.. to not allow prospective new tenants viewings while still living here?

[Lola528]

My landlord wants prospective new tenants in tomorrow to view the property we currently rent. We vacate on September 21st, so a good 7 weeks yet. I really don’t want to have anyone in my home right now (have asthma, not shielding level, but still a risk).

Our contract says they can give us 24 hours notice for viewings, but what about our “quiet enjoyment of the property” rights?

WIBU to say we will not accommodate viewings and they can wait till we leave? We will be gone around 14th September but pay/rent legally until 21st. So that gives them a week where we are still paying that it will be empty and ready to view.

@2155User I mentioned earlier, I’m not in the highest risk category, but am on steroid and other inhalers to keep it under control. Let’s just say a dose of COVID with my breathing issues could be fatal. My hubby also has blood pressure issues which is another risk category.

Why should we be forced to have strangers enter our home when we have not had one single person in it since lockdown? Is that fair?

Asthma increases your risk even if it is not so severe as to put you in the shielding category: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/

You absolutely do not have to allow viewings and I certainly wouldn't at the moment if I were vulnerable. No way.

@Lola528 hopefully they’re reasonable and accept what you’ve said without pressing the issue further. If it’s been 4 years since things were decorated then make sure they don’t try any deductions for painting etc as it would fall under fair wear and tear. Xx

Yanbu at all

If you wanted to you could do as suggested and invite but agent in full ppe to make a video. I normal times I would be of the opinion that it is nice to allow viewings st s certain time, every Friday evening for e.g.

I

@Throckmorton

I think the NHS website is slightly misleading. Asthma that is well controlled and not classed as severe by your GP (only using inhaler 1-2 times a day for example) doesn’t increase your risks, but wasn’t sure if OP was aware of this.

2155User. That's not what I understand, and being an asthmatic I'm pretty well versed on this

Lola528 Were you allowed to view the property you are moving into? Would you be moving if not. Think about it. Is there a valid reason for being difficult. If it was your property and your landlord was your Tenant, what would you think is fair and reasonable?

@PlanDeRaccordement it doesn't matter how you word it. A contract, or a clause can't be breached if it waived legal rights because it didn't exist as an enforceable term in the first place.

Eg if my 16yr old signs for £15k of credit, the contract can contain whatever clauses they like about repayment, but she wouldn't be in breach of contract when she didn't repay it, because it wasn't legally enforceable to start with.

Legally your fine, but it’s a dick move IMO

Asthma UK advice www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/what-should-people-with-asthma-do-now/#YourRisk "There isn’t any evidence to suggest that having asthma makes you more likely to catch coronavirus. However, there is some evidence that suggests that if you have asthma, you may be more likely to get seriously unwell if you did catch coronavirus."

@Throckmorton

Yes, was very shocked when both my husband and I had to continue to work even though we are both asthmatic as I thought, mainly at the beginning of lockdown, we would have to isolate or stay at home as much as possible. But GP’s said as long as it’s manageable, then no increased risk. So I read a few studies afterwards and it seems to confirm that

[quote 2155User]@imissthesouth

Absolutely, however the 7 days that the OP is suggesting is often not long enough to conduct viewings/get paper worked signed/references completed/rent money coming in, unless it’s in an area of high demand.

The risk is so very minimal and low if the viewings are conducted in basic PPE that I cannot see how it could be an issue.

Although I’m a landlord now, I’ve been a tenant in properties before, and it would’ve taken a lot for me to refuse access.[/quote]
That’s not the OP’s problem
LL’s should factor in at least a month for vacancies between each tennant

@Boomclaps

Never said it was the OP’s problem. Just said I think she is BU for the sake of 10 minutes.

YANBU. And sometimes landlords get more than they bargained for with these requests...

twitter.com/sandybatchelor/status/1262038309456547840?s=21

@roarfeckingroarr

Don't be that obstructive arsehole OP

I don’t think wanting to keep yourself safe during a world pandemic, when you’ve got health issues and pockets of the country are seeing rising R rates is actually being an “obstructive arsehole” Do you?

@2155User but to me it’s not just 10-15 minutes. I have to move everything to look neat and tidy (presumably I’d be even more frowned upon to allow viewings in an untidy home?) .. we are mid de-cluttering and just don’t have the spare room to move it all around to accommodate viewings as well as make it look like a show home. We are not the type who live in a pigsty, but it’s not show home immaculate either, but “lived in”

@2155User but is it 10 minutes, or is it ten minutes three times a week for the next seven weeks where it’s dangerous.

Yeah alright in usual situations but in the middle of a pandemic. It’s not actually unreasonable.

Would you feel comfortable with dozens Of strangers in your house right now? Really?

@Lola528

IMO there’s nothing wrong with lived in. A show home is not needed.

Quite clearly you aren’t comfortable with someone else being in your home so I would offer either A) to do a detailed walk through video or B) something live over FaceTime if needed for prospective tenants

I accept that the clause in the contract isn’t legally binding, but I wouldn’t sign a contract containing a clause that I’d no intention of adhering to. Why didn’t you query it at the time if you didn’t want any viewings with 24 hrs notice?

I understand that COVID-19 may have changed your opinion, but if you’re renting again, query every clause that you’re not comfortable with.

@Boomclaps

Any landlord/agent with a brain cell would organise it so the viewings happened on the same day/time as a small group for absolute minimal disruption

Wow so someone else who needs a home cant view because you don't want ten minutes inconvenience? I'm sure if you asked the agent they'd tell the viewers not to touch anything.

Sorry, sound very selfish. Hope you aren't in urgent need of a home in future.

@BonfireStarter
I wouldn't say it's like that under current circumstances...

Read the thread - it's not the inconvenience she's concerned about - it's the health risk.

I am a LL and put it in the contract that if tenant gives notice to quit we can show prospective new tenants around property with 24 hours notice. You could go out or wait in garden if you felt unsafe. If we were to give tenant notice to quit we would wait until they left before viewings. We have never had to ask anyone to leave.