To refuse viewings once I’ve given notice

[WryJadeWren]

Once I’ve given notice, I’ve always felt that my time and space should be mine.

In the final weeks I’m usually packing, organising a move, working and trying to keep life ticking over. Having people come in and out for viewings feels disruptive and stressful, especially when it’s framed as an expectation rather than a request.

My view has always been that landlords or agents are free to show the property once it’s empty, on their own time but that I’m not obliged to facilitate viewings while I’m still living there.

AIBU?

I currently manage industrial units and I do always ask tenants if it's ok to facilitate viewings when notice served. I'll usually pop out to viewings as well, and it never takes long and causes minimal disruption.

When I managed resi properties then I'd always wait till outgoing tenant left, as sometimes work was needed between lettings, and it didn't feel right to ask when it was someone's home.

I never allowed it when I was renting. I went through a period where I moved almost every year or every 18 months for about 10 years due to work.

I never had an issue getting a reference.

And the person it does belong to, is losing money of they wait until it's vacant to secure a new tenant. If I want to sell my house, I accept people have to view it.

You are being selfish.

Incorrect.

It is her home during the length of the tenancy. Tenancy law specifically grants temporary possession and privacy rights to the tenant. If the home owner doesn’t like that then they shouldn’t rent out their house.

You have the right to quiet enjoyment if your home. And it is your home. Its the landlords house, but not their home.

Perhaps legally it realistically it’s not hers.

Yeah. Way of the world these days isn't it. People just don't give a sht about others. It's all about me.

But realistically doesn’t matter. Legally she doesn’t have to allow viewings.

And landlords absolutely fall into that category too.

I voted yabu because you’re messing with people who are desperately searching for a place to live as much as you’re messing around the landlord

YANBU. LLs already profit from nothing. They can go without their one weeks passive income to do viewings on their own time.

Does you contract actually state reasonable access?

Its her home as she pays for it to be her home. And her space while she pays for it to be her space.

It is not her responsibility to ensure her landlord has a continuous tenant in their property (property not home as they do not live there) the landlord should have enough contingency to be able to have the place vacant for a short period.

When you were viewing places were they all empty?
ultimately rent will go up if landlords have to factor in void periods of potentially a couple of months every year or two.

Resonable acces is not viewings.

Best not get into the law of unintended consequences. Even the Labour party don't seem to understand it.

Well no they wont because theres a cost of living crisis and rents are already sky high. LLs cannot actually charge anymore than they already do because there will be nobody able to afford the rent they are asking for.

Just say no. Every house ive looked at while renting was empty.

Viewings when you are in the property, at set times (appointments not the utilities idea of one between 8 and 1), I think you should agree to, if the landlord has been a reasonable one.

Not an entitlement of course, being considerate if you have had someone who has been fair to you.

I’m a landlord and I don’t think she’s been unreasonable.

I have sold one rental property and plan on selling another later this year - that tenant intends to move to another area for work so I’ll wait till she’s moved before putting the property on the market. That was what I did with the other property.

As far as I’m concerned it’s my tenants’ home until they leave, and they have a right to privacy and control over who is in their home.

Interestingly, it actually doesn’t mention reasonable access/viewings at all, which is partly why I’ve always viewed it more as a request/negotiation than an obligation.

According to the Citizen's advice it is..

Yes, a reasonable access clause in a tenancy agreement generally allows for viewings by prospective tenants or buyers, provided they are arranged in advance and at a mutually agreeable time. While tenants have a right to quiet, exclusive enjoyment of the property, they must facilitate access if the landlord is selling or re-letting

In that case, you are in much better standing.

Honestly I’d only do it if I got reduced rent.

I don’t want random strangers in my home looking around while it’s still full of my belongings. Nor do I really have to want to go out at 5pm for an hour just because that’s when someone wants to look or 10am Saturday.

It’s a nuisance and pain in the ass.

So if they really wanted it then I’d expect a rent reduction for the hassle.

It doesn’t benefit me at all to be viewing ready at all times and to just disappear at the drop of a hat or as has been known to happen sometimes things go missing during viewings.

I do understand that side of it tbh and I’m not arguing landlords shouldn’t ever show properties before they’re empty. I just think there’s sometimes a tension between business efficiency and the reality that, for the tenant, it’s still their home/living space right up until they leave. Interestingly, whenever I’ve personally viewed rental properties myself, they’ve actually always been empty anyway.