Right to quiet enjoyment EA pushing

[Maerchentante]

The flat I share is currently for sale, we have accommodated the EA where ever possible.
Now someone wants a third viewing, EA is pushing for today, but only told me that 30 minutes ago. I told him it is not possible as I've got a meeting today that I cannot reschedule. Now he's pushing for even earlier. Both Flatmate and I really don't want them in today. Anything we can do?

Doesn't help that I also don't like this particular agent, his colleagues are more considerate and much nicer. He has form and once only gave 30 minutes notice.

Thank you

I would send a brief reply that you have been accommodating, today is not possible, you have a right to quiet/in disturbed enjoyment and the answer remains no.

Technically you don't have to allow any viewings at all, but it's generally good to meet in the middle.

Tell him no re today, and say going forward you'll need at least 24/48 hours/whatever notice. Then everyone knows where they stand and no one can call you 'difficult' or whatever as giving notice is reasonable

I'd be firm - tell him that unfortunately as he didn't give the required 24 hour notice you're unable to accommodate this viewing, but if he would like to re arrange you're available ~~insert day / time~~.

Just be really careful telling him you're WFH/have meetings etc as lots of rental contracts specifically say you're not allowed to do this.

My advice:

Stand your ground! Be firm and say that you cannot accommodate a viewing today with such short notice (no reasons needed). Tell him that you need him to give you at least X hours/days notice in future. If you are also able to find out the rules/regulations about what sort of notice they are supposed to be giving you etc I’d also find that and insert that into convo. Don’t be intimidated by him or whatever - people get away with stuff because they know people tend to try to avoid conflict where they can so you need to firmly but politely say “no”.

And if you can phone the EA office to ask what is usual procedure/notice given for viewings because X keeps only giving us short notice and you wanted to know what their process is etc would also be a goood idea!

hope that helps!

I told him that today is not possible, so he got someone else to ring me.

Apparently the parents of the potential buyer want to see it, but they are only in the area today before returning to their home abroad tomorrow
Talk about emotional blackmail

This is not your problem to solve. If it can't be today, it can't be today.

Thank you, I wasn't sure if I was unreasonable or not. Flatmate has just also told them NO.

When the second agent rang I told him that we've always been very accommodating and reasonable, but that the agent who texted had form for very short notice, which seemed a surprise to that agent.

Give Shelter a ring about this.
I do believe that by law they must give you a period of notice. It might be 24 hours or more. There might be something on their website?

You don't have to accommodate viewings at all so they should be bloody grateful you have been so accommodating.

Well if they’ve come from abroad presumably they knew they were coming and could have given you decent notice.
EA is being cheeky.

I believe that if you are renting, you don't have to accommodate any viewings whatsoever while you are paying rent (though may choose to allow some if you want to maintain a good relationship with the owner). So you definitely don't have to accommodate viewings at such short notice.

We have a good relationship with the landlord and have told him that we refused a viewing today based on short notice.
He was more than fine with that and also told us that this agent should not be doing more viewings as he has engaged a different agent going forward.
After some back and forth, the old agent is allowed one last viewing tomorrow morning.

Glad you were able to find a compromise that worked @Maerchentante

You're being more than reasonable.