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Original poster

Need advice. Really upset by landlords behaviour

395 replies

amazegumball · 07/02/2015 20:36

In a 12 month fixed term agreement which runs out on 12th march and go into a month by month contract.
In the Summer (when my baby was 2 weeks old) I was advised the landlord is selling the property. I explained my situation and said not only will i find it difficult to accommodate viewings with a newborn but we are halfway through a fixed tenancy so he cant.
A week after xmas i get an email saying the property will now be put on the market and two months notice will be given after my fixed term runs out.
Im devastated as i love my home and my kids are in the local school not to mention i have a fitted kitchen and bedroom so will have to fork out for new.
Letting agents emailed last week. Said landlord will be coming on monday to take pics. I was away at the time and said its wasnt convenient.
Just received another email( 5.30pm today ) saying the landlord WILL be coming this monday morning at 10am bringing with him several agents and can i make the house presentable?
I responded saying Monday wasnt convenient (its my bday and ive planned a day out) but the next day was.
Ive just received a email back saying -

Sorry it's going to have to be Monday as it's all booked in with the agents. The landlord left it last week as you were away but cannot change it again.

The landlord wants to keep disturbance to a minimum and will work with you as much as possible but is only required to give you 24 hours notice to enter the property.

Surely i have to agree to this first??
Also if he sells the property do i (as i tenant) go with the sale?
Fed up of moving house every 3 years

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 07/02/2015 20:44

It is your home.

Nobody has a right to enter it without your permission.

It is not like an emergency when it is on fire.

The landlord knows that

The agent knows that.

I would tend to send a one-line reply:

"This is my home. You do not have my permission to enter it. Any attempt at breaking and entering will be reported to the police"

And stick a copy on the front door when you go out.

AndHarry · 07/02/2015 20:44

Sorry you're having to move again but I think the LL has already been quite accommodating. Is there ever going to be a convenient time for them to do photos etc. or were you planning on blocking that for as long as possible?

SocksRock · 07/02/2015 20:46

If she wants to block it, she is absolutely entitled to. It is her home, and the 24 hours thing only applies in emergencies.

AndreaZuckerman · 07/02/2015 20:47

I think, but am not an expert so can't be completely sure that the landlord/letting agents can't just come in even with 24 hours notice unless it's an emergency or much needed repairs. I think they can say what they like but they have no right to enter until you leave.

AndreaZuckerman · 07/02/2015 20:47

Found this on Shelter and it says they can only enter when it is suitable for the tenant.

Lucked · 07/02/2015 20:49

Surely it's ideal if you aren't going to be in. Leave them to it.

PatMullins · 07/02/2015 20:50

Explicitly tell them in writing you do not give them permission.

It is your home and you do not have to let them in.

LIZS · 07/02/2015 20:51

Two separate issues.
You knew it was a 12 month term and were warned last summer ll was going to sell so you need to accept that renting can mean moving regularly.
The access issue which I think you can stall until March.
Whether you can be a sitting tenant depends on whether a vendor is buying to let or to live in themselves, and if the former whether your current ll suggests you are worth keeping.

AndHarry · 07/02/2015 20:52

She might well be within her rights to not allow anyone in but what good will that actually achieve, unless she wants to go down the route of the LL evicting her?

FamiliesShareGerms · 07/02/2015 20:55

Exactly And - it sounds like the landlord is being pretty reasonable

dementedpixie · 07/02/2015 21:00

www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-rights-and-responsibilities -this says they need to give 24 hours notice and visit at a reasonable time of day. You sound like you are being obstructive. The flat is being sold when your tenancy is up and you should look for somewhere else to live.

PopularNamesInclude · 07/02/2015 21:00

I think yabu about the access. Ll has given proper notice. If you are truly unavailable on Monday at 10 then fine. But you sound like you are being awkward.

NerrSnerr · 07/02/2015 21:00

I know it's a pain but you have known since the summer that he wants to sell. I rented in different places for over a decade so know how precarious it can be, but what will obstructing him gain?

Original poster
amazegumball · 07/02/2015 21:00

Im really not against viewing and have said i can do the following day. Its being TOLD its going to happen whether i like it or not.
I want to be here as i dont like the thought of people i do not know being in my home while im not there.

OP posts:
Caronaim · 07/02/2015 21:01

I am fairly sure the landlord CAN enter, as he has given notice.

Original poster
amazegumball · 07/02/2015 21:04

Just to be clear i am not blocking viewings. I was away for a week when he first emailed and tonight when he emailed again i am genuinely out all day on monday and have suggested an alternative day.

OP posts:
AndHarry · 07/02/2015 21:05

It sounds like the LL's exasperated. How about giving them a call, rather than a text, and explaining again that Monday at that time isn't convenient but X time on Y day or A time on B will work, which works?

BubbleGirl01 · 07/02/2015 21:06

No Coronaim he absolutely cannot. It is at the tenant's discretion, comes under the 'quiet enjoyment' clause.

Even in an 'emergency', i.e. the building is on fire, landlord would have no legal right to enter without a court order.

Kvetch15 · 07/02/2015 21:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AndHarry · 07/02/2015 21:08

X-post, sorry. Do you think a call would be better than an email?

UmizoomiThis · 07/02/2015 21:10

No, he cannot enter and you could report them to the police if they did. The estate agents are probably telling him he can because they like to bully tenants with that crap.

That said, every single 12 month contract I've ever seen has a six month plus 2 month notice break clause in it - meaning either you or landlord can give a two month notice at six months into the 12 month contract. Read yours carefully - if it does say that then the landlord could have given you notice and you would have had to move right before Christmas. So I would be much more accomodating.

LadySybilLikesSloeGin · 07/02/2015 21:11

It does sound like you're being obstructive to be honest, sorry. The fact that it has a fitted kitchen and fitted bedrooms isn't really relevant. It's not your house, it belongs to your landlord. Paying rent doesn't make it yours. You are entitled to live there peacefully and he's given you adequate notice. I'd say he's been more than reasonable. I rent by the way so I'm not on a landlord's side, but from what you've written here you're indicating that you're dragging your heels because you don't want to move.

BubbleGirl01 · 07/02/2015 21:12

amazegumball will you need a reference from the letting agent for your next property? Depending on whether you do, I would be inclined to tell them that you will not allow any viewings/photos to be taken until you have moved out.

I think they have a bloody cheek expecting you to facilitate their marketing the property with viewings as well, which will only serve to leave you homeless. They should only be allowed to sell when the property is empty IMO.

Caronaim · 07/02/2015 21:12

I've just checked on the CAB site, the landlord has the right to enter with 24 hours notice to inspect the property.

Original poster
amazegumball · 07/02/2015 21:15

no Umi. I checked it over in the Summer. It has no break clause.

Again im not against viewings but its being told they are coming whether i like it or not. It just feels intrusive.

Maybe i will call them tomorrow (if they are open) . I am feel all next week apart from Monday.

OP posts: