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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

373 replies

Lola528 · 04/08/2020 21:32

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.

OP posts:
Throckmorton · 05/08/2020 12:07

What is your problem Handsoffisback ? It's perfectly possible that the OP hasn't been out at all since lockdown, hasn't been in a shop, or met anyone outside her household. Stop arguing against strawmen

SpringFan · 05/08/2020 12:07

DS moved recently. Letting agent had done an virtual viewing on line- actually pointed out a couple of flaws. Then he and his housemate and some other people else who had expressed serious intent, had a viewing on a Saturday morning. Then the referencing etc was done. Took 2-3 weeks.
Would that work for you OP? If virtual tour was done by someone in PPE or perhaps you could agree to do it?

SpringFan · 05/08/2020 12:08

Sorry OP, cross post

Smallsteps88 · 05/08/2020 12:08

So now prospective tenants are disease riddled thieves?!

No, prospective tenants are potential disease riddled thieves. Just like any other kind of stranger that would come to your home. Many people are symptom free of covid. And thieves don’t wear signs either.

RandomUser3049 · 05/08/2020 12:09

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Lola528 · 05/08/2020 12:09

@Handsoffisback I have been out very little since lockdown, not that it’s relevant to my rights as a tenant. I’ve used home deliveries where possible and when not able to get those have gone to my local store, wore correct PPE and taken the necessary steps when I got home to minimise any impact from bring out. I can hand on heart say I have not had a single visitor to our home this entire time, and I intend to keep it that way.

OP posts:
Smallsteps88 · 05/08/2020 12:09

How on earth do people think those that own their home are managing during this pandemic?

Well many aren’t allowing strangers, or even people they know and love, into their homes.

RandomUser3049 · 05/08/2020 12:11

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Smallsteps88 · 05/08/2020 12:11

She is being deliberately difficult.

I don’t think the OP is the one being deliberately difficult on this thread.

mrpumblechook · 05/08/2020 12:13

So now prospective tenants are disease riddled thieves?!

What a ridiculous comment. Have you heard that there is a virus going around that has killed quite a lot of people particularly those with underlying conditions.

Goodness me I’ve heard it all. How on earth do people think those that own their home are managing during this pandemic?

Eh? What are people who own their own home having to do during the pandemic in order to "manage" that is different from tennants?

Smallsteps88 · 05/08/2020 12:13

Surely you can meet the LL halfway here.

What favour should the landlord do in return for this favour from OP? Last month rent free?

Throckmorton · 05/08/2020 12:17

She is offering virtual viewings - how is that not meeting the LL halfway Handsoffisback?

RosiePosie15 · 05/08/2020 12:25

I don’t think you can really say ‘no’ to this, I’m afraid. Maybe just not be there at the time (go for a walk or the park, etc) and ask them not to touch your stuff or for them to wear gloves.

Ragwort · 05/08/2020 12:28

Where are you moving to OP, have you viewed your next property?

Redhair23 · 05/08/2020 12:29

Erm, you can say no to this. You are paying full rent for sole occupancy and the house is yours until the contract is ended.

It’s not usually one quick visit either, it often is multiple viewings and often at late notice as letting agents do not give a damn about tenants private lives or convenience.

Jaxhog · 05/08/2020 12:32

How on earth do people think those that own their home are managing during this pandemic?

Well, quite a few are going to beaches, having parties and ignoring the guidelines for one! Just because the OP hasn't been a shielding hermit is no reason why they should be asked to take additional risks. She's offered to do a video tour, which should be sufficient.

floralf · 05/08/2020 12:33

@Crazycrazylady

I think you are not unreasonable to not want hoardes through your apartment but I think you are being very unreasonable to blanket ban viewings without any compromise. I'm a landlord and have always found that if you're fair with your tenants than they'll be fair with you. I would definitely mention that you didn't allow viewings in your landlord reference though which would be a deal breaker for a lot of new potential landlords.
Totally agree with this. Also think it's strange for you to consider it your home when it's a rented property. I've rented several times for long periods of time and I never consider the property "mine" or "my home"

