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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

House viewer taking photographs of our rented property

55 replies

cameocat · 08/08/2021 15:23

We were served 6 month notice by our landlord and house is currently on the market. We can't afford to buy (house very overpriced anyway) so we will be moving. Although it is not yet 2 months prior to our end of contract date we have been flexible and allowed house viewings. Our house sitter informed me that someone who viewed the house was taking photographs. The estate agent has not asked if we are OK with this and I am unhappy that this has taken place, I feel it is an intrusion of our privacy.

AIBU to complain to estate agent and tell them I do not give consent for this to happen or is this something I should just expect and should just live with it for the next 3 months.

YANBU - write them an email removing my consent for photographs to take place
YABU - suck it up, it's what house viewers do

OP posts:
3scape · 08/08/2021 15:29

Just withdraw from future viewings.

tinkywinkyshandbag · 08/08/2021 15:32

Not acceptable without permission and without you being there. I think it would be unreasonable of you not to allow any viewings at all but it would not be unreasonable to ask that only the agent takes photos and one set should be plenty (giving you time to remove anything personal)

loopylindi · 08/08/2021 15:33

I would have thought it was an invasion of privacy. Think: what would have happened had you been there? Would 'viewer' have asked you? what would you have said then? Surely that's the response you would always have. Tell the estate agent, though it it was an unaccompanied viewing I'm not sure how you could deal with that.

SW1amp · 08/08/2021 15:36

It’s pretty normal for people to take photos when viewing houses

As long as they aren’t photographing the contents of your knicker drawer, I can’t really see what the objection is

Presumably there are already photos of the house, and therefore your stuff, on the website, Rightmove etc?

MattyGroves · 08/08/2021 15:37

I think it's pretty normal for viewers to do this but I also think it's fair enough for you not to like it. So I guess I am on the fence. I think it's ok for you to say no to the agent going forward but I don't think it was unreasonable of the agent to allow it when you hadn't said anything about it.

Original poster
cameocat · 08/08/2021 15:41

I am not going to restrict viewings that is too far. However, I still think the estate agent should have asked if viewers were allowed to take photos of the property and as a result I couldn't be sure what guidance they were giving them. Yes, there are photos on rightmove etc but I know these are there and what they include. I have no idea what viewers are taking photos of as I am not them showing them around.

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 08/08/2021 15:42

I refused this and the estate agent just used old pictures from when it was empty. If they said no then there would have been no viewing.

Original poster
cameocat · 08/08/2021 15:43

Sorry, to be clear I allowed them to take the estate agent's professional shots for the brochure so photos do exist.

OP posts:
SW1amp · 08/08/2021 15:48

What’s your concern?
Have you got valuables on display that they’ll come back and steal, or you just don’t like someone have a photo of your bed?

Original poster
cameocat · 08/08/2021 15:53

Hadn't thought about people stealing valuables, we have some high end electronics etc but that's just stuff. I already absolutely loathe strangers coming into my house and looking around. I realise that is my problem so have just got on with it and why I have questioned it on here as I am mindful that my utter hatred of people in my house may cloud my judgement. Smile

OP posts:
MattyGroves · 08/08/2021 15:58

Having bought a house recently, the agents were always quite on it before allowing us to view places in terms of making sure we were serious buyers. We did take photos (having checked with the agents) but to be honest mostly of little boring details like storage or the roof, things that don't show up in professional photos much

RitaFires · 08/08/2021 16:00

I'm a private person too so I understand not being enthused at the idea of people taking pictures of your stuff but I don't think it's reasonable to insist that viewers don't take photos. The EA is going to think you're being awkward and the viewers are going to wonder why they can look but not take a picture.

malmi · 08/08/2021 16:02

YWBU to complain

Your options are:

  • stop allowing viewings as you're not comfortable with strangers being in your home

Or

  • continue allowing viewings but request that the estate agent asks viewers to refrain from taking photos
mumwon · 08/08/2021 16:02

apparently when photos are taken/used for Council checks someone has to block any identifying features - such as children's photos or front door/number (have recently had a conversation with someone that had to do this on a council's behalf)
from now on if you still agree to people viewing -you could state -that either you have copies of all photos or no cameras

Ofnorman · 08/08/2021 16:05

I don't think the vendor/ EA would be keen to tell prospective viewers that they can't take photos. It's just one of the things people do nowadays, to tell them they can't would cast a negative slant.

