AIBU to think shoes off and bare feet at a house viewing is odd?

[Duckrabbit]

I went to view a house today and the estate agent told me to remove my shoes, so I ended up walking around the house in bare feet, which felt very uncomfortable. My shoes were not visibly dirty, btw.

I am shoes off at home, and prefer visitors to do the same, but AIBU to think this is weird for a viewing? I wouldn't want people walking around my house bare foot.

I’m in my 50s and we’ve always been shoes off. I can just about live with it downstairs but really wouldn’t want shoes on on the stairs and upstairs.

We viewed some houses a month or so ago and every house was shoes off - I don’t think it’s that unusual

I’ve been to lots of house viewings where I have been asked to take shoes off. Some estate agents warn in advance, some provide shoe coverings, but I now always take socks, just in case.

I grew up in a shoe off house. Shoes are for the outside not for inside. Always took them off after coming through the door. I don't want to traipse god knows what through the house.

When we were selling our carpet was less than 3 years old so it was shoes off for viewings.

People who visit don't have a problem, workmen even take them off or cover them these days.

If i am going to someone's house I always assume shoes off.

If i am wearing shoes without socks then I will just pop some little socks in my bag to slip on.

It's just something I do when I select "no socks" shoes from the cupboard >> grab a pair of socks from the basket and pop them in handbag.

ALL house views are shoes off!!’

was this your first? You will know better next time

why didn’t you wear socks?

It's sensible to carry socks. You knew you were viewing a house, and you have the same standard yourself, so why wouldn't you expect to remove your shoes in the same way in someone else's house?

I was in Japan this year and it's the culture to carry socks because many places, not just temples, but many business establishments, hotel rooms, ryokans and rental apartments, tourist attractions, have no outdoor shoes rules, and also not to go bare feet.

If you didn’t want to walk in bare feet then, errrr, you shouldn’t have gone in bare feet. It’s perfectly acceptable for someone to ask you to remove your shoes indoors.

You offer take your shoes off another persons house, whether it’s for sale or not is irrelevant.

I would expect to have to take them off for a house viewing and wear something appropriate.

Wear socks then.

simples!!!!

I had this once!! Decided he’d be a nightmare landlord so didn’t rent it. It was on the market much longer than a rental property usually was in the area dropped in price before he could rent it.

@ThatPearlPoet I'd feel the opposite; that the landlord valued his property and expected tenants to do the same.
We've been privately renting for over a decade.
If people visit our home I would expect them to take their shoes off in order to keep the house clean.

I would go to house viewing with the expectation that I might be asked to remove shoes and come prepared accordingly. For well over three quarters of viewings I have been asked to remove shoes. Interestingly it is only in the very grubby houses or those requiring renovation that I have not. You are being very unreasonable.

You need to be warned to take your shoes off when walking all over someone's house?

(even though this is what your rule is in your own house?)

YABU it is the norm to assume shoes off unless you are told otherwise. Shoes off is the default.

If you choose to wear sandals, knowing that you will be walking all over someone's house upstairs and down, then you take some socks. It isn't hard.

Still, you know for next time.

Id rather have someone's foot on my bedroom floor than some dog shit. But you do you!

It is common but not ‘the norm’ or ‘the default’. Not everyone imposes this rule on their guests, personally I never would unless I could see someone’s shoes were exceptionally dirty.

Round here it's been the norm for some time, and I think that's reflected in a strong majority in the house viewings we've done recently. 15 years ago we didn't dream of asking buyers to take their shoes off; now I think we've reached tipping point and it's become normal. Which is not to say it's universal.

Exactly as @Oldoaklands said, the exception is houses that need a refurb.

We are shoes off. I take something to put on my feet at other people's as I think it's rude not to. I would especially do this if I was viewing someone's house. It seems only polite. Next time take some socks with you.

Thats happened at every viewing we be too so totally normal. It's strange you walk in with shoes.

YABU to expect to wear your shoes during a viewing, and so also U to not take a pair of socks with you.

Ridiculous. Didn't you take clean socks and assume it's the norm. So you don't like footwear in YOU'RE home but happy to tread filth in another person's home? Can adults no longer think for themselves?

I would carry disposable shoe covers with you.

Better to have a little bit of perspiration on the bottom of the feet walking on presumably polished, new, carpeting, then the possibility of dog muck, dried crusty mud, chewing gum, spit from the sidewalks, and who knows what all else.
I don't think it's an unusual request, estate agents have been doing that for years and it is based on previous experience.

It could have been cultural.

Goodness I’m planning on changing carpets before we sell in 2 years time, shoes off or overshoes will be mandatory

Im not a shoes off household. I just don’t care but you say you are so in your case I think it’s reasonable to assume that other people are. Not being prepared for something you enforce in your own home is on you.