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Original poster

Landlord selling property during notice period

12 replies

Harper67 · 09/11/2020 14:29

Hello,

Looking for advice or anyone who has been through something similar.

Our landlord has recently given us notice on the home we rent. We have 6 months notice due to Covid which is great because the rental market here is crazy and hardly anything comes up and when they do they go straight away.

Anyway, we were told my our rental agency that the landlord would only market the property when we had moved out, which was great news.

A few days later we get a call from another estate agents asking when they can come and take photos and a 360 tour! It turns out he wants to market it to other landlords this side of Christmas (which could be good for us as we might get to stay) and if that isn’t successful will look to sell to anyone else after that.

I’m in the shielding category and am home with 3 little ones all day, getting out is difficult anyway, never mind getting out somewhere safely whilst leaving a tidy house behind for someone to film every inch of!

Our tenancy agreement says we need to allow viewings and marketing during our notice period, but can we request the photos etc are done after lockdown? Are there any specific Covid related rules?

OP posts:

fandemic · 09/11/2020 14:31

I'm sorry to hear this. I think it's reasonable to refuse to let them into your home during the lockdown. If I were you, I'd get on the phone to Shelter for advice - they are great.

justgeton · 09/11/2020 14:51

Surely it isn't too much to ask for you to have it tidy and let them in when you go out... I'm assuming you do take the children out at times?

ScottishStottie · 09/11/2020 14:53

I think although technically you could refuse any viewings, photos etc, surely its in your best interest to facilitate this if it to potentially sell to a landlord and let you stay?

GreenClock · 09/11/2020 14:54

You’re under no obligation whatsoever to allow access OP but given that the vendor is marketing it to landlords (assuming you believe that) it may be in your interests to agree.

QueenStromba · 09/11/2020 18:18

@justgeton

Surely it isn't too much to ask for you to have it tidy and let them in when you go out... I'm assuming you do take the children out at times?

Perhaps she doesn't want somebody who could potentially be shedding lots of virus spending a significant amount of time in her home? The virus is airborne and can stay in the air for several hours.

saraclara · 09/11/2020 18:24

My friend has just allowed his landlord to have an agent's photographer come in and take photos and a 360 of his flat. This means he won't be put in the position of being asked to allow in person viewings later on, so he was all for it.

He opened the windows, stayed out of the way, and the photographer wasn't there for long at all. Masks worn and really no risk that I or he could think an issue.

I think the risk, if it exists at all, is minuscule. And the advantage of having other landlords taking over is great. I'd go for it without a qualm.

Fridgeandkitchen · 09/11/2020 18:27

@justgeton

Surely it isn't too much to ask for you to have it tidy and let them in when you go out... I'm assuming you do take the children out at times?

Why should she? Why should she give access to strangers. Why should her personal belongings be on show online just to suit the landlord and him wanting to sell.

Watercoloursky · 09/11/2020 18:37

My landlord is selling the flat I'm currently in too (no drama - recently bought a house and will be moving out in under a month) and they sent a photographer round the other day - probably took him 10 mins tops? He wasn't in for long at all, and he wore a mask/gloves.

justgeton · 09/11/2020 23:02

Surely it's unreasonable to deliberately obstruct the sale?

Just insist they wear a mask, don't touch anything and leave a couple of windows open.

saraclara · 09/11/2020 23:55

@Fridgeandkitchen, OP says "It turns out he wants to market it to other landlords this side of Christmas (which could be good for us as we might get to stay)"

So why would she refuse to let anyone view or see photos until she'd moved out? She doesn't WANT to move. Being precious about anyone seeing her belongings would be cutting off her nose to spite her face to a HUGE degree.

FakeFlamingo · 11/11/2020 13:14

We recently had a video done for a house we are selling (waited for tenants to vacate but that's besides the point). It only took 15 minutes for photos + video of a large 4 bedroom.

Could you leave the house for a few hours so that you are only back a couple hours after the agent is in? Might be really good if you can continue to live here. Plus the bonus of being able to refuse in person viewings (although serious buyers will ask for one anyway) at least until lockdown is on.

GoJoe2020 · 11/11/2020 13:22

It doesn't matter what your lease says. you do not have to let anyone into the property at all. You do not have to allow viewings, or photographers, or anything else. Even before covid you could simply have said no.

If you particularly want to, you can let them in if and when it works for you, but there is no reason you should do.

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