Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think stuff it, sorry Landlord I am trying my best?

62 replies

ChristmasStocckings · 09/11/2020 01:26

So our landlord has decided to sell the apartment we are renting. The agent and landlord want the place spotless as they are sending over a photographer to take photos today and also want it display home ready for the two open for inspections they are having each week. I totally understand why they would want this.

But I have a 3 month old at home. I also have a skin condition which makes it hard to clean - my hands are already sore and bleeding from day to day house work. The place is tidy and clean but is not display home clean. I have tried but I just can't get it done. The windows need washing, washing basket is overflowing, the bathrooms could do with a deep clean.

I'm not happy they are selling. We are not in the UK but Covid is still a worry. The idea of non family members walking around our apartment and touching things is fairly stressful as it is.

So AIBU to think tidy and reasonably clean is enough?

OP posts:
Danniiaddy · 09/11/2020 01:33

Say you have covid symptoms and that people should come to the house!
Then arrange for someone to help come and clean your house...

OzziePopPop · 09/11/2020 01:47

Show home ready.... hahahahahahahahaha no.

GlowingOrb · 09/11/2020 01:48

You aren’t even obligated to keep it especially tidy. Just live your life normally and ignore their requests.

onlyk · 09/11/2020 01:55

You’re not selling your landlord is.

If you’re house is reasonable clean and tidy then that should do. If the landlord/estate agent want it done to a higher level tell them you’re happy for them to pay for a cleaner to come round before each viewing.

They won’t do this as it’ll cost them money but trying to put pressure on you to do more is free.

In the uk you’re within your rights to refuse any viewings during your lease (ie peaceful enjoyment). I would check what you’re able to do in your country.

LillyLeaf · 09/11/2020 01:56

I have a 3 month old and are trying to sell our flat. It was so hard getting it show home ready for the photos and open day, it actually felt impossible. We still have more viewings then maybe 2nd viewings and I can't wait for it to be over, it's been so hard. But I wouldn't be doing this for someone else's house. Just do what you can but don't stress about it. A cleaner could maybe come and deep clean the kitchen and bathroom?

Danniiaddy · 09/11/2020 02:01

@Danniiaddy

Say you have covid symptoms and that people should come to the house! Then arrange for someone to help come and clean your house...
Meant to type people shouldn’t come to the house
thanksgivingchi · 09/11/2020 02:03

In the UK you don't need to do this, what are the laws where you are?
Don't stress OP, they aren't being reasonable and I say this as a landlord and tenant.

chatwoo · 09/11/2020 02:05

This shits me. If the landlord is that bothered, they should wait until you move out, to market the apartment, have viewings etc.

But of course with you still living there, rent is being paid and they are having the viewings at the same time. Talk about cake and eating it.

chickenyhead · 09/11/2020 02:05

It depends what your lease terms are. My UK tenancy agreement states that I have to allow reasonable access in the last month of my tenancy and maintain it to a reasonable standard.

FunkyFunkyBeat · 09/11/2020 02:07

We recently went through this process and it's so stressful.

Depending on what your lease says - usually it obliges you to give 'reasonable' opportunities for potential sellers to inspect - I would be pushing back on the twice weekly viewings. Once a week or once a fortnight is sufficient.

Agree with above comments re cleaning. Just keep it tidy. Again, look to your lease for what your actual obligation is. Is the owner wants it cleaned to a higher standard, they can arrange that at a time when it is convenient to you.

Also ask if the agent could do a video of the place and show potential viewers the video. Stress that only real buyers (not stickybeaks) are shown the house - maybe put a limit on eg two families / week - to ensure the agent only brings legit buyers to your home. This reduces the chance if COVID too.

Honestly, no one will be looking out for your best interests here so you need to advocate for yourself and be firm. Set out the rules early on and don't be flexible or the agent will take the piss. You have a right to quiet enjoyment of your home.

ladycarlotta · 09/11/2020 02:11

In the UK you would NOT have to accommodate this - you have a right to peaceful enjoyment of your home. And it IS your home while you are renting it. I don't know what the law is where you are but I doubt that there is any legal requirement that you do all this. Even without a 3-month-old it's a lot of work and 100% not your responsibility. Would LL at least be willing to drop the rent given this inconvenience, and presumably the uncertainty of exactly when you will need to get out?

