To say no to any more viewings?

[toastedcat]

I live in a rented house with my partner and new baby (four months old). We've bought a house and are renovating it; will be moving into it in two weeks time.

We gave the letting agency plenty of notice and arranged with them a day for them to do viewings. We left the house tidy and clean for them to take people round, and they had about seven people booked in.

They've increased the rent by £100 which I think is worth noting -- it's a tiny two bedroom house which definitely isn't ideal for a family. It's clear to see when you come in as we've got too much stuff crammed in.

Nobody signed up after that round, so we gave them access twice more. It's a huge inconvenience each time as I'm on mat leave and my husband wfh, and also it's hard enough keeping the place clean without having the pressure of viewings.

Nobody showed up to view the last two times they were booked in, so it was a wasted effort on cleaning and tidying all my son's baby stuff away.

AIBU to tell them we've had enough and they will have to arrange viewings after we've left?

I definitely wouldn’t bother. Just say you’re starting to pack now for the mice so it will be even more cluttered than usual.

Ha don't tell people there are mice

I agree though. No more viewings. They can wait two weeks.

Just tell them no more. If they are really pushy then don't clean and tidy beforehand. It's not up to you to market the place for them.

You don't have to agree to viewings and with only two weeks left I wouldn't bother. You have made more than a good effort. Honestly it's fine.

You're entitled to refuse viewings, and it's not long for them to wait now. You can point out that the first viewings were not fruitful, and part of the problem may be that it looks cramped for the price, so they might actually be better waiting until you and your stuff are out, even without the extra chaos due to packing.
It seems pretty rude that they asked you to allow viewings when they didn't actually have anyone definitely lined up to come (I guess maybe someone pulled out).

Absolutely you don't have to agree to viewings. You've been accomodating enough. Tell them you won't be agreeing to any more viewings til you have gone.

Like others have said don't agree to anymore. It's too stressful two weeks before moving. If they get pushy tell them your household has come down with Covid. They won't be able to book viewings then. You could even stagger it so that your family contracts it a few days apart. That should take up at least two weeks 🤣

You don’t need to tidy for them. That would be a compromise?

What does your tenancy agreement say OP? Many will include a clause about access for viewings.

It doesn't matter one bit what the tenancy agreement says, the law says you have the right to quiet enjoyment which means you do not have to allow any viewings at all.

You've been more than reasonable, they can now wait until you've moved out.

You've been more than reasonable, you can ask them to wait now.

Thanks all. I'm reassured that I'm not being difficult. I said no to more and they pushed back one more time asking if they can do some on Saturday. The place will be an absolute tip full of boxes and us packing -- I'm half tempted to say yes and leave it a state but that would just be petty. I don't know why, but I get really stressed thinking about people traipsing through my house gawping at everything. It feels almost like a violation!

I think you can’t refuse. We were in a similar situation and I’ve posted here and was told that probably not, checked our agreement and yes, it was true. You should be notified in advance but that’s all. And of course you are not obliged to clean and tidy up ( of course I did, huge headache)
Go back to EAs and tell them that the place is a mess as you are packing and it would be more practical to do a viewing after you left. I did this when they wanted to redo photos for selling and they agreed. However they might disagree because for many viewers your boxes won’t matter, especially if it’s for renting not for buying.

Not true at all, you absolutely can refuse and any term in your contract that says otherwise is unenforceable.

It would be the kind thing to do to allow viewings OP but don’t worry about tidying.

You 100% CAN refuse! A clause in your tenancy agreement does not trump the law. You don't have to allow anyone, including the landlord or estate agents, into you home, unless it's for emergencies or pre arranged routine maintenance, like annual gas safety checks.

OP you do not need to 'be kind' 🙄!! Just say no, you are well within your rights to do so. Congrats on your house purchase.

All of this ^

Tell them there's packing boxes everywhere and the place is chaotic but if they don't mind that then go ahead, the landlord will not go ahead

I really don't understand some landlords. My tenants were in a similar position and I just waited with viewings until they moved out. One, it's unfair to you to have people viewing the property when you're trying to pack, and two, what landlord wants potential tenants to see the property at it's worst (messy/full of boxes)?

Anyway, if I were you I'd either say no more viewings or allow it once more but don't worry about tidying and cleaning. It's nice of you to have cleaned & tidied the first time, but you really shouldn't have to keep the place spotless for weeks at a time.

I don't think not tidying is petty. It's just that tidiness isn't really your problem the way it would be if you were an owner occupier selling.

It’s interesting, I remember actually a few threads about this and the overall conclusion was that you have to allow access if notified in advance.
I’m happy to be wrong.

I think you are being unreasonable. The landlord needs to pay his mortgage, just the same as you will when you move into your new house. Any of us, buying, selling, renting need to have viewings. How many people went to view the house you are buying? Moving is stressful for anyone, but there is no need to awkard about things.

You really don’t have to tidy. Not even the tiniest bit. You could scatter clutter everywhere and lay on the sofa in your underwear shouting at the television while the kids run around hyped up on sugar. Don’t actually go that far, but you could.

Ex LL here. You don't need to let anyone in, other than eg LLin an emergency.
The LAW is on your side - wording in your tenancy agreement is irrelevant.