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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:
lyralalala · 30/10/2019 19:10

It's also really bad form (imo) to line up someone to move in straight away. What if your current tenant decides not to leave? It'll take months to remove them. Meanwhile someone else has given up their current accommodation and end up with nowhere to live

mamandematribu · 30/10/2019 19:11

As far as I am aware, the agent can legally show a prospective tenant the property if they give you at least 24 hours notice.

Venger · 30/10/2019 19:12

As far as I am aware, the agent can legally show a prospective tenant the property if they give you at least 24 hours notice.

Read the thread first.

Spoiler: they can't.

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 30/10/2019 19:13

No viewings risks putting that process back by up to 28 days.

No. That’s the standard and is what should be planned for. What you mean is tenants who generously allow viewings reduce the standard void period and earn their landlord some extra cash.

lyralalala · 30/10/2019 19:15

I think consideration and respect works both ways. If they’ve been a good landlord and want to do viewings at a convenient time I think it is shitty to refuse. not all landlords are rich property magnates (and no I am not a landlord).

Also the reference mentioning this is irrelevant to knowing what rights someone has. As long as it’s accurate they’re entitled to mention it, whether the tenant is acting unlawfully or not.

It does work both ways. As a LL with one property I know that not all are rich magnates, however many use the fact they are not as an excuse to be ignorant of what they can and can't actually do or to expect the tenant to give them extra consideration. Having been both a tenant and LL the vast majority of the time you hear of people refusing viewings is in cases like this - the LL/agent didn't show any consideration at all for the tenant. Told them when it had been booked for and basically told them they'd let themselves into her home.

The reference mentioning it is absolutely relevant. Especially in cases like this. If this LL says "Tenant refused viewings" they're only giving half the story. "Tenant refused viewing because we sprung it on her and told her the letting agent would access their home" doesn't sound quite so in their favour. I'd also bet the vast majority who mention it are LL's who don't know the rules around it, or who are daft enough to listen to absolutely everything their agent says without checking it out for themselves.

ThatMuppetShow · 30/10/2019 19:16

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

unless you changed the locks, how can you even know that very same estate agent didn't fit a camera in your home too? Grin

Sweetpea55 · 30/10/2019 19:16

DH works away so rents a flat. When he is moving on he gives notice. The Letting Agent can show prospective tenants anytime during the day while he is at work or over the weekend while he is away at home. But he won't agree to viewings in the evenings.
He says he's been at work all day, he just wants to have a bath a meal and relax.
There has been the odd time when a letting agent has turned up with people without prior arrangement. DH wouldn't let them in

thecatneuterer · 30/10/2019 19:16

It’s not making them lose money to decline viewings! Of course it is. There is always quite a long lead time - finding the right people who want it, references and then their preparation time. It's normally around 3 weeks from viewings to moving in.

And of course LL's aren't entitled to receive continuous rent. But for a couple of viewing sessions the LL could probably avoid losing more or less a month's rent. I bet anything that if the tenants had a choice of paying a random bill of £2000 say (average London monthly rent) or allow two one hour viewing slots, they'd decide the viewings were worth it!

underneaththeash · 30/10/2019 19:17

We're asked for references too and we take them up from potential renters as well. I usually speak personally to the previous landlord to find out how they were especially now limited deposits.

We know from experience not to accept difficult tenants after having a couple who refused entry for the gas/electric safety people and then complained that the certificate was out of date.

We would never, however, expect any of our tenants to facilitate last minute viewings or to inconvenience them, but we would expect a certain amount of flexibility

OP - I would simply say that you're really busy at the moment and can't guarantee that the house/flat will be "viewing ready". But that you can do viewings on XXX date.

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 30/10/2019 19:21

Of course it is.

No it isn’t! The landlord has to expect a void. That’s the business. It’s that simple. if the tenant is feeling generous they could agree to earn some extra cash for the LL but the LL should have no expectation of having extra cash.

ThatMuppetShow · 30/10/2019 19:22

WHY being shitty and bitter in general?

