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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:
Slartybartfast · 17/08/2018 08:20

i would have the any insurance would be invalid if you allowed these people in, I probably would say no, can't you take the valuables with you?

Slartybartfast · 17/08/2018 08:20

i mean I would agree to this.

try asking for a refund?

prestidigitateuse · 17/08/2018 08:26

Rebecca, I found a viewer's daughter rifling through my earrings that were in a trinket box in my bedroom, so yes, I do believe people steal things on viewings! (The whole family was turned out on the spot!)

Tinkobell · 17/08/2018 08:27

I own a holiday let. People's reviews are very important to us and our business. We would NEVER ask this of our guests. I think in balance I'd say a very polite 'get lost' and don't ask again. It is cheeky fuckery and not nice for anyone who's paying for a holiday to feel that they're in the way or on the tail-end of the owners business interests.

Nicola345 · 17/08/2018 08:28

I dont see a problem, you were going to be out anyway and surely you only have a few valuables with you as you are on holiday so shouldnt be that much of a hassle to lock in car.

If you do agree just remind them that this is the only veiwing you will allow as you have paid for a relaxing holiday with his word that there was no viewings.

Tinkobell · 17/08/2018 08:29

Your own travel insurance (loss or damage) might be invalidated by strangers freely roaming the house.

MsJaneAusten · 17/08/2018 08:33

I’d be cross to even be asked tbh. I tend to live quite messily in holiday cottages (always leave them pristine, but take the chance to relax a bit during the week) and would feel I needed to tidy up. If I said no, I’d end up feeling guilty and that would affect the holiday too.

So no, YANBU. They’re being cheeky. Say no. Put the guilt aside.

ResistanceIsNecessary · 17/08/2018 08:33

It's not about kindness - it is about professionalism. It is not the OP's responsibility to have to 'be kind' so that someone else can have their cake and eat it.

The owner of the holiday cottage is running a business. They are charging for the sole use of the property which will be reflected in the price. This is not a tenancy agreement; the OP and her family are paying customers. Customers who specifically asked at the time of booking whether the property being up for sale would interrupt their holiday - and they were assured this would not be the case.

If the owner has their property on the market then they have two choices: Accept the fact that if you continue to let it during peak season then you are not going to be able to accommodate many viewings because paying customers will be in situ. Or keep blocks of time free between bookings to accommodate potential viewings.

It is completely unreasonable to charge a full let fee and then expect your customers to open the door to an EA and people viewing the property to buy it, when they are in the middle of their holiday. There's no way in hell I would have strangers traipsing around without me being there. People can and do help themselves to stuff - I know a couple of people who have had ornaments and perfume go missing after an unaccompanied viewing.

TheGoldenWolfFleece · 17/08/2018 08:50

What sort of grabby bastards arrange viewings when they're renting out their holiday cottage!?

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 17/08/2018 08:55

"You can have the viewing, but you'll be getting shat on in TripAdvisor".

thecatsthecats · 17/08/2018 08:59

Disgrace - since the owner is selling, that unfortunately wouldn't have too much of an impact.

Why do the 'be kind' martyrs never examine the other side of the coin?
"Can we do a viewing on Wednesday?"
"Oh, I'm afraid not, I have rented it out to a family who are paying a lot to be there and it wouldn't be KIND to foist this dilemma on them."

DappledThings · 17/08/2018 09:25

Why do the 'be kind' martyrs never examine the other side of the coin?
"Can we do a viewing on Wednesday?"
"Oh, I'm afraid not, I have rented it out to a family who are paying a lot to be there and it wouldn't be KIND to foist this dilemma on them."

Because it wouldn't be a dilemma for everyone! Like a few other people on here I wouldn't see it as any issue at all. I'm out, wouldn't see I need to do any tidying at all. It would be zero imposition on me. Nothing martyristic about it.

LeftRightCentre · 17/08/2018 09:40

How about he was kind by offering a partial refund? Thought not. Cake and eat it springs to mind.

DappledThings · 17/08/2018 09:46

But a refund for what? For someone being in a space the OP has rented but is not currently in where she has no obligation to tidy it or do anything other than what she planned to that day?

OP YANBU to refuse if it really bothers you that much. But landlord is not the slightest bit rude for asking. If he demanded or was at all pressuring you that's different but lots of people seem to think just requesting was outrageous.

Slartybartfast · 17/08/2018 09:46

otoh, did you say this was Ireland?
far more laid back sort of place i believe.

LeftRightCentre · 17/08/2018 09:49

But a refund for what? For someone being in a space the OP has rented but is not currently in where she has no obligation to tidy it or do anything other than what she planned to that day?

For having taken their money for exclusive use of a space and then wanting to reneg on that. Regardless of how she is using the space she has paid for its exclusive use. If we're going to go down the kind route well it works both ways and he can exercise kindness by offering a partial refund for any possible inconvenience to his customer who has paid for exclusive use of the space. It's a business transaction.

DappledThings · 17/08/2018 09:51

I didn't bring up kindness. I'm not putting any value judgement on it. To me it isn't a kindness because it's no imposition.

YoThePussy · 17/08/2018 09:58

OP, you menton your plans of going out for the day. What if you agree to this and the whole family came down with belly ache and the two bob bits. Not going to feel much like going out and having a bunch of randoms turning up to view would be the last straw.

Immaterial as probably sorted by now but just saying.

wowfudge · 17/08/2018 09:58

If this viewer really can't do any other time then the owner should have offered something by way of compensation or as a thank you at the time they contacted the OP.

YoThePussy · 17/08/2018 09:59

*mention i-pad with mind of its own. Menton is not in Ireland.

Tinkobell · 17/08/2018 10:30

I agree with @Resistance totally, the owner's a chancer. TBH as an owner and a user of Cottages myself , the very fact that the request was made and the stress of that was filling my holiday-time zen headspace would piss me off. Don't be polite and British (assuming you are) - say bugger off and quickly forget it's happened. Don't waste another hour on it.

IceCreamFace · 17/08/2018 10:33

I'm torn. I feel like I should just say yes and make no effort to tidy up (bring passports, iPhones with you). That said I'm a massive slob on holiday and would probably be too embarrassed to tidy up. If it makes you feel uncomfortable I think YWNBU to say no or yes but ask for a discount.

DarlingNikita · 17/08/2018 10:44

we wanted to help but holidays are a time to relax & we rented a cottage so that we could self-cater & have some privacy

Exactly. Good on you for saying no.

ArcadePixie · 17/08/2018 12:01

Wouldn't bother me

Dungeondragon15 · 17/08/2018 12:23

But a refund for what? For someone being in a space the OP has rented but is not currently in where she has no obligation to tidy it or do anything other than what she planned to that day?

It is quite an inconvenience. OP will have to be out for the day or put up with being their while someone is looking around the house. She will have to think about what stuff she would like to keep in her car she may feel the need to tidy up. You may not think she should feel like that but not everyone is the same as you. Many people value their privacy and don't want others entering the space that they have rented for the holiday. Even if I am in a hotel, I always put the "do not disturb" sign on the door as I hate the idea of strangers being in my space when I'm not there.