I guess you could say that you no longer want to allow viewings because of the photo thing- that way, the onus is on them to decide if they want to instruct viewers that they can't take any, or decide to wait until you leave

Original poster
cameocat · 08/08/2021 16:06

@malmi bit I haven't complained yet! Your second option is exactly what I was suggesting. When I say 'complain' I mean the outcome being letting the agent know I don't want anyone taking photos of our interior. They have a floor plan and professional photos. (I wouldn't care about photos of the roof!)

OP posts:
lannistunut · 08/08/2021 16:08

Yanbu, and you have the legal right to decline.

I specified no photos at viewings, it is an option.

Original poster
cameocat · 08/08/2021 16:12

@Ofnorman I believe our contract states we have to allow viewings two mo that prior to our contract end. This would be from next month th anyway. I don't actually want to stop the viewings, it might be the perfect house for someone and I don't want to be difficult.

General consensus seems to be that I would be unreasonable to say no photos to the agent. I'm still unsure why you need them if you're viewing, I'd probably have less problem if it was a second viewing as this might indicate a more serious buyer. So far, 2.5 months on the market and no offers or second viewings.

OP posts:
Bakewellisntjustacake · 08/08/2021 16:24

@cameocat you don't have to allow any viewings at all. Just say no viewings as it's disruptive and you're exercising your right to quiet enjoyment of the property. It's not your job to facilitate viewings.

omgthepain · 08/08/2021 16:24

@cameocat

I was in the same situation but we agreed (once they'd served us notice) that if we wanted to go we'd only have to give 1 months notice - it took us 4 months to find a suitable alternative but I managed too

  • negotiate a 25% discount on our rent owing to facilitating viewings
  • I only allowed viewings every other Saturday between 10-12 and one evening in the week 5-7 on my then partners now ex partners day off
  • no photos or videos allowed

They were grateful I'd do the viewings so they went with it and limiting when you'll do them is less stressful than not doing it in set slots

I'd propose you do the same

Row1n · 08/08/2021 16:25

Why would you want a copy of the photos?

I am like you and hate having people in the house, but I would allow photos in this instance. Presumably your house is tidied so nothing private is on show for the viewings, and as PP said any photos Ive taken have been of things that werent clear in the EA photos, so a floor tile that had looked damaged, or a corner with storage or an awkward shape that wasnt shown very well etc

omgthepain · 08/08/2021 16:26

@cameocat

Have you got somewhere else lined up?

BlankTimes · 08/08/2021 16:44

It’s pretty normal for people to take photos when viewing houses

Whilst I'd be happy to have the estate agent's photos, description, floorplan etc. displayed on rightmove, I'd absolutely hate strangers walking around my home clicking away.

My possessions are none of anyone else's business.

SW1amp · 08/08/2021 17:13

They aren’t taking pictures of your possessions, no one gives a shit about your possessions unless you’ve cluttered them house up with loads of shit which hides the size of the rooms

They are taking pictures of the actual size/state of the bathroom compared to the filters estate agent ones,
They are taking pics of the kitchen to see if their table will fit against the wall
They are taking pics of the scuff on the wall to remind them of the actual condition of the decor before placing an offer

If an agent told me I wasn’t allowed to take photos of somewhere, I would think it’s highly suspect and they didn’t want me noting a problem

PanamaPattie · 08/08/2021 17:18

You have a right to "quiet enjoyment of your home". This, I believe means that you can refuse viewings and photographs. I would be very pissed off if a viewer took photos without my permission. You have a right to privacy.