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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say 'No' to this viewing?

104 replies

DoWhatWhen · 16/08/2018 19:23

Renting a holiday cottage and we've just had a message from the owner asking if we would mind an estate agent bringing people round tomorrow for a viewing.

I don't want this to happen as I feel like I'll need to stay in to keep an eye on our stuff or lock valuables in the car. We had planned to be out at the time the viewing is taking place.
I also don't want to have to pack all of our clothes into the cases.There aren't any wardrobes here so we've got clothes on chairs in the bedrooms.

When we arrived and saw the 'For Sale' sign we did ask if there would be any viewings and were told no but the owner is saying the viewer can't do any other time.

AIBU to refuse to let them do a viewing. Can I actually refuse to let them?

OP posts:
Original poster
DoWhatWhen · 16/08/2018 19:55

So glad the majority think it's cheeky. Laughing at LeftRightCentre's suggestion of leaving a trap - DS is suggesting the same.

Feeling a bit mean as I know viewings are precious when you're trying to sell a property.

OP posts:
OutPinked · 16/08/2018 19:57

No way! I wouldn’t bother clearing up you clothes and I’d sit there on the sofa while the viewing was happening watching TV or something as well. Make it as awkward as they are making it for you.

Dollymixture22 · 16/08/2018 19:59

They should leave a day or so between rentals to facilitate viewings rather than disrupt their customers holiday.

You are totally right to say no.

ResistanceIsNecessary · 16/08/2018 19:59

Feeling a bit mean as I know viewings are precious when you're trying to sell a property.

Yes they are. But they are trying to have their cake and eat it. It is completely unreasonable to carry on advertising it as a holiday rental and allowing people to book it and stay there, then expecting your customers to accommodate estate agent viewings! And I say that as someone who went through the house sale from hell last year and was desperate for viewings and a buyer.

Holiday lets are expensive. If they aren't offering you a discount on the rental then tell them to get stuffed.

Bluelady · 16/08/2018 20:02

It's massively cheeky but I'm sorry to say I'd allow the viewing because I'm a total pushover when it comes to stuff like this.

fruitbrewhaha · 16/08/2018 20:04

I'd have said yes, and I wouldn't tidy up.

I'd like to help someone out if I could. Would make no difference to me if I was out anyway so why not.

Maybe one day you will need someone to help you with something.

HairyHiker · 16/08/2018 20:06

Same thing once happened to us op.

We had paid a small fortune for the privilege of staying there. I didn't think it was on for all the reasons you have mentioned and so said no to the viewing. It was met with the response of "Really?" Err...yes..."Really!"

They are being CF's. You've paid good money to be there and have a right to enjoy your holiday in peace and without interruption.
Tell them to jog on!

Oh and enjoy the rest of your holiday Smile

LeftRightCentre · 16/08/2018 20:06

Feeling a bit mean as I know viewings are precious when you're trying to sell a property.

Then he shouldn't have rented it out for money as a holiday let. I agree with Myimaginary. Screw him, it's not your job to facilitate his flogging his spare house.

LeftRightCentre · 16/08/2018 20:09

*I'd like to help someone out if I could. Would make no difference to me if I was out anyway so why not.

Maybe one day you will need someone to help you with something.*

And the OP, is helping him out, by paying him for the hire of the space. There's a difference between help and taking the piss out of people.

Hidillyho · 16/08/2018 20:12

I was going to say leave a trap but that’s been covered.
Or, if you wanted to you could go buy some cheap mouse traps and lay them around the house and use some coco pops and mouse poop to look like they have an infestation Grin

museumum · 16/08/2018 20:14

It wouldn’t bother me tbh but I also wouldn’t tidy my stuff away. I don’t really think I’d have valuables on holiday I would have out with me anyway if I was away for he day (phone, wallet, maybe a tablet).

ChasedByBees · 16/08/2018 20:18

Hell no.

SilverHairedCat · 16/08/2018 20:19

No way. CF.

How are you to reply? By text, phone or email? If email, I'd be saying you have paid handsomely for exclusive use of the property and at no time was it made apparent that you would have to provide access for people to have the opportunity to access and root through your personal belongings and valuables. If it had been made clear you would not have booked. Advise them you will not be permitting access for this viewing and that you take a dim view of the expectation that you as a customer should be expected to accommodate this given the price you have paid for exclusive use of the property.

SilverHairedCat · 16/08/2018 20:19

Sorry. 3 pints of cider. Repetitive.

Original poster
DoWhatWhen · 16/08/2018 20:21

This was our dilema fruitbrewhaha, we wanted to help but holidays are a time to relax & we rented a cottage so that we could self-cater & have some privacy.

I feel a lot better saying no now that I've read all of your replies.

Thank you HairyHiker, we're having a great holiday Smile

OP posts:
rosamundhopelovesdogs123 · 16/08/2018 20:21

I would let them view.

Why not go a good turn if you can?

I wouldn't be worried that they will steal your clothes; that seems a bit paranoid.

They're not expecting you to tidy up - as a quid pro quo I might not be quite so fastidious in my cleaning up when I leave, tho'.

LeftRightCentre · 16/08/2018 20:23

Why not go a good turn if you can?

Because as she explained she booked the place to relax and have a holiday and this causes her stress and makes her anxious. That owner is cheeky as fuck.

Mummyoflittledragon · 16/08/2018 20:24

With rentals it’s best to sell untenanted. I’d think that applies to holiday lets as well.

They aren’t allowed access without your permission.

hmmwhatatodo · 16/08/2018 20:28

Reminds me of the time I stayed in a hotel with my children (extremely rare treat) and some workmen knocked on the door and said they had to get in to do work on the room and no it couldn’t be done later, had to be done now. Totally ruined the very short holiday. I wasn’t used to staying in hotels so had no idea if it was normal or not.

NewPapaGuinea · 16/08/2018 20:28

The viewer can’t be very serious if that’s the ONLY time they can do!

Original poster
DoWhatWhen · 16/08/2018 20:32

Not concerned about clothes being stolen rosamund, no-one would bother with my scruffy jeans & hoodies Grin. It's the tech things & camera I was worried about.

OP posts:
AuntyJackiesBrothersSistersBoy · 16/08/2018 20:34

No. This is unacceptable. Bloody cheek!

SubtitlesOn · 16/08/2018 20:35

I reckon the viewer is on holiday

But like I said earlier deffo no from me

SubtitlesOn · 16/08/2018 20:38

Are you on IOW by any chance?

serbska · 16/08/2018 20:40

Sure, if you refund me £400