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Selling house and tenants refusing to let agents in to do viewings and have changed locks

51 replies

Egg · 24/08/2009 19:37

Hi does anyone have any advice.

We own a house in London and let it out to tenants who have been there since October last year.

Ten days ago we were advised by the Estate Agents that the tenants do not wish to renew as they have "found places that are cheaper".

So we decided to ask the agents to value it with a view to selling it. It was valued at a decent price so we decided to go ahead and put it on the market. For clarification, the same Estate Agents who do the letting are now the ones marketing it for sale.

In the Tenancy Agreement it says that the tenants have to allow "reasonable access" for viewings for the two months prior to vacation. The tenants are being very dificult and have said that, at best, they will only allow access one day per week, and this can only be midweek, not a weekend.

Obviously the agent has said this is not acceptable and has tried to come to an agreement that viewings can take place on one weekday and Saturdays (which is still not ideal).

The tenant has now informed the agent that they have changed the locks.

The tenants have a baby who I think is around six months old. From what I can gather, this is the main reason they are being difficult as they think the viewings will disrupt the baby. Whilst I can understand this, surely they have no legal right to deny access like this? I would have more sympathy for them if it was not them who had decided not to renew the tenancy.

Sorry for being long winded, did not want to miss out any vital info!

Anyone got any advice / experience?

OP posts:
1dilemma · 26/08/2009 00:06

you could also check they are actually a member of ARLA rather then claiming to be (one local well known agent claims to be a member of all sorts but isn't actually a member of anything!)

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