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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not allow estate agent access

226 replies

LoverNotAFighter · 15/08/2023 20:24

Hello, I posted yesterday for advice following an eviction and court summons.
I cant afford the rent of £950 anymore I'm a single parent on UC, I've built up rent arrears over 4 months because the amount ive been paying is the UC housing element which is £510, I tried to speak with the landlord that my children's dad doesnt contribute financially anymore and I couldn't afford the amount, anyway I've got to attend court 21st September.

This afternoon I've received an email from your move saying my landlord has asked them to come over to the house and value it for sales and rental values. What date and time is convenient for him to come over.

I dont feel comfortable with this as I'm a single parent and dont want my landlord turning up aswell.
Would I be unreasonable to say I dont feel comfortable with this and ask them to wait until I've vacated the property?
I'm trying my best to find alternative living arrangements but it's really not that easy.

OP posts:
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6
Nopenopenopenopenopenope · 15/08/2023 20:30

Nobody is allowed into your home without your permission. I would refuse.

OCDmama · 15/08/2023 20:30

I think you don't have to let them in and it is reasonable to ask them to wait.

I'm pretty sure you don't have to let them. Especially in light of your situation (children and poor mental health, bless you).

watyawant · 15/08/2023 20:32

Is there no time when you'll be out of the house for the day and could let them in?
I feel for you but if you don't give them access I fear it may be yet another thing you feel bad about that's going to weigh on your mind/conscience and it could spiral.

Cowlover89 · 15/08/2023 20:33

Refuse them x

JudgeJ · 15/08/2023 20:34

Nopenopenopenopenopenope · 15/08/2023 20:30

Nobody is allowed into your home without your permission. I would refuse.

So the landlord is to continue to tolerate a non-paying tenant? How many more months will the OP live there for free? Her situation with her children's dad isn't the landlord's concern.

Starlightstarbright2 · 15/08/2023 20:35

Aren’t you the poster been evicted ? I f so I definitely would refuse.

Abbimae · 15/08/2023 20:36

I think they are allowed with notice, otherwise how would anyone rent out?

Regholdsworthswaterbed · 15/08/2023 20:37

You are being evicted for not paying rent. Your LL is already out of pocket and now you want to make it even more difficult for them? YABU.

Original poster
LoverNotAFighter · 15/08/2023 20:37

Yes I am being evicted, it's so embarrassing honestly never wanted to be homeless.

@JudgeJ i get £800 per month, i have to pay £440 of that just to rent please if you have no actual advice dont comment. I'm not living here rent free he is still receiving over half per month. Its not my fault how the system works, the council won't house me until he takes me to court and I'm actually homeless on the streets

OP posts:
Jyas · 15/08/2023 20:38

You need to check your contract. It will say when/if/under which circumstances the LL can enter the property and do viewings/valuations.

Original poster
LoverNotAFighter · 15/08/2023 20:39

@watyawant good suggestion of them coming whilst I'm not actually here. Then I dont have to engage in any kind of communication with them

OP posts:
Original poster
LoverNotAFighter · 15/08/2023 20:40

@Jyas I'll check now, thanks for that

OP posts:
watyawant · 15/08/2023 20:40

Yes do that. I'm leaving my rented flat next month and they bring people in to view every week. I do a quick tidy up then go to the gym for a couple of hours (drag DS and DH with me) and come back and it's like they've not even been.

Flopsythebunny · 15/08/2023 20:41

Jyas · 15/08/2023 20:38

You need to check your contract. It will say when/if/under which circumstances the LL can enter the property and do viewings/valuations.

A tenancy agreement does not trump statutory rights.
The landlord has no right to enter the property unless it's an emergency

lunar1 · 15/08/2023 20:42

You are entitled to refuse viewings etc while you still live there. The landlord can wait until you have moved. I'm a landlord myself, and try to be as unobtrusive as possible

LeaW · 15/08/2023 20:42

I own a property and bent over backwards to support someone during lockdown etc only for no rent now since November. After a very lengthy process I now have ownership yet he’s still there refusing to move out. You don’t know the impact further up stream, we bought in 2017 and still in negative equity. Wasn’t breaking even on it, was looking to sell this year to get rid whilst rates were low for people to invest and us to not have any profit from it.

Now I’m stuck with a 8% mortgage due to people thinking it’s ok they are a landlord they must have money.

Jyas · 15/08/2023 20:44

@Flopsythebunny my contract says that LL has the right to do viewings in the last 8 weeks of the tenancy, for example. Contract via a major estate management company in London so I’m quite sure that it is within the law.

Zanatdy · 15/08/2023 20:47

Given the landlord is down half the rent and may now be in arrears with his / her own mortgage I think you need to arrange it for when you’re out. Delaying this further is unfair and yes you can’t help the fact you’ve got to wait to be evicted to get council help but you can co-operate with this.

velvetstars · 15/08/2023 20:51

Delaying it is unfair to your LL. They are already not having half the rent they are rightfully owed. The least you could do is not make it difficult for them when they are able to rent out the place to new tenants and try to reclaim some of the lost costs.

Arrange it for when you're out, you won't be inconvenienced and it's one less thing weighing you down about the situation.

Livelovebehappy · 15/08/2023 20:51

Just go out for a couple of hours. Align their visit with doing your shopping etc. otherwise, you’re being difficult for no other reason than pettiness.

Starlightandsandytoes · 15/08/2023 20:51

I think you could easily find a way to accommodate this being done while you’re out. It’s not your landlord’s fault that you’re struggling with the rent nor their fault that this means that they need to start eviction proceedings. Given that they have a mortgage to pay I’d accommodate this to help them out. I don’t see why you’d refuse, it’s an unfortunate situation but it’s in no way their fault.

Original poster
LoverNotAFighter · 15/08/2023 20:52

I'm happy to co operate with this providing I dont actually need to be present whilst it's taking place, I'm not trying to make mine or his life anymore difficult than needed

OP posts:
FloweryName · 15/08/2023 20:53

You can say no, but it’s pretty selfish of you considering you’re set to cost your landlord thousands.

MrsTerryPratchett · 15/08/2023 20:54

There's the law and then there are ethics.

Yes you can refuse. Legally. And if it would cause you distress or MH issues, do.

But there are ethics. You promised to pay your LL, UC didn't, and you haven't. And they are now out of pocket. That could be an issue if they aren't very wealthy. Are they generally a decent person? Did they do repairs on time and communicate? If so, my ethics would have me try to minimise their loss. I'd feel better if I did.

Original poster
LoverNotAFighter · 15/08/2023 20:55

Some people just love to kick a person when they are down. I'm not here slagging off my landlord for evicting me! I was asking for advice I suffer with chronic depression and anxiety I didnt know this could be done whilst I'm not in the property. Now this information has come to light I will be more than happy for it to go ahead!
No more advice necessary now thanks.

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