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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New Tenants Coming Around

160 replies

Belladonna90 · 21/09/2023 15:26

Not sure if it’s the stress of moving that has made me feel extra sensitive and unreasonable… so please give me a steer!
DP and I are moving into our first home together in two weeks. I’ve given notice on my rental and estate agency did a day of viewings and new tenants have been found. Estate Agent got in touch to see whether new tenants can come around on Saturday to take measurements for their furniture. Feel slightly annoyed by this as I’m in the midst of packing and there are random piles/ boxes everywhere and last thing I want is strangers manouvering around my stuff. The new tenants also know that I’m still living in the property and it’s not empty. Am I being AIBU if I refuse? Thanks all 💕

OP posts:
SomeCatFromJapan · 25/09/2023 16:24

Just email them back and say they'll have all the access they need once you move out. Contrary to what people are saying here, you do not need to grant them access - it's hardly essential maintenance or a safety issue. And they can't withhold your deposit, as previously discussed, so they have literally no leverage at this point.

Travis1 · 25/09/2023 16:30

I’d send a shitty email back saying you’ve already said no, you will not be shifting on this and any works can be carried out once you leave citing your right to quiet enjoyment of the property as the current paying tennant

Rakszasa · 25/09/2023 16:31

By now I'd be complaining, that's rediculous.

Newestname002 · 25/09/2023 16:38

Write back and tell them to stop harassing you - that they are interfering with your legal "right to quiet enjoyment" of your home.

They cannot just change the locks whilst you are legally in situ. I suspect the issue with keys is that they're aiming to let the new tenants by what is still your home.

They need to give you reasonable notice for agreed maintenance issues (eg emergency tradesmen) and cannot just let people into your home for non/emergencies such as measuring up. 🌹

GingembreThe · 25/09/2023 17:11

It's normal for letting agents to hold a set of keys for emergency access. They should have security measures though, such as signing the keys in and out, and they should be security keys that can't be copied. I suspect that the manager has only just realised that they don't have a spare set, which is why they want to change the locks. Or, worse, they have lost them...

It's up to you whether you want to agree to the locksmith and the new tenants coming round. Remind the letting agent of your statutory right to quiet enjoyment, that you have been helpful in allowing viewings previously and explain why it is inconvenient (the nature of you job, you are busy with professional exams and moving house). I would also state that you will not allow access to the property when you are not there because it would invalidate your insurance policy. I imagine that will be their next suggestion if you allow the locks to be changed.

That said, isn't the easiest solution to offer to spend 10 minutes taking a few measurements for the tenants with the disclaimer that you cannot guarantee that they are accurate? It would probably take less time than replying to all their emails.

Original poster
Belladonna90 · 25/09/2023 21:53

Thank you for this!
Quoting a law is the last thing I want to be doing as I always felt it might come across a bit harsh. It seems though that it might be the only way for them to leave me alone. EA’s like this really give the whole industry a bad name. I really feel sorry for any vulnerable tenants out there.

OP posts:
Original poster
Belladonna90 · 26/09/2023 09:38

Thank you for this!

OP posts:
pikkumyy77 · 26/09/2023 12:01

Belladonna90 · 25/09/2023 21:53

Thank you for this!
Quoting a law is the last thing I want to be doing as I always felt it might come across a bit harsh. It seems though that it might be the only way for them to leave me alone. EA’s like this really give the whole industry a bad name. I really feel sorry for any vulnerable tenants out there.

Stop being so british! Quote the damn law. They would if the positions were reversed.

CardamomGarden · 26/09/2023 21:31

Once you’re into citing your legal rights, you know you’re dealing either with cowboys or idiots. At the last place I rented, a neighbour told me there were viewings while I was at work (I had been told nothing let alone asked, so this came as a surprise) and when I rang the agent they defiantly said they’d continue whether I agreed or not.

‘NO YOU WON’T BECAUSE IT IS AGAINST THE LAW’ was the only thing they finally understood - it was clear they had no prior understanding or familiarity with specific laws. Terrifying!

WasIBad · 26/09/2023 21:54

God this would annoy me! PLEASE don't give in to either demand. Like a pp said - they can have all the access they want when you've moved out. Just because you're moving out doesn't mean that you have to give in to their intrusive demands.

"Dear EA,

As I've said several times now, it's best for us if there are no more visits between now and <moving out date>. This includes having the locks changed. I hope that's clear now.

Regards,
OP"

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