To dread giving my landlord notice - my rights?

[Lizzie523]

I am about to become a home owner for the first time (very exciting!) and will need to give one month's notice to my landlord as I am renting currently.

I am thinking it is getting cold and we are on a circuit breaker here, so it doesn't suit to be going out every other evening while viewings are happening. I'm dreading the thought of telling them.

Does anyone have any info or have any info on what my rights will be as a tenant when it comes to the landlord arranging viewings? will I be able to limit it to certain evenings and time slots etc?

I last did this about 5 years ago.

Whenever I have interviewed respective tenants while a property was occupied we have never needed to do it over more than two evenings, and I also don't mind having the current tenants there because it's usually easier to promote the house because my tenants are so lovely

*prospective

That is a bit more reassuring @AKissAndASmile. The flat I live in is in a great location and an excellent price. Haven't seen any other flats as good at this price point locally for ages.

In my head I am imagining weeks of having people in my home. Would rather not especially with covid.

If you’re buying, you’re in the lucky position where you can refuse all viewings.

You have a right to peaceful enjoyment of your home, and don't have to let anyone view. So anything more than "no viewings" is generous.

Surely a compromise can be had. You ‘refusing’ viewings may stop someone getting a much needed roof over their head or your LL being able to get rent again (and I’m not a landlord or landlord fan having had major issues with a horrid flat years ago).

Lots of places are doing video tours right now instead of in person. If they really want in person, ask for them to all be one day a week, so you can don't have to spend your whole life cleaning/disinfecting the place.

In this climate a nice property will sell quickly so you shouldn't have weeks of viewings.

Maybe offer a Saturday morning (or whatever suits you) open viewing and get it over with in one fell swoop.

Your landlord will appreciate it and you won't be stressed out

Your tenancy agreement will specify what is expected of you once notice is given.

I had to allow many viewings at my last house as the landlord was selling it.

Tenancy agreements hold no weight when it comes to enforcing viewings. Common misconception.

Sorry to BE CLEAR - this is a rental property owned by someone else.

Ok yes one or 2 days would be ok but anything beyond that will be too much. I am working late quite a lot just now which can be unpredictable as well.

Don't want to have to keep disinfecting etc either.

What I am saying is it would usually suck it up to some extent.

But we are in a circuit breaker and it is bloody cold now too. There will be nowhere for me to go really.

OP, you can decline all viewings because you won’t be needing a reference from the landlord given that you are buying somewhere rather than renting. Doesn’t matter what your tenancy agreement says either.

Your tenancy agreement can say what it wants. You can compromise to what you are comfortable with. Or not allow viewings at all until the property is empty.

Your call.

I had to allow many viewings at my last house as the landlord was selling it

You didn’t. Even if it was in your tenancy. The law is very clear on this.

I wouldn't (and didnt) hand in my notice until exchange took place as things go wrong. This meant an overlap and it was easy to accommodate viewings. There were only about 3 in total

@chickenyhead

Your tenancy agreement will specify what is expected of you once notice is given.

I had to allow many viewings at my last house as the landlord was selling it.

The tenancy agreement means nothing. The tenant is entitled to quiet enjoyment.

I had two viewings of my flat just after lockdown earlier this year. I asked them to wear masks and to kindly not touch anything; instead I opened any cupboard doors etc for them. It was fine, and nobody got Covid!

@Lizzie523

What I am saying is it would usually suck it up to some extent.

But we are in a circuit breaker and it is bloody cold now too. There will be nowhere for me to go really.

I'd personally give the month's notice when you have the keys. That gives you time to sort the new place. To decorate etc. Move slowly on your terms. And then if people are in and out it's unlikely to be immediately and likelihood is you will be in the new home already. A pain paying another month's rent but better than the alternative.

LL here and I wouldn’t dream of expecting my tenants to consent to viewings in the current climate. They have a right to safe enjoyment of their home and it would be completely unreasonable to expose them to potential infection. I’d have no legal right to insist on this either!

What do you mean @Dazedandconfused10?

My move in date of my new home is November 28th. I pay rent on first of every month. I am fairly sure my agreement says 1 month notice.

Are people saying I dont even need to give the whole month of notice?

@SoloMummy a fair consideration. But it does mean I will need to pay one month of rent for nothing.

You have to give one FULL month's notice. Not just one month. So, if your tenancy starts on the 1st July and on November 18th, you give notice, you can leave on January 1st, not December 18th.

No, you still give a months notice. Ignoring the tenancy agreement only applies to the viewings because they aren’t legally enforceable due to tenants rights. You can ignore everything about viewings. However, giving notice is enforceable and the landlord can take you to court for costs etc if you don’t give proper notice.