I wouldn't, it's my worst nightmare.

Brahms3rdracket · 10/08/2017 11:19

I'm a landlord and I never carry out viewings until the properties are vacant and cleaned. Your current tenants are under no obligation to accommodate the viewings. I know it's inconvenient but you need to rearrange your annual leave for after they move out.

Beerwench · 10/08/2017 11:25

An ex LL of mine was a bit like you and demanded to show ppl round when it suited him. I refused, said I needed to be there as I have a large dog (ll had agreed and I'd paid extra bond etc) and my dog wasn't going to just let strangers in. He chose to ignore that, used his key and apparently just managed to get the door shut again before the dog reached it, him and the ppl looking round. Thing was I was at work, had told him so and had told him the times I was available and would take the dog out. Funny though cos as big and noisy as the great goon is he'd not have been aggressive, he would have however jumped all over and licked them to death and probably tried to escape with an open door to go off for a walk. But hey ll thought I was just being awkward so that's OK!
I was paying the rent, his mortgage in effect, but yet he thought he was doing me a favour. Er no mate, it's mutually beneficial, I get somewhere to live and you get the rent!

abigailgabble · 10/08/2017 12:28

YABVU

they are paying you rent you know, probably a huge amount. you have plenty enough of the upper hand already.

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