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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse viewings during tenancy

295 replies

Folle · 30/10/2019 15:36

I gave a month's notice to end the current tenancy. I just received an email from the estate agent saying 'I have booked a viewing for 6pm tomorrow - will you be there to facilitate access or should we bring keys?"
This is a hugely stressful time for me and I simply cannot deal with strangers traipsing through the house.
Can I refuse to have viewings during the rest of my tenancy?

OP posts:
FinallyHere · 30/10/2019 15:37

Absolutely refuse. You have the right to quiet enjoyment of the tenancy.

AWaspOnAWindowReturns · 30/10/2019 15:39

Check your tenancy agreement. Some have a clause to say the tenant cannot unreasonably deny access for viewings during the last month of the tenancy.

Greenkit · 30/10/2019 15:39

Totally refuse

thecatneuterer · 30/10/2019 15:39

You can refuse. But it's a shitty thing to do. Can you offer a particular time slot - for example Saturday afternoon?

DriftingLeaves · 30/10/2019 15:41

I think if it's written into the agreement you have to facilitate viewings.

Newbie1981 · 30/10/2019 15:42

You expect the landlord to have the house sitting empty? Can't you just arrange to be out?

flabagoose · 30/10/2019 15:42

you would be unreasonable to point blank refuse as the landlord needs to find someone quickly before you leave. you could however suggest more appropriate dates / times/notice.

thecatneuterer · 30/10/2019 15:42

Check your tenancy agreement. Some have a clause to say the tenant cannot unreasonably deny access for viewings during the last month of the tenancy. They can, but are unenforceable and the tenants' right to quiet enjoyment trumps tenancy agreement clauses.

I still think it's shitty to refuse completely though. It will cost the LL a lost of lost rent and it is the OP's choice to leave. But it's completely fair to negotiate how and when viewings can be done.

confusedandemployed · 30/10/2019 15:45

You've given notice, I really don't think it's reasonable to expect the landlord to wait until you've moved out until he shows prospective new tenants. It'll cost him money in lost rent.
You may well be within your rights to do this, but I agree with PP - that doesn't mean it's not shitty.

Slappadabass · 30/10/2019 15:45

If they have been decent landlords then I'd let them, if you can avoid someone loosing money then why not.
If they have been shit landlords tell them to sod off!!

HappyHarlot · 30/10/2019 15:46

You don't have to facilitate this, regardless of what may be unlawfully written into your contract.

Original poster
Folle · 30/10/2019 15:46

Thank you @thecatneuterer for your advice.

My friend had an estate agent visit for inspection while she was out and found a camera fitted in her bedroom the next day. Ever since then I'm terrified of strangers coming in to the house - even when I'm there - let alone when I'm not.

OP posts:
HappyHarlot · 30/10/2019 15:47

Any loss of potential income for the LL is not the responsibility of the OP. If the LL cannot afford a month or two with a vacant property, then they are in the wrong business.

LolaSmiles · 30/10/2019 15:48

You could refuse, but if they've been a good landlord and you're around then it would seem a bit of an arsey thing to do in my opinion.

Redred2429 · 30/10/2019 15:48

I think you have to resonably allow viewings the owner needs to arrange what is happening with the property after you leave op

thecatneuterer · 30/10/2019 15:51

My friend had an estate agent visit for inspection while she was out and found a camera fitted in her bedroom the next day

Well that's terrible but the chances of it happening are unlikely to the point of impossibility (gosh that's a clunky sentence)

thecatneuterer · 30/10/2019 15:52

Also do you need a reference from this LL?

AgathaX · 30/10/2019 15:52

My friend had an estate agent visit for inspection while she was out and found a camera fitted in her bedroom the next day - this is hard to believe. If it happened as your friend said then there must have been more to it than just the estate agent fitting a camera.

You would be very unreasonable to refuse viewings.

HappyHarlot · 30/10/2019 15:53

I think you have to resonably allow viewings the owner needs to arrange what is happening with the property after you leave op

No she doesn't and what the owner needs to do with it afterwards is not her responsibility.

StroppyWoman · 30/10/2019 15:54

I think you'd be unreasonable to refuse outright but perfectly reasonable to give times/dates that are unacceptable.

Hoppinggreen · 30/10/2019 15:56

It’s unbelievably unlikely that anyone will install a camera while you are out

DriftingLeaves · 30/10/2019 15:57

OP would be daft not to allow viewings. She will need a reference at some time and would like her deposit back. The LL could well find lots of small faults and retain a lot of the deposit, just to be bloody minded like the OP.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 30/10/2019 15:57

I think YABU, the landlord has the right to try and let it out. I would certainly at least propose times you are comfortable with.

Alaimo · 30/10/2019 15:58

I think it is somewhat unreasonable to refuse all viewings, but the estate agent is a CF for only giving a day's notice. Yes, it's the nice/normal thing to do to allow viewings, but your right to quiet enjoyment does trump your landlord's right to have randomers entering your home whenever they want.

Compromise, write back saying: I am happy to accommodate viewings on 7 November between 6 and 8pm and 10 November between 12 and 2 pm. (Or whatever day/time you would be happy with).

If your landlord/the agency disagrees with this, then you have a few options, including changing the locks. But it's up to you whether you think that is worth the hassle, whether you're willing to jeopardise a positive reference from your landlord, etc.

SellmeyourMLMcrap · 30/10/2019 16:00

I will join the YABU crew but unlike some are saying (some have it right too) I just want to make absolutely clear that this is your decision OP, it is not the landlords decision or the agents. Any contract term is unenforceable.

And while I said YABU, I've read your reasoning and if it makes you feel like that then it doesn't matter if everyone else in the world thought you were unreasonable, it's your home, your life and your decision.