Rental viewings

[frostyfingers]

We have given notice and are due out shortly so the property has gone back on the rental market without us being told, although I assume that's not unusual, it just would have been nice to know! A viewing is booked soon and I know they will be accompanied by an estate agent so we don't need to do anything. My question is, how much effort do you make to present a tidy house - it's not 100% clean and tidy, we are in the middle of packing stuff as we are moving ourselves over a few weeks and there are boxes lying around. The windows are clean, the garden is tidy, it's just the house isn't how I would present it if it were mine and selling IYKWIM.

The thing is the agents (and landlord) have been crap all through the tenancy and I do not feel inclined to be overly helpful - in fact I would dearly love to take the potential tenants on one side and let them know that, obviously I won't, but it's very tempting. Are we likely to be asked anything by the tenants - ie: why are you leaving......(if so we will inform that the house costs a fortune to heat, never gets warm and is as draughty and damp as hell!) or will we be kept well away?

I can't wait to be out of here!

When I'm viewing houses and the current tenants are there I've always asked them directly why they are leaving. You can tell from body language and sometimes from what they don't say that there may be a problem.

You are under no obligation to tidy up for viewings - it is your home until you leave.

We've only had one horrendous and cheating landlady and I managed to warn the tenant (who lived in the complex and wanted to move in for her own very good reasons) about her.

PS You can't be "kept away" from someone viewing your home. You can accompany them around if you like. They are looking at your private possessions remember.

Although if I were you I would be tempted to make no effort at all! But check your contract! When we were renting it had in the contract small print that the house had to be tidy for viewings. If you've got an arse for a landlord they could find some obscure reason not to give back a full refund in revenge!! (Once had a landlord that deducted £5 per bit of blue tac on the wall in a student house!!)

You don't have to do viewings at all. You are within your rights to say no.

Regardless of what your contract says you can refuse viewings. When tenants ask about the house say something like 'it's probably best I don't say'. They'll get the message.

I don't understand how you can refuse viewings if it's in the contract?? That's why contracts are signed and agreed. I've never heard anyone suggest this before.

carla
simple, it's the law.
even if it is in the contract, if it is against the law it's not valid.
generally speaking, the tennant doesn't need to let anyone into their home (except for someone with a warrant) if they don't want them to.
landlord can only enter without permission in an emergency (as in blue lights!).

twiddle that's where depost protection schemes come in. landlords cannot decuct things willy-nilly...

It is called the right to enjoy your own home in peace and quiet so you can refuse all viewings until you have left.

if you wish you can be difficult about refusing viewings. If you'd like to remain on the higher ground, let them in when convenient but don't worry about tidying up. In fact, signs of packing are good as it demonstrates that you are leaving.

you are not the seller and are not bound by their requirement to tell the truth, you can say what you like. It should be obvious if the house has draught problems - windows etc.

the obvious thing for the landlord to do when tenants leave is to market the place for new ones.

I won't refuse viewings as I don't want to put their backs up for the checkout process, what I really want is to try and get across to potential tenants the number of cons regarding the property and the agents without compromising our deposit etc. Pure spite I know, and very petty, but they've really hacked me off over the last 18 months.

I notice that they say the rent includes a gardener - hah, what they mean is someone who comes round every 3 weeks or so and rough mows the grass, not someone who comes and weeds and does the serious stuff..... When we declined his "service" he was relieved and said he didn't want to do it anyway, I bet the agents haven't checked whether he's prepared to do it. I'll be around but I won't be bending over backwards to make it immaculate. It's not that the house is a tip or filthy, just messy!