Is the letting agent being an absolute twat here?

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

Any advice appreciated. Not the most exciting AIBU but I'm really pissed off.

Gave notice on our flat. Have six weeks left in tenancy. Landlady lives abroad so we deal with letting agent who has been up until now ok (apart from the time he told us off about the washing up when he he came round to look at the bathroom and when he entered the flat randomly to measure up something saying he thought we'd gone on holiday)

Now, understandably they don't want a gap in the tennants but they put the poky flat with awful plumbing and no storage space on at £1100 (London zone 3) so there's been quite a slow take on it. They made the photos look good though so people want to veiw it. That's ok, we've tried to be flexible BUT the letting agent was texting and saying 'can I block book 6-8pm on Wednesday night' or 'can I do a viewing this lunchtime?' I mean, we live here. All our stuff is here. We are still paying rent here. No consideration to any of that but as we were going to be out of the flat for three week nights last week I offered those. Letting agent could only do one. No takers.

Asked to book a viewing at 9am on this Saturday morning. I said no, (we are out at a party tonight and I don't fancy getting up early to tidy and vacate on a weekend) BUT you can do it when we go out for lunch at 12. Can't do that so now apparently we have 'jeapordised the chances of re letting a flat for refusing to let them in on Saturday)

Anyway, after reading up on a few tennants rights etc, I found the 'right to quiet enjoyment law' which actually means we could refuse viewings altogether if we so chose. I also know that he has to give us 24 hours notice of he wishes to access and we have to give permission unless it's an emergency. So I emailed him quite a balanced and fair email this morning, saying that viewing times need to be worked around us and not the other way around, and offered him a couple of days next week.

He's sent one back and I'm livid but DP is saying take a step back for now before we respond.

Just going to work out how to blur names then will screenshot the emails.

How to respond? I think he's wrong. He states that he has every right to access the property. I am sure that's not correct but DP is worried we've rocked the boat now.

Ok so the best thing to do is to respond precisely and succinctly stating
1- you withdraw permission for him to enter the property at any time other than xyz times
2- if he attempts to enter at any other time you will consider it trespass and harassment
3- you will write to the landlord expressing your concern at the inappropriate conduct of the letting agents
4- statutory law entitles you to quiet enjoyment which supersedes the clause in the tenancy agreement
End

Hmm, this seems to be getting a bit more serious, gone from bullish to bullying. Other posters seem to be very knowledgeable and I like the suggestion that you deal with the landlord direct.

Fair enough about my email. I wanted to be a lot blunter actually but DP was urging me to tone things down a bit. (I was getting increasingly frustrated) I should have gone with my first instinct on that!

Thank you Adalind I've screenshot that*

Landlady lives in Australia! Wish she was easier to contact. I think her address should be on our tenancy agreement though

No offence OP but your DP sounds a bit wet

He's so rude. I rent out our old house and really dislike letting agents in general. I've had a go at ours on the tenants' behalf before now. Complete slime balls. I'm sure there must be some good agents out there but I'm yet to find one.

DontTouch

Normally not. It on this occasion I will agree!

If he is the boss go straight to the complaints body, you've exhausted his complaints procedure.

If he's not a member of the complaints body, then he's committing an offence, and you need to talk to the council (he's in line for a 5grand fine)

I would tell him you are rescinding any agreement to viewings due to your legal rights.

Make it very clear he does not have permission to enter your home until you have vacated

Assuming your deposit is protected in a scheme (would be rather delightful if they hadn't done this as you could sue them) they will not be able to retain any of your deposit without proof, wear and tear will be judged on a sliding scale and they would get a tiny amount or nothing so unless you have actually broken something expensive you have nothing to worry about. Tell your DP this. I have rented out property before and always discounted the rent for tenants who allowed viewings!

I would email him to say you have taken mumsnet legal advice and you will not allow further viewings.

Sounds like he's trying to pass the buck.

Oh OP.

You have to have landlord contact details on your tenancy agreement.

Please tell me he hasn't secured your deposit, that will really screw him over!

"if you must know"...ooooh shirty little twerp isn't he?!

No extra to add to what other pp have said about what you need to say back, except for - please stop prefacing your sentences with "I'm sorry, but..."

Just take it out, its unnecessary and puts you on the back foot.

I did hear about rent reduction for viewings. Sadly none have been offered. We really were prepared to be flexible to a point but we are paying through the bloody nose to live here and we still have six weeks left!!

We had a letting agent coming in the bedroom at about 10am one Saturday when we were in bed. They didn't give any notice, FFS. We went mental at the letting agent, and the LL. And refused all viewings from there on.

DP was working from home at the time so he just kept the bolt locked on the door and even tho we had said we refused viewings a few times the letting agent tried to get into the house!

The 'I'm sorry but,' wasn't from me I don't think. I don't regenerate prefacing anything like that?

*remember.

I'm frustrated at DP too if I'm honest as over the last week I've said numerous times that I feel tha letting agent is taking the piss. And he's been all 'no no, I'm sure he just wants to get the job done...'

From what you've said you have been more than reasonable with viewing times. If they want any time access then they'll have to wait until you've gone. Why should you put up with this inconvenient intrusion because they don't want to lose a penny in rent. I agree with going to his superior. He is being ridiculous. I don't agree with not allowing any viewings. But the times should be to suit you as you are paying rent.

I work in a Lettings department. You do not have to allow viewings, we have had many people refuse them whilst they are still living there. Sometimes it's easier to let them anyway, once they are empty. As for commenting on the washing up, your letting agent should see some of the properties I have inspected! It's your home, not a show home!

He has no rights to enter. Unless the roof is caving in.

After that email, tell him you're not going to condone any further viewings and he can wait until you're out.

If he says he has the right, let him turn up and don't answer the door. If he attempts to open it himself, he's breaking the law & you can call the police.

Well I think that's another thing that annoys me.... it's actually fuck all our problem if they don't find a new tenant in time!

Oh what a twat!