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Original poster

Landlord selling

156 replies

Mooovingonout · 27/05/2022 14:41

Yesterday I was informed my landlord intended to sell the house I live in but I'm not yet being given the official two months notice.
The estate agent does want to come round and take photos and get it on the market asap. I said it will have to be after half term but that's not good enough for them, they want to come on Monday. I can say no to that right? Unless they would like my children in every photo and they're toys out??

My view is if they want me to get the house photo ready they should take when I'm available. I'm not gaining anything from the sale

OP posts:
LIZS · 27/05/2022 14:43

You do not have to give them access for photos or viewings.

bigdecisionstomake · 27/05/2022 14:43

Yes, you're right, you can absolutely refuse entry if you choose to do so. You've made a perfectly reasonable alternative suggestion so if they don't want to go with that I'd just refuse point blank.

tokyotea · 27/05/2022 14:47

This has happened to us too. Yes, you can refuse viewings. Ours suggested days which weren't convienient with us. I suggested other dates and we came to an agreement. They weren't pushy in this regard and really grateful we weren't trying to be difficult. I did not want to be unreasonable, as it's the landlords right to sell their property, but it is your home. So I would refuse the viewing on Monday but suggest alternative dates which work better for you.

SylviasMotherSaid · 27/05/2022 15:14

I tried to refuse photos and landlord contacted letting agents and they were insistent that as it was in their view a reasonable request I had to agree so house went online with photos of all of our things . We then had to put up with viewers coming as the letting agent again said it was a reasonable request . Check your contract as a lot of them have a standard thing about allowing viewings etc in last months of tenancy . It’s shit

easyday · 27/05/2022 15:34

@SylviasMotherSaid doesn't matter what the contract states you do not have to allow access at all.
Hopefully a mutually agreed time can be reached but don't listen to the agents - what's in your lease does not supersede the law, and the law says you have the right to refuse entry unless in case of emergency (like fire or a gas leak), or essential repairs.

Original poster
Mooovingonout · 27/05/2022 15:57

I've just read my contract and it says during the two months notice - I've not received it yet. Also reasonable notice - they dropped this bombshell on me yesterday and expect me to be ok with it, well I'm not. I do t want to be difficult and I understand the reasons for the landlord selling but I'm really upset about it. The signs went up and I burst out crying. In a few days I'm sure I'll be fine and more accommodating for photos/viewings/whatever.

Right now I want to tell them where to shove it but we're interested in a house they manage ....

OP posts:
easyday · 27/05/2022 16:04

You don't have to do it within the two months notice. Your lease does not trump the law!

TwuntyFriend · 27/05/2022 16:09

As mentioned above, it doesn't matter what your contract states - you do NOT have to allow any access for viewings or photos at all. You are entitled to peaceful enjoyment of your home.

If they're going to be difficult then don't allow them access at all.

ivykaty44 · 27/05/2022 16:14

They haven't given you notice as they want you to pay the rent for as long as possible, so getting it on the market and getting it sold first before giving you notice to restrict the time the house is empty and they become responsible for the bills, including utilities and council tax

Id email so you have a record, and state that whilst you understand they need access Monday is not convent and state alternative dates. Let them know you've sought advice on this and it's within your rights to say no when it's not convenient and you are not trying to be obstructive so would appreciate there understanding.

girlmom21 · 27/05/2022 16:19

They can use the pictures they used when the advertised it To Let if they're desperate

rainingsnoring · 27/05/2022 21:21

Tell them next week is not convenient and do not allow them to bully you. No wonder you are upset.

bigdecisionstomake · 28/05/2022 09:15

Just to re-iterate what others have said - even if your contract says you have to allow viewings, you really don't. The law states that all tenants have the right to 'quiet enjoyment' of their property which basically means no-one should bother you unless you give them permission to.

Whilst most agents have a clause in their tenancy agreements saying you have to allow viewings you really don't and those clauses would be deemed as unfair in law as they breach your statutory right to quiet enjoyment of your property.

That doesn't necessarily mean that for good relations sake you couldn't choose to allow some leeway for viewings/photographs etc... but it is perfectly reasonable to make sure the arrangements suit yourself as well as the agent/landlord. I mention good relations in case you need a reference from the agent or may possibly even use them to find an onward property.

I think you've been perfectly reasonable in suggesting an alternative date that suits you as well as will offer the agent the chance of better pictures so I'd stick to my guns if I were you.

