Can I legally refuse estate agent access to my flat for valuation tomorrow?

[ohfofucksssake]

I'm so tired and fed up. I have a long term illness and am run down, and tomorrow is a day off work where I don't have other oblighations or hospital appointments and was really counting on being able to rest - wake up in my own time and see how I feel before going out anywhere.

This evening, the estate agent emailed to say they need access between 9am and 12 to do a valuation. It's a studio apartment so very small and I just don't want to get up before 9 to either hang round waiting for them or go out to pay for coffee while they do their thing.

I was thinking of emailing back to say they could come after 11am? That way gives me time in the morning? I feel like shit and this is almost upsetting me as I NEED time to rest and recuperate. Or else the rest of my week will be fucking shit.

Am I BU to suggest this? Can I legally ask for them to do that instead?

Could you email and say you have a D & V bug so it would be best if they stayed as far away as possible.

They have no legal right to enter your flat to carry out a valuation.

Your lease will say that they can enter for valuations, to show to other potential tenants, or for inspections.

However this does not overrule the basic legal principle that you have the right to “quiet enjoyment” of the flat you rent.

You can just say no.

I’d reply, saying that they cannot access the flat tomorrow and that in future they should request access further in advance.

As far as I know they have to give you 24 hours notice so I’d just refuse tbh.

You can say no. Say they can come between 11-1pm on Thursday, or whatever works for you.

Are you renting? As far as i remember its 24 hours written notice for access and you're entitled to "quiet enjoyment" of your home. I think stipulating after 11 for less than 24 hrs notice is perfectly fine. If there's going to be a trail of potential buyers trooping through expecting you to show them round and allow access i think its not a bad idea to make it clear you'll be helpful but not endlessly flexible. You have your own life to lead.

i think i would be ignoring any knocking and if anything said say oh you read the email but accidentally slept in

Everything @WerewolfNumber1 said.

The lease can say anything it wants but that doesn't trump your legal rights no matter what you sign.

The 24 hour minimum notice rule is in 99.9% of leases but is a rule for LLs and EA's to follow not the tenant. It means they have to give ample notice in their REQUEST to visit. You can say no.

And keep your safety chain on. Many unscrupulous EAs and LLs will try to just walk in using a key they hold.

If they do attempt to gain access, change your locks to stop any future attempts. Tenants are allowed by law to change locks as long as they cause no damage and put the old lock back. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to do that anyway. You don't know what previous tenants still hold a key.

I'm not saying don't allow them to come by, just make sure it's when it suits you.

I’m a landlord and they have to give you 24hrs notice - here’s the link to the government website

www.gov.uk/renting-out-a-property/making-repairs

Thank you ok I will suggest after 11am. I don't mind being helpful if it doesn't bugger up my week.

Yes they have keys though so I will be annoyed if they come in anyway and I'm half asleep or in the shower. Oh well hopefully they will respect my email.

Beetlebum yes but it’s 24 notice if a request. A tenant can still say no.

*of

Minimum 24 hours notice you are well within your rights as tenant to refuse access - and I totally would otherwise they're just going to take the piss going forwards

You can say no, of course you can. How much notice did they give you? Email them and tell them when it’s convenient. Giving you a time slot of 3 hours is a pain in the arse. Tell them 11 or later, when its convenient to you, basically.

Can you bolt the door to prevent them coming in and then go to sleep with some ear plugs?

PPs have given good advice re access notice period and right to quiet enjoyment. Besides, you are unwell. Tell them to fuck off for the entire day and suggest times to suit you.

Your health is more important.

Now you’ve sent that email I would put something heavy against the front door to stop them coming in anyway and claim they hadn’t read your reply

Can’t you deploy the lock snib to ensure privacy ?

I would respond that I am currently very unwell and bedridden, tomorrow will not work at all. Please reschedule for another day later this week. A few days delay for them will hardly make any difference.

I see everyone already told you about the 'they need to give you 24hours notice' thing.

Regarding the 'they have keys' bit -
If its a Yale-style lock, then flick the lock so they cant open it even with a key.
If its one of the other locks, then leave your key in it once youve locked the door behind you - they wont be able to use theirs. Same goes if its one of the really old-fashioned locks.

I had estate agents that would give me an hours notice, and after about the 3rd time of being nice I got pissed off - so now if they ignored my emails or phonecalls then they would just be wasting their time to come out, cause they couldnt get in!
Amazing how fast they start giving you 48 hours notice, haha!

The 24 hours thing is only in case of an emergency repair. It's not a repair so feel free to refuse them. I'm also a LL and would never do this to my tenants.

OP, I'd give them a call and speak to someone, it's easy for them to ignore emails.

You could refuse access due to the relatively short notice but don't be too surprised if they issue you with a notice to leave in the not too distant future.
If they're sending a valuer around then it's quite likely that they are considering selling your flat. If a tenant is considered uncooperative in letting people in to view etc, they may decide it's easier to sell with vacant possession.

Maybe the valuation is for other purposes other than selling the flat, so you may be ok

You don't have to let them in at all, regardless of how much notice they have given you. It's legally a request, and unless you agree (or it's an emergency), they CANNOT enter, no matter what is written in the lease.

Did they turn up OP?