Aibu to not let the estate agent hold viewings?

[LouLouLoupee]

Posting on behalf of Dsis, we are in Scotland.

Dsis has been in her rental flat for 4.5 years. The LL is our cousin, everything is above board in regards to rental agreement, deposit etc.

Cousin has decided to sell the flat as a part exchange on a new build, Dsis has notice to quit and will be moving out mid March.

The house builders have instructed an estate agent to market and sell the property. Since being served the notice to quit Dsis has made the flat available for EA photos, surveys and safety certificates. This has been incredibly stressful for her as she works full time, is taking on overtime to help fund her move and has the added complication that she has a rescue dog that doesn't take well to strangers coming into the flat. She is also having to find time to view properties herself and get ready for moving.

The EA has been trying arrange viewings for the flat, but they are unable to find a mutually convenient time.

House builders are now threatening to pull out if access to the flat is 'not provided on a regular basis.' Obviously we don't want our cousin to lose out on his house, but really not sure what else Dsis can do. EA want a key to hold viewings while Dsis is out, but she isn't sure how the dog would react.

Has anyone else been through similar? We know her rights in terms of 'quiet enjoyment of the property' and allowing reasonable access with notice. But at what point does it become unreasonable?

Doggy Daycare is the answer (and yes I really struggled to find anywhere that lets you rent with a dog

Why does the tenant have to allow access for viewings?

Why is she being hugely unreasonable?

Both TheDailyMail and I are landlords and we are both on the tenants side.

Bluelady
Viewings are the owner’s problem, nobody else’s.

I've replied further up the thread - I'm a former LL and did wait until our property was empty before selling it, but partly because the tenant was a prat! In the circumstances that the OP has stated, I don't see why her sister can't allow viewings. Is she only viewing empty properties herself when she is looking for her next home? Rentals here can be hard to find so it's usual to view when the tenants are still in the property and there is a couple of weeks to clean or do anything needed before the next tenant moves in. When we needed to rent due to relocation, we were shown round one property by the agent when the tenants were out (and one where they were in, also with the agent).

Also agree that it's hard to rent if you have pets but I'm not in Scotland. Usual to take an extra pet deposit for potential damage.

I think the best compromise is for your sister to speak to the estate agents direct and state which days/time window they can access the flat. At least then when interested viewers call to make a viewing appointment they will know which day/time to offer.

With having the dog there, the poor thing may be terrified by strangers coming in and I'd be concerned in case he escaped and got out the door.

Access has to be reasonable on both sides.