To expect my landlord to let me know times of viewings?

[minnieot]

Landlord has been quite difficult so far. We get the keys to our new house next week and move out at the end of this month when our notice period ends. I'm currently pregnant and we're trying to pack and sort things out ready to move alongside us both working full time.

We've tried to be as accommodating as possible, he asked to come to take photos on Monday this week which we agreed to, on Sunday he messaged saying Tuesday at 6pm instead, we agreed. He then messaged saying 6:45, we agreed. Come Tuesday, he tried calling whilst we were both at work and left a message asking to come at 5:30 instead, we said no as we weren't sure we'd be home by that time and needed to tidy a bit ready for him coming over, so we offered 6pm again instead. He agreed but in his message said he had keys anyway for worst case scenario. We don't feel comfortable with him coming over without us being there so we just left it at that seeing as he did agree for 6pm.

5:40pm, we're both home, tidying the place up as it's all a bit upside down with boxes. We hear the key turning in the door and he just walks in! He said sorry, he didn't know we'd be home and it was all a bit awkward but he took the photos.

Yesterday, he messaged saying that he'd be having a couple of viewings on Saturday. We said that's fine and just to let us know the times. Midday today, still not heard anything, we messaged asking if he had the times yet, he said no. AIBU to think it's quite unfair to effectively be expecting us to book off our whole Saturday for him to do viewings as he isn't giving us times? I'm not sleeping well at the moment in pregnancy but I'm going to have to get up super early just in case and then we want to be out of the way for the viewings but we can't really plan anything if we don't know the times?! And we still have packing and organising to do ready for starting to move next week.

He should be giving 24 hours notice of wanting to enter the property each time. He also shouldn’t be entering with his keys without permission unless in emergencies.

Frankly I’d pop to b&q and swap out the barrel until you leave.

This

Also maybe pop an email.

“Good evening Mr landlord.

With regard to viewings this is becoming rather awkward with not knowing times and you just turning up. So Sunday viewings will be available between 4-6pm only as we have other plans and do not want people coming into the property when we are not there.”

You set the times your available.

Yo do not have to allow him viewings at all - if it's a clause in the lease it's irrelevant the law says you don't have to do it. But perhaps giving him a set time is a compromise you can live with.

He doesn't have to give 24hrs notice because he's not allowed to access the property without your permission except in an emergency. He can give all the notice he likes and if you say no then he doesn't get in.

I'd tell him you will not be allowing any further visits or viewings and he is not to enter the property without your permission, he can do the viewings after you move out.

Given the way the landlord has behaved, I wouldn’t allow any more viewings. You’re paid up to the end of the month, meaning it is still your home until the end of the month, and so the terms of the contract, including your right to quiet enjoyment of the property, still apply.

The landlord has absolutely no right to enter your property without your permission, unless it’s for an emergency - and viewings do not fall into that category.

He can ask, and can give the required notice. You can still say no. And the landlord has to respect that otherwise he’s in breach of the tenancy agreement. You’re not in breach of the tenancy agreement. And you’re not in breach of the tenancy by refusing any viewings.

You’ve tried to be accommodating. I would make it clear, because of the landlord’s own actions, that you will no longer be accommodating any of his requests. It will annoy him, but you don’t have to worry about that.

Do not enter into any conversation with him other than by email or text (email is preferable). Then you have a record of all communication.

if you do go down the route of changing the locks (which is fairly simple to do), make sure you keep the original locks and reinstall them at the end of your tenancy.

Stop the viewings! He’s a cf!

From what you've said, it seems as though you've been given the legal required 24 hours notice, he's just being a bit non-committal with exact times. He should let you know them, or at least a rough window. The law says you do have the right to refuse access for a viewing, but that you should not withhold consent unreasonably.

I don't think you actually have to be out the way for the viewings though, and with you packing ready to move, it's expected that the house is in a bit of a state. I doubt he's expecting you to book any time off for them either.

Perhaps next time, you could reply/ follow up with something like:
Hi Landlord,
Fine for viewing on DAY. Please can you let us know times and how many viewing you're expecting asap? I'm currently sleeping strange hours due to pregnancy, so will need to make sure I'm awake so new tenants can view the entire house.
Just so you're aware, we are still in the middle of packing at the moment, and so the house will likely be a bit of a mess, and we will be in the house during the viewing as we're still packing up.
Thanks

If the Landlord has been terrible during the entire time of your residency, feel free to ignore this and make his life harder, but generally if he's been decent, it's worth remaining on pleasant terms to make getting your deposit back easier and quicker.

My parents were in a similar situation last year but cross tho they were they let it happen the estate agents just kept turning up with people at the door and the reason they let it happen to get the deposit back by not being awkward which they did get back..But it sucks that you have to tread nicely these days

Whether or not you are helpful in allowing access for viewings should have absolutely no bearing on how quickly or easily your deposit is returned. It should be in a protection scheme and returned within 10 days.
The landlord cannot deduct ftom the deposit as some kind of punishment.

He's forgotten you have a right to live there peacefully. Just write back clearly and politely saying what exactly you are willing to do or not do. E.g. "Hi, all the communication and flat visits over viewings are starting to impact on our peace at home. Until our tenancy ends on 31st May, the only times the flat will now be available for viewing is 4-6pm on Sundays and 7-9pm on Tuesdays. You can confirm on the day if viewers will come during those time slots or not. We will open the door for viewers, and will be in the flat during the viewing; you or the letting agent can show them round if you prefer. Please remember you are not legally permitted to use your key to enter this flat at those nor other times unless it is an emergency."

The 24hrs thing is BS

OP has the legal right to quiet enjoyment which means she can say no to absolutley everything.
No one can enter her home without her express permission.

OP I would say that until you leave you will not be allowing any visitors.

The wording is 'quiet enjoyment' in refusing any viewings whilst you still live there.

www.payrent.com/articles/quiet-enjoyment-a-tenants-right/