I mean, going as far as spending YOUR time and offering tea and biscuits is rather excessive the other way - it's nice, but really?! Shock

You give notice, then a few viewings need to be arrange. It's not that hard to be decent and allow at least a couple of hours a week or something.

You don't even have to be around, or you can make sure you are - viewers will spend a lot less time with you there.

yes, there's the law, and there's basic decency. It never hurts to leave a place in friendly place anyway.

ThatMuppetShow · 30/10/2019 19:22

*friendly TERM

Funguy · 30/10/2019 19:23

Say no they can't make you!

Liverbird77 · 30/10/2019 19:24

Here is a categorical answer: whatever it says in the tenancy agreement, you are not obligated to allow any viewings. You have the right to quiet enjoyment until you move out.
I have been a landlord and a tenant at various times. When I was a landlord, I never asked outgoing tenants to accommodate viewings, even though I needed to find new tenants.

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 30/10/2019 19:24

But for a couple of viewing sessions the LL could probably avoid losing more or less a month's rent

They’re not losing it!!

I bet anything that if the tenants had a choice of paying a random bill of £2000 say (average London monthly rent) or allow two one hour viewing slots, they'd decide the viewings were worth it!

How on earth is that relevant? Confused

Funguy · 30/10/2019 19:24

PS. Who wants to be friendly to bloody Letting Agents?

ThatMuppetShow · 30/10/2019 19:24

The landlord has to expect a void. That’s the business. It’s that simple.

cool, so landlords need to up the rent to cover themselves then - who's winning then... Don't complain rents are too high.

Funguy · 30/10/2019 19:25

cool, so landlords need to up the rent to cover themselves then - who's winning then... Don't complain rents are too high.

Funguy · 30/10/2019 19:26

'cool, so landlords need to up the rent to cover themselves then - who's winning then... Don't complain rents are too high.'

No, they have insurance that covers this. If you haven't, you are not a very clever landlord. Ahem.

IWorkAtTheCheescakeFactory · 30/10/2019 19:28

cool, so landlords need to up the rent to cover themselves then - who's winning then... Don't complain rents are too high.

If they haven’t already set the rent high enough to cover themselves then they’re a bit dim aren’t they? Grin not really cut out for business if you can’t work out what you need to charge.

thecatneuterer · 30/10/2019 19:33

No, they have insurance that covers this. If you haven't, you are not a very clever landlord. Ahem.

I would love to see what insurance exists for normal void periods. You can get insurance for voids if the property is uninhabitable due to flooding etc and you can get insurance to cover the rent of non paying tenants until they are evicted. Can you link to any insurance for normal void periods?

saraclara · 30/10/2019 19:33

The law is there to prevent landlords completely taking the piss. However, if you have a decent landlord, I don't see why being co-operative is such a big ask. I'd start off allowing viewings, but keep them to a specific day and time of the week that suits you. But if it starts to get silly, then you're in a better position to put your foot down, because you've been helpful up to then.

I really don't understand why, assuming the relationship has gone well so far, people want to kick off and risk ending on a sour note.

Quaffy · 30/10/2019 19:37

Which should be accounted for in your business plans and finances. The tenant is not responsible for that, you are

I was responding to a post saying it doesn’t cost landlords money.

silentpool · 30/10/2019 19:38

What is pretty common is to allow group or individual viewings at fixed times. So if you'll be out on Saturday morning, you let them view it then. That prevents the constant harassment. I think its not reasonable to prevent all viewings but you are entitled to set ground rules.

mumwon · 30/10/2019 19:42

@Funguy why would insurance cover change of tenancy? & any idea how much landlord insurance costs if you have all bells & whistles & will they find a way out of not paying you? I always try to give tenant a week or so notice & than do that seriously strange thing called talking to them & getting a mutually agreed time for visiting. I think the mistake here (probably by agent!) is in not discussing the subject before & working out what might be feasible - as for the camera - if you'r leaving why place a camera in the house? - if & when they get caught its a criminal matter -