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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 20:41

I thought so too Subtitles as if they were local then I'm sure they could come another time.

Hmmmwhatatodo, that sounds awful. Did the hotel refund you or knock anything off the cost of your stay?

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 16/08/2018 20:43

This is really not on. Of course you say no. You're paying the owner for a holiday let and they expect to be able to make use of the place, which they are doing if they are showing people round with a view to buying it.

Would the posters who say let them have the viewing think it was all right for them to come in and show other perspective holiday renters round while you're in there having your holiday?

And how many viewing would be acceptable during a weeks holiday, one, five, fifteen? Bloody ridiculous.

HairyHiker · 16/08/2018 20:49

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

Glad to hear it Smile

Original poster
DoWhatWhen · 16/08/2018 20:54

Not IOW Subtitles, we're in Ireland. It's so beautiful. Could happily live around here myself.

Anyone want to buy a 3 bed cottage by the sea? Grin

OP posts:
XingMing · 16/08/2018 20:59

That would not suit us. We are here for a holiday. Your client's intention to sell wasn't mentioned....... and if it had been, we would probably have selected another property. You have paid for use of the property for the week/fortnight. Jog on.

SubtitlesOn · 16/08/2018 21:02

I was guessing it was a ferry ride away for the viewer/holiday maker

But still no!!!!

Tinkobell · 16/08/2018 21:10

@Junes idea of a day's rent in lieu is reasonable. I'd suggest that.

didyouseetheflaresinthesky · 16/08/2018 21:11

I'd say yes and leave the biggest cucumber/carrot/other phallic looking object you can find in the middle of the bed and a tub of vaseline. They won't ask a second time.

Merryoldgoat · 16/08/2018 21:14

I don’t understand how this is a big deal...

I’d just say ‘fine, but I’m not tidying up or making any effort so your call’ and not give it another thought.

iamyourequal · 16/08/2018 21:14

No I wouldn’t do it. Yanbu. It’s detracting from your efforts to relax on holiday.

GetOffTheTableMabel · 16/08/2018 21:15

I should have thought that, in the event that something of yours went missing or was damaged, your holiday insurance would be unlikely to cover you. It’s certainly a polite reason for declining which they could not disprove. Not that you should feel obliged to make excuses.......

Rebecca36 · 16/08/2018 21:31

Do you seriously believe an estate agent and potential buyer would nick some of your stuff? Honestly!

They'll be in and out and won't affect you at all.

You're probably within your rights to refuse but seems mean.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 16/08/2018 21:34

It probably only has a market as a second home so the potential viewer could be on holiday in the area and leaving soon. However, that is not your problem, if they want to do viewings while also renting as a holiday let then they should have given you that information when you booked it so that you could make an informed choice.

willstarttomorrow · 16/08/2018 21:37

No. Are they renting it out (at a premium in August I guess) or trying to sell? The two do not mix and I would let the owner or letting agent know this.

TheFaerieQueene · 16/08/2018 21:45

We were overseas on holiday in a villa and the owners asked if the agent could come over with a couple to view, they were interested in renting the villa for the winter.

We said yes. Why wouldn’t we? It lasted 10 minutes, maybe 15. We sat by the pool and said hello/goodbye. No hassle at all. I can’t believe how so many people make such a fuss over nothing. As for asking for refunds. Jesus! Wouldnt the world be better if we just did more to help each other out?

JacNaylor · 16/08/2018 21:48

Agree.... as long as they deduct that day's rent from your final stay. If you've rented it for the week then it belongs to you for the week. If they need to use it for their own purpose (showing people around) then the do so on their own time, or offer you a refund. The request is out of order!

LeftRightCentre · 16/08/2018 21:55

Wouldnt the world be better if we just did more to help each other out?

Works both ways. He has the money for the cost of the hire for a week, and this time of year, I'm reckoning it was a lot of money. So hey, being helpful works both ways, he could offer the return the cost of some of the hire for inconveniencing his customer.

Why wouldn’t we?

Because some people, the OP included, does find it a big deal, it makes her unable to relax and enjoy the holiday she paid for.

Fuckedoffat48b · 16/08/2018 22:28

They are treating you like you are tenants, and it isn't really ok when landlords do this to tenants either. Why are property owners in this country so desperately unprofessional?

RedPanda2 · 16/08/2018 22:35

Honestly they shouldn't be renting it as a holiday home if they were going to accept viewings. I'd leave dirty pants on the floor just in case they turn up

hmmwhatatodo · 17/08/2018 00:39

Hi op, no, the hotel didn’t give any discount. When I asked the person on reception about it they looked at me like I was most odd for asking why they couldn’t wait till I had checked out. I would definitely made more of a fuss about it now.

underneaththeash · 17/08/2018 03:55

We had similar on holiday last year. They asked if someone could view the house at 9am the morning we were leaving. I said no - they could wait until we were out at 10.30!! In the end they turned up at 10.15 when we were trying to load up the car and we asked them to wait again as they were getting in the way.

Bloody cheeky IMO, it hasn't been a great week anyway and we would not hire through that company again.

Fifthtimelucky · 17/08/2018 06:50

I'd say yes too. Inconvenient, of course, and I ideally this wouldn't happen, but we're in peak holiday time so it would be difficult to leave spare days in between lettings for potential viewings.

In addition, the people wanting to view might be on holiday themselves, miles from home. Clearly it would be far more convenient to them to view the property while they are already in the area.

DappledThings · 17/08/2018 08:01

Really don't get what the big deal is. They asked, not demanded. Can't see what's cheeky at all about asking.

You're under no obligation to tidy up as it's not your property. Up to the agent to explain it's a holiday rental.

You said you're going to be out anyway so it doesn't affect you at all. Wouldn't have crossed my mind to say no.

wowfudge · 17/08/2018 08:14

You go on holiday to relax and it's all very well people saying you can take your valuables and no need to tidy up, etc but it is an imposition and who wants that half way through their holiday?

SunnyCoco · 17/08/2018 08:15

I’m with those who don’t understand the drama

I’d just say yes, but not go to any special effort

I find the world a nicer place when we’re all just a bit kinder