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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Partner very ill, agency won't rearrange flat viewings

86 replies

Cheesestring11 · 08/02/2022 07:22

We live in a rented flat, my partner is very unwell at the moment and bedbound, awaiting PCR result.

There were supposed to be a couple of viewings on our flat this afternoon as we're moving out, but I asked him if he me to try and postpone them and he said yes.

I told the agency but they didn't really seem to understand and said that they can't rearrange the viewings as it's inconvenient.

I do understand that and don't want to mess people around, but he's got a right to rest uninterrupted in the flat if he's unwell no?

OP posts:
Original poster
Cheesestring11 · 08/02/2022 07:23

Family aren't that nearby so not like he could go there either

OP posts:
araiwa · 08/02/2022 07:24

Don't ask

Tell them you are cancelling

Aspiringmatriarch · 08/02/2022 07:24

You can refuse the viewings I think. They're being pretty unreasonable about it, they can't come and look round while your partner is ill in bed and possibly has covid! Just tell them it's a firm no.

Toomanypeople · 08/02/2022 07:24

I'd be telling them it's covid even if pcr comes back ok and that you cannot legally allow anyone in

Original poster
Cheesestring11 · 08/02/2022 07:24

Yes maybe i should..
It's happened to me, I've had viewings rearranged and it's a little inconvenient but it's not the end of the world

OP posts:
Boscoforever · 08/02/2022 07:26

Ring the agency back and tell them your DH is awaiting a covid swab result and therefore isolating. That he is bedbound and will not be leaving his bed today.
If they still send people around I would tell them when they arrive.
Cheeky idiots.
Hope your DH feels better soon.

londonrach · 08/02/2022 07:26

You know you don't have to ever allow viewings totally even if it's in your contact. Tell the agent no viewing s. Say he got covid if you nervous but honestly no excuse needed.

Original poster
Cheesestring11 · 08/02/2022 07:27

Yeah it's not fair really, it's not like I've been asking them to rearrange for weeks on end, it's only once

OP posts:
user1471504747 · 08/02/2022 07:27

Tell them it’s Covid so you have no choice but to cancel. If they still come with viewers rush to the door and tell them you cancelled the viewing as your husband is bed bound inside the flat with Covid, and ask the agent why they came after being made aware of this on x date.

I imagine that would be enough to put potential viewers and buyers/tenants off I imagine and stop the agency trying again!

MandyCarter · 08/02/2022 07:27

I always thought you could legally refuse entry? Inconvenient to them does not mean they have to inconvenience you
Your partner is ill FGS

Redlorryyellowduck · 08/02/2022 07:28

When does your tenancy end? Until that point you can and should refuse all viewings.

mdh2020 · 08/02/2022 07:29

Tell them he has Covid then there’s no question.

WheelieBinPrincess · 08/02/2022 07:29

You absolutely do not have to allow a single viewing at all. Agents can be very pushy. They demanded to come round to do their viewings on our old flat when I was at home exhausted with a tiny non-sleeping baby.
I told them explicitly when they could come and when they could not and said failure to respect that would result in no viewings for them at all. I deadlocked the food too.

WheelieBinPrincess · 08/02/2022 07:29

The DOOR

yellowtwo · 08/02/2022 07:30

Well the won't be able to view all the flat if your partner is in bed sick. The agency are being unreasonable. Tell them he's awaiting PCR results.

HPLikecraft · 08/02/2022 07:30

Tell them explicitly that no one is coming in to your home. If anyone does arrive bolt the door and ignore them. You don't have to allow anyone into your home.
I hate agencies that treat tenants like this.

Rainbowqueeen · 08/02/2022 07:32

Put a sign on the door saying that your partner has covid and that the agent has been advised and asked to reschedule all viewings.
Surely the agent realises it’s much more inconvenient to catch covid

NoVaxDjokovic · 08/02/2022 07:33

You have right to quiet enjoyment of the property, and this right overrules any clauses in your rental contract about the rights for viewings etc.

Just contact them and refuse access. They may try and negotiate with you offering you money off or cleaning fees refunded etc, however they do not have the right to enter the property for viewings at all whilst you are still tenants.

Marmm · 08/02/2022 07:34

Did you tell them he is waiting for PCR results?

WheelieBinPrincess · 08/02/2022 07:35

They are relying on you thinking that you have to allow viewings, ours did, but luckily for us I knew about the quiet enjoyment clause. They were absolute arseholes though.

user094746788 · 08/02/2022 07:35

@Boscoforever

Ring the agency back and tell them your DH is awaiting a covid swab result and therefore isolating. That he is bedbound and will not be leaving his bed today. If they still send people around I would tell them when they arrive. Cheeky idiots. Hope your DH feels better soon.
This.

You can decline access.

Clearly you're moving out anyway, so the only real recourse they have - evicting you - isn't really relevant.

If you want to, you can change the locks. There are numerous YouTube videos on how to change the barrel of the locks yourself, and they're quite cheap. Just make sure you change the barrel back at the end of the tenancy.

WheelieBinPrincess · 08/02/2022 07:37

@user1471504747 why would they think I they can evict on that basis?
A) agents have no power to do this in any case
B) you can’t be evicted for not allowing viewings

Clymene · 08/02/2022 07:38

Tell them he's self-isolating and you are not legally allowed to let anyone in. Quote them the government guidance:

All non-essential in-house services and repairs should be postponed until the self-isolation period is completed. Delivery drivers should not come into your home, so make sure you ask them to leave items outside for collection.

To be honest, I wouldn't let them do viewings when he's better either. Pushy arseholes.

Narutocrazyfox · 08/02/2022 07:41

Call them OP, and don't ask them to cancel the viewings - Tell them all viewings are cancelled until your partner is well enough. I agree with a PP, put a sign on your door saying due to a covid infection in the household all viewing is cancelled until further notice. Keep the doors locked (with the keys in the locks) and if anyone knocks turn them away. Bloody agencies. Also I hope your partner feels better soon x

nancy75 · 08/02/2022 07:45

How ridiculous, I doubt if the people viewing the flat want to go in with a possible covid case either.