I think it's completely reasonable for you to not want people in and out given covid restrictions, but it would be helpful/reasonable to offer up alternatives so the property isn't left empty at the end of your tenancy ie. video viewing

scentedgeranium · 05/08/2020 12:36

Hand sanitiser at the door, masks on; people are used to compliance with this kind of thing now. They will NOT want to touch your stuff. Think of the risk they might be running. They don't know you're semi shielding (I just made that term up but it seems
To cover what you're doing).
I'm a LL and my tenants have been shielding tho they haven't had a letter to instruct them. Boiler went wrong and they were quite happy for me to send round a plumber who wore a mask and sanitised his hands. Obv they all kept their distance.
But like you say it's up to you.

Original poster
Lola528 · 05/08/2020 12:38

@Ragwort we are moving to Scotland, and no, did not get to view it other than pictures online. In Scotland, viewings are not allowed while tenants are in situ during the pandemic. Even after it’s empty, only one viewing per 72 hours is allowed.

@Redhair23 we found they were already trying it on before we refused. Had one booking for 1730 then they called day before and said “we’ve added a 1700 viewing, and your dog must be put outside as the viewer has allergies” - they show no regard for us, so we are returning the favour!

OP posts:
HouchinBawbags · 05/08/2020 12:42

I keep seeing the same question over and over. Has he been a good landlord?

Op herself has stated that he said he was intending on doing repairs and improvements and then didn't once he was getting her rent in full each month.

She has said that there is a flooring issue that he has said he will not repair until the tenancy is over. So no. He hasn't been a "good" landlord.

OP, you say that there has been no gas check since 2019. How long past it's due date is it? Or worse, did it expire in 2019?

A "good" landlord to me is someone who not only does what they're legally required to do but does a little more such as decorating more often than just in-between many years long tenancies.

OP, it's a pandemic. Say no thank you to viewings. A void is expected by landlords.

And despite what a PP says, you are not stopping someone else having a place to live. How fucking ridiculous is that?!?!

Oh and my DH is asthmatic, and it's very well managed. Yet still he was sent a shielding letter because having ANY underlying respiratory conditions makes it more likely that Covid can have fatal consequences.

Redhair23 · 05/08/2020 12:45

[quote Lola528]@Ragwort we are moving to Scotland, and no, did not get to view it other than pictures online. In Scotland, viewings are not allowed while tenants are in situ during the pandemic. Even after it’s empty, only one viewing per 72 hours is allowed.

@Redhair23 we found they were already trying it on before we refused. Had one booking for 1730 then they called day before and said “we’ve added a 1700 viewing, and your dog must be put outside as the viewer has allergies” - they show no regard for us, so we are returning the favour![/quote]
Yep, standard letting agent behaviour.
As for the poster saying rented places shouldn’t be considered a home, this is how tenants are looked on by a lot of homeowners/landlords.

mrpumblechook · 05/08/2020 12:50

@RosiePosie15

I don’t think you can really say ‘no’ to this, I’m afraid. Maybe just not be there at the time (go for a walk or the park, etc) and ask them not to touch your stuff or for them to wear gloves.
Read the thread. As the law is on OPs side, why do you think she can't say "no" to this?
Smallsteps88 · 05/08/2020 12:52

Also think it's strange for you to consider it your home when it's a rented property.

So where would you like her to consider as her her home? Hmm or are tenants never to have a home?

lyralalala · 05/08/2020 12:54

Also think it's strange for you to consider it your home when it's a rented property.

I'd consider myself a shit landlord if my tenants felt they couldn't see the home they are paying for as their home

Original poster
Lola528 · 05/08/2020 12:56

@HouchinBawbags yes, it expired August 2019 (gas cert). We haven’t even had an inspection in the four years we’ve been here (great from our perspective). He hasn’t been bad at all in terms of fixing things when reported (until we’ve said we’re leaving, and now stated “it’s not worth it”) so no real complaints, but no pro-active gestures for sure.

OP posts:
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