Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
RedRobin100 · 08/02/2022 07:51

They need your (reasonable) permission whilst you’re still in the flat

He’s clearly sick and isolating so you’re perfectly reasonable (and entitled) to refuse entry until better.

Inspectorslack · 08/02/2022 07:52

I would do as suggested and put a sign on the door. I hope he feels better soon.

NoSquirrels · 08/02/2022 07:53

Look, you don’t have to allow viewing AT ALL if you don’t want to.

By allowing viewings before you move out you’re doing the LL & letting agency a favour.

Call back and tell them they MUST rearrange because you refuse permission for viewings this week.

(Advising as a LL)

Tumbleweed101 · 08/02/2022 07:54

They are being unreasonable insisting on coming.

When I was privately renting landlords decided to sell the property and our notice to leave fell on my due date. I ended up having baby a couple of weeks early and the agency insisted on showing potential buyers the property two days after I gave birth. The house was in chaos, I had a just turned two toddler and in bed with a newborn when they arrived. The viewers looked very uncomfortable looking in the bedroom with me there in nightclothes nursing. Was most definitely not going to tidy after being made to leave at such a difficult time.

I was young and less knowledgeable than I am now. It would have been a different situation now as I'm more aware of tenants rights.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 08/02/2022 07:58

Who wants to view a flat in which someone is really ill with Covid symptoms?

I would be furious with the agency if I turned up to view and found this!

badservice · 08/02/2022 08:01

Ring back and tell them the viewings aren't happening - you're within your rights to tell them they have to wait until you've vacated the property before conducting any viewings.

Hope your partner is okay, I was in bed with covid in January and to be honest if I had to sell my house now I still don't have the energy to get it to the point I could accept viewings.

Silveroriole · 08/02/2022 08:03

As well as ringing them, inform them in writing, either by email or letter, and have a copy handy.
You can show prospective buyers and they will be furious with the agents. Who wants to go into a house where someone may have an infectious disease? Crazy!

KatherineJaneway · 08/02/2022 08:05

You can refuse viewings. Just call and say he is ill with suspected covid and anyone turning up at your door will be refused entry. You are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your home and do not have to let anyone view your rented property.

bigdecisionstomake · 08/02/2022 08:06

You can legally refuse viewings and if your DP is awaiting a PCR test result it would be very bad practice for the agents to carry out a viewing anyway. I would contact them this morning and say you are not happy for the viewing to go ahead and you want them to rearrange. I would call and email to confirm the phone call so you have a paper trail.

user094746788 · 08/02/2022 08:08

[quote WheelieBinPrincess]@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[/quote]
The landlord could choose to evict.

Using a section 21 they do not need to have any reason at all to evict.

Subject to the date the fixed term ends, deposit protection, correct issuing of a s21 etc etc.

Chocoqueen · 08/02/2022 08:09

@HomeHomeInTheRange

Who wants to view a flat in which someone is really ill with Covid symptoms?

I would be furious with the agency if I turned up to view and found this!

This!

Though it would be the same for any illness really. I'm surprised the agent thinks anyone would go for a flat if they viewed it with the current occupant in bed.... especially as a lot of people are put off by simple clutter!

rainrainraincamedowndowndown · 08/02/2022 08:10

I'm sure if the family member is ill with Covid, they'll understand and rearrange?
Do they want to come into the house someone is very ill with covid?

AllOfUsAreDead · 08/02/2022 08:10

Just lie for god sake. You've got a great excuse lined up, he has covid. They are clearly too thick to understand otherwise, simplify it for them.

Dammitthisisshit · 08/02/2022 08:11

Cancel the viewings. Tell don’t ask. Tell them you’re pretty sure it’s Covid.

I rent out a flat by the way. Unless in exceptional circumstances when the tenant is asked (and have the right to say no), viewings are done once they move out.

ivykaty44 · 08/02/2022 08:12

Put a note on the door, awaiting PCR test results
Enter at your own risk
Have tried to rearrange all viewings without success

Marmm · 08/02/2022 08:13

@ivykaty44

Put a note on the door, awaiting PCR test results Enter at your own risk Have tried to rearrange all viewings without success
Sounds good to me
CuntyMcBollocks · 08/02/2022 08:21

It's still your home until you move out so the agents are being very fucking cheeky! They can't force you to have viewings if you don't want to, and they can rearrange for a later date, so tell them a resounding 'No'. Hope your dh is better soon.

Lalliella · 08/02/2022 08:24

If I was viewing a flat and turned up to find an ill man in bed with suspected covid I you tell the agency who allowed this to happen to go to hell. They haven’t really thought this through have they?

But just tell them he’s got covid and the problem will go away anyway.

godmum56 · 08/02/2022 08:25

If I were the viewer and I was sent to a flat where someone had covid, I'd be mad as hell with the EA and would tell them so AND kick off on social media.

ittakes2 · 08/02/2022 08:27

Point out the rules from the NHS regarding not having visitors while waiting for pcr results

ddl1 · 08/02/2022 08:29

They are being very unreasonable. Not only is this extremely unfair to you and your partner, but they are breaking all guidelines by potentially exposing the viewers to Covid.

jay55 · 08/02/2022 08:29

Even if it's not covid, I doubt the viewers will want to be exposed to the flu or norovirus or the measles or even just a bad cold.

Londonnight · 08/02/2022 08:32

You can refuse all viewings no matter what the agency say. It is your home and you decide who can come in. The law is on your side for this.
Check out Shelter for your rights when it comes to renting. The agency are just trying it on

Littlegoth · 08/02/2022 08:36

You have a legal right to quiet enjoyment. They legally need your permission to enter, unless the house is burning down or there’s some other emergency, and they don’t have it. Viewings must take place at reasonable times, and it can definitely be argued that the time is no longer reasonable due to suspected covid case in the house. Even if your contract states viewings must be available it’s not legally enforceable as it conflicts with the right to quiet enjoyment.

Yes very sad but no viewing can take place.

Hope he feels better soon.

CushionSpiral · 08/02/2022 08:44

Stick a sign on the door saying “isolating we have covid” in big letters. The people viewing won’t want to go in!