Original poster
Mooovingonout · 28/05/2022 10:45

So I'm going to email the estate agent something along the lines of -

As previously stated it is not convenient for us for photos to be taken of the property next week as it is half term. Anytime after Tuesday 7th June 12pm will be fine.

Regards
Pissed off tenant

Obviously not putting the signature.

Ive got epilepsy, stress causes my seizures and I'm already having more. I'm going to end up back in hospital the way this is going.

OP posts:
LIZS · 28/05/2022 10:50

I would add "please give minimum 24 hours notice of requiring access, as per the lease"* * (or whatever it states).

rodham · 28/05/2022 11:35

You're being more than reasonable allowing them any access at all. Do this at your pace, when it's convenient for you, because the next thing will be viewings, then a surveyor etc. It's your home and regardless of what your contract might say re access, the only thing you need to legally let them in for is an emergency. Remember 24 hours notice is to give you their intention to visit, you still have to agree.

Controversial this maybe but I would also consider not tidying up for the photos. We've just bought and didn't bother enquiring about houses where it was obviously tenanted (beds not made, toys over floor etc) because we didn't want the uncertainty of not knowing whether the tenant would leave. This will therefore possibly cut down on the number of viewings you need to accommodate. It might also attract landlord buyers who would buy with you in situ.

LilacPoppy · 28/05/2022 11:38

no don’t let them take any photos at all until after you have left. Why are doing them favours, as pp have said regardless of your contract you don’t have to allow access at all. Why make it easier for them to make you leave you home.

rodham · 28/05/2022 11:43

There's lots you could do to put off potential buyers in the photos if you wanted to, thinking about it. Eg give the impression that storage is at a minimum - lots of things on the kitchen counters, cluttered bathroom, if things like hoovers and shoe racks are in a cupboard take them out and have on display.

I'm sure I will be jumped on for suggesting this but I think it's disgraceful that landlords put tenants' homes on the market whilst they still live there and expect them to accept all the intrusion. They should wait until the tenancy has ended and suck up the void period.

Undecicive · 28/05/2022 11:50

I never bothered tidying up. They chose to use the photos for the original renting advert. 😄
My husband happened to be wfh at the time, he keenly shared his opinion on the house with every viewer. (Even though I told him to keep his nose out of it.) He pointed out to everybody that the neighbour's extensions was overhanging thr boundary.

HipsterCoffeeShop · 28/05/2022 11:52

rodham · 28/05/2022 11:43

There's lots you could do to put off potential buyers in the photos if you wanted to, thinking about it. Eg give the impression that storage is at a minimum - lots of things on the kitchen counters, cluttered bathroom, if things like hoovers and shoe racks are in a cupboard take them out and have on display.

I'm sure I will be jumped on for suggesting this but I think it's disgraceful that landlords put tenants' homes on the market whilst they still live there and expect them to accept all the intrusion. They should wait until the tenancy has ended and suck up the void period.

I wouldn't jump on you. I think it's disgraceful that LLs and letting agents expect tenants to put up with the disruption and inconvenience involved in selling a house.

You are correct and they should wait until the property is empty to sell.

Original poster
Mooovingonout · 28/05/2022 12:03

I've just emailed the estate agent that they can't come round next week, I feel better already.

We've viewed a house with the same agency so hopefully they can move things along quickly with that and we can move out of this one quicker and they get their bloody photos

OP posts:
Didyousaysomethingdarling · 28/05/2022 12:08

@Mooovingonout

We've viewed a house with the same agency....

Are they the same agency which is selling your property?

Original poster
Mooovingonout · 28/05/2022 12:09

Didyousaysomethingdarling · 28/05/2022 12:08

@Mooovingonout

We've viewed a house with the same agency....

Are they the same agency which is selling your property?

Yes

OP posts:
Didyousaysomethingdarling · 28/05/2022 12:11

@Mooovingonout

Is there a shortage of rentals in your area?

Intrigueddotcom · 28/05/2022 12:11

What’s the big deal?

you don’t need to do a damn thing to style it etc

let them in and no need to do any prep whatever as you would if you were the one renting oht

Original poster
Mooovingonout · 28/05/2022 12:19

Didyousaysomethingdarling · 28/05/2022 12:11

@Mooovingonout

Is there a shortage of rentals in your area?

Yeah there is

OP posts: