Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

Original poster

allowing viewings end of tenancy

15 replies

ClingingOnNow · 04/05/2023 13:02

We've just exchanged on a house, moving out of rented, have given our month's notice but we'll be completing earlier than that, in 2.5 weeks time so property will be empty for most of the second half of the month. Letting agent wants to do viewings immediately. I want to say no to this - where do we stand legally? We are only here two more weeks, I feel like they can just do viewings once it's empty which surely will be easier for them anyway as they won't need to keep arranging them with us. We need the next two weeks for packing and clearing, plus my husband and I both WFH, plus my DS has ASD and will struggle enough with moving without having to have random strangers coming into his home.

If this was my landlord's only income I might be a bit more flexible, but they live rent free in a nice house they have as part of one of their jobs, and both are on high wages.

OP posts:

Dogsitterwoes · 04/05/2023 13:06

England/Wales? - The law is very clear, you do not have to permit viewings (even if it says you do in your tenancy agreement).

Original poster

ClingingOnNow · 04/05/2023 13:08

The shelter website says they might keep our deposit if we don't allow viewings, that's what I'm concerned about. Yes, we are in England.

OP posts:

Bluebells1970 · 04/05/2023 13:18

We were recently clearing my Dad's flat after his death and the LL wanted us to allow viewings even though we'd given 2 months notice so we had time to clear it. We'd got stuff everywhere, ie emptying cupboards/drawers and I felt that it was just too intrusive as some of it was really hard to decide what to do with. We also had a lot of medical equipment there that hadn't been collected and was taking up a lot of space. The last thing we needed to was to have to tidy up each time we'd been there sorting and make space to walk round each room as we'd allocated rooms for keep, donate and tip.

In the end I rang them, and was quite open that it was just adding more stress when we really didn't need it. I don't think the LL was very happy but the EA understood. Once we'd cleared the worst of it, we said they could start viewings. The deposit was held by the deposit scheme and wasn't affected.

Original poster

ClingingOnNow · 04/05/2023 16:58

Thanks Bluebells, I'm sorry about your Dad.

OP posts:

dreamersdown · 05/05/2023 15:56

If the deposit is held in a tenancy deposit scheme, it won’t be affected by this.

good96 · 05/05/2023 19:05

It doesn’t matter on landlords circumstances - how do you know if they have changed?
As you’re in England, you don’t have to allow people into your home to view it, however, could you not just agree suitable timings? Inconvenient I know but just be flexible. You could take your DS out when viewings are taking place to minimise disruption.

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 05/05/2023 19:22

Say no.

Your insurance won’t cover ransoms coming in. They could slip anything into their pockets.

Original poster

ClingingOnNow · 05/05/2023 19:38

good96 · 05/05/2023 19:05

I can't, his routine means we leave the house at set times only and they wouldn't be long enough for viewings to take place, nor at the time when people would generally want to view.

OP posts:

Original poster

ClingingOnNow · 05/05/2023 19:40

I also have two nervous and elderly rescue cats who would be upset with multiple strangers traipsing through the house.

OP posts:

mondaytosunday · 05/05/2023 20:20

Just say no then. I'm a landlord and understand if a tenant says no viewings.
They cannot hold on to your deposit for this.
It doesn't matter if it's in your lease either - your lease does not trump the law.

Greenfairydust · 05/05/2023 20:52

You legally don't have to allow viewings and no this is not a reason for the landlord to refuse to return your deposit.

Your deposit should by law be held independently in a tenancy deposit scheme anyway.

DrySherry · 06/05/2023 08:36

I would just email to say viewings can start from x date (the date you are actually phyisically out). As others have pointed out you are not going to have any problem even if you refuse point blank to allow viewing before the end of the tenancy. Seeing as you will be out before the end I would just use that as the date you will allow viewings from.

Sundaefraise · 06/05/2023 08:41

good96 · 05/05/2023 19:05

If she has to take her son out of a house they are paying to live in, that is disruptive! She’s already leaving half way through a month but presumably paying for the entire month. The landlord can wait op, he can’t hold on to your deposit because of this either.

canfor · 06/05/2023 08:50

Just say no. You are able to offer access once you've moved out which is before the tenancy ends. That's pretty reasonable.

Original poster

ClingingOnNow · 06/05/2023 08:56

Thanks everyone. Yes, we are of course paying the entire month's notice. LL is already not happy as we transitioned automatically onto a rolling tenancy at the end of our last fixed term and they were trying to push us to sign on for another fixed term.

They will have no issues letting it out again, we've kept it nicely and the rental market where we are is crazy.

OP posts:

Flip