It's a crap situation to be in and I'm sorry.

FenellaVelour · 09/11/2020 02:51

@chickenyhead

It depends what your lease terms are. My UK tenancy agreement states that I have to allow reasonable access in the last month of my tenancy and maintain it to a reasonable standard.
And this is not an enforceable contract term.

So check your lease OP, but also check the law in your country about what you are obliged to allow.

FortunesFave · 09/11/2020 02:58

You don't have to make the place "spotless" if you're in the UK you have a legal right to "Quiet enjoyment" of the property. That means you live in it as you want to as long as you're maintaining it to proper standards...that doesn't include making it photographer ready.

You also do not have to allow viewings.

FortunesFave · 09/11/2020 03:01

Even if it's on the lease terms it's not legally enforcable. Obviously a reasonable tenant would allow some access...but tenants can only be ignored regarding the landlord's right to enter in the case of an emergency such as a gas or water leak or a fire.

The landlord cannot enter without express permission...even WITH 24 hours notice...unless there's a proper emergency.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/11/2020 03:19

That sounds tough. Check the law in your country, rather than what you are being told or what is written on your contract. As others have said in the U.K., you can simply refuse access.

yawnsvillex · 09/11/2020 03:35

Do you want a reference OP?

Original poster
ChristmasStocckings · 09/11/2020 03:50

In my country and state (Australia) they are allowed to do two showings per week but we don't have to allow open homes and can ask that it's only interested buyers by appointment. They are meant to give 14 days notice and we don't have to allow photos of the property with our belongings in it to be published. But I don't want to be painful. Tidy and clean is the best I can do. I can't magic away our washing baskets etc in an apartment.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChristmasStocckings · 09/11/2020 03:52

@yawnsvillex

Do you want a reference OP?
From our current agents? No, we don't need them. We have a great rental history, never lost any of our bond, and both have well paying professional jobs. We won't struggle to find another rental (other than having a pet making it more challenging.)
OP posts:
NeonGenesis · 09/11/2020 04:09

It was nice of you to do any cleaning at all for them. I wouldn't have bothered.

echt · 09/11/2020 04:15

YABU for not saying this is in Australia. And the state. You'll get a shitload of comments that don't apply to your situation.

You say they need 14 days' notice, so hold them to it.

echt · 09/11/2020 04:19

There must be Covid-related mitigations on rentals in your state.

ispepsiokay · 09/11/2020 04:22

I guessed Australia from the stress you were under! Inspections and open houses are the worst some of the agents think they're inspecting military bunks...

When we moved the agent who came to take photos helped me move things out the way so that the pictures were clear of personal items (we had a young baby too) and we had the windows done as part of the end of lease clean.

Mummyoflittledragon · 09/11/2020 04:26

I’d stick to the law then. Your discretion if you are ok to leave less than 14 days. I say the latter because it’s a balancing act between being too accommodating and not enough so.... that’s if you want to stay for a few more months. If you’re just accommodating enough, maybe you’ll manage stay there for longer. If you stick to the law, you risk the ll serving notice on you to sell. If you let the ll do whatever they want, the apartment will possibly sell faster.

WattleOn · 09/11/2020 04:32

The rules in Australia vary from state to state and you seem to know those that apply to your situation. But you don’t have to have it show home ready, even for inspections. You also don’t have to leave.

DH and I had issues when our landlord sold up a few years ago. We were very cooperative and allowed photos etc. The agent even said it was perfectly (sparsely furnished) for photos. But then they continued to do open homes even though we had agreed to one followed by appointment only. I did have some fun relocating the many open house signs they placed in the area. Bet that confused the hell out of people! They were bastards and I would have taken them to the tribunal if I hadn’t been so unwell at the time. Screwed us on the deposit as well.

Would love to know who the agent is - LJH, by any chance?

flaviaritt · 09/11/2020 06:26

Just do what you are legally obligated to do. “Show home ready” indeed. Hmm

Swipe left for the next trending thread