Our landlord wants us to leave during the viewings

[olyaro]

Our landlord has put the flat up for sale and viewings are due to start soon. Yesterday we were told that we’re expected to leave the property during the viewings.

This would be quite difficult for us. I work from home in the mornings, and in the afternoons my child is back from nursery, so leaving the flat so regularly would be a big problem for me. This is in addition to getting the place ready for each viewing, which already takes quite a bit of time and effort. And to be honest, I’m also not comfortable with people coming into our home while we’re not there.

We’re happy to cooperate with viewings at reasonable times, but we’d prefer to stay in the flat while they take place. What do you think?

I don't know why you're even getting the flat ready. Much less questioning whether you're in the wrong not to let a load of randoms who for all anyone knows could have thieving habits into your home.

Yes and OP clearly likes a game. I’m astonished by her attitude.

Astonished, really? The OP’s home is being sold. There’s no guarantee it will be bought by a landlord and her current landlord is having his cake and eating it by seeking to avoid a void while they sell.

As its a legal requirement to serve notice and obtain a PO , and the landlord can't sell unless he has vacant possession, tell me what is going to happen , legally so that he can sell? It's not a choice, it's a legal requirement.

I wouldn't wish to have random strangers in my home without me present. You are entitled to quiet enjoyment of your home during your tenancy. YANBU, OP. The landlord is being a CF here.

We’re planning to move out. Currently looking for the new property

Even if your contract does contain that clause it shoildnt and you are not obliged to allow viewings. Your LL should wait until the property is empty before arranging viewings.

I'm a landlord, what your landlord is expecting you to do is totally unreasonable. If your landlord is selling with you as a sitting Tennant then clearly its in your interest to facilitate viewings, otherwise to be honest your landlord should go through the correct eviction procedure, or mutually agree you will move. Then once he has vacant possession proceed with selling.

Make sure you familiarise yourself with the new rules and notice periods that apply.

Good luck!

Thanks all for clarifying where the law overrides the contract.

Stsnd firm, OP!

Your post is truly batshit.

The law states that the OP does not have to allow any viewing and there is no "attitude" being displayed here.

She is PAYING rent on the property and should have quiet enjoyment of it.

She is being very accommodating by allowing viewings already and should not be inconvenience further by being asked to leave the premises.

The issue here is the landlord who instead of giving the tenant formal notice and then conducting viewings when the property is vacant has chosen to do viewings while the tenant still lives there so he can avoid losing rent money.

By doing this the landlord needs to accept that the tenant' s wishes and rights need to be considered and respected.

You are totally out of order by suggesting the OP is doing anything wrong.

This LL really is taking the mickey, I would quote him a price for viewings because you are supplying a business service. Tell him you will not be going out anywhere because you are providing him with a service. If you are leaving anyway what have you got to lose? And you dont have to tidy up beyond what you normally would or answer questions. Thats the estate agents job.

This happened to me back when I was renting. At first I played nice and allowed viewings. Then one evening I got messed about badly. The viewing was supposed to be 8pm to give me a chance to get in from work and have my meal. However they came at 6.30 just as I was eating. I made them wait outside in the car until I had my meal. The prospective buyer (male) made some snippy remark about the kitchen being cluttered and the dishes still in the sink. His wife was embarassed and pointed out I had just come in from work. Then he made some personal remarks about some of my possessions. I told him "Youve come to see the house not my belongings so get on with it." They then went around to see the back. I assumed the viewing was over and began to relax to watch TV. Suddenly the man walked back in again and began to ask me questions about the bloody council tax. I threw him out. The etate agent apologised to them and not to me.

Next day I rang the agent and told him there would be no more viewings until I got 30% off the rent. They refused. So I refused all subsequesnt viewings. There were no mobiles then and I recognised the agents number on the landline. Fortunately I had already secured a house further up the street.

There were no deposit protection laws then. I made sure I got my deposit back by not paying the last months rent.

Completely divorced from reality.

Are there problems with the property that he's afraid you may tell viewers about?

Tortephent is probably an amateur landlord with a strong sense of unwarranted entitlement. Thankfully the new regs are squeezing a lot of these types out bit by bit.

If you are planning on leaving then I would say no to viewings.
I can’t remember if it was on here or in the newspaper but I have definitely seen cases where people who let estate agents do viewings have had items stolen from their homes. There’s generally two people viewing and an estate agent can’t be following both round at the same time can they.
If you want to be accommodating I would allow two a week -between the hours of 11am-12 noon one day a week for example - at a time to suit you and I would be firmly advising l would NOT be leaving the property while viewings were happening.

For calling out selfishness and a total lack of respect?

It's unlikely they are looking to sell to a landlord if the current landlord wants them to tidy and vacate for viewings. Even if it were, tenants still have rights.

You clearly don't get out much if this is enough to astonish you

The selfishness is from the landlord, who doesn't seem to have much idea of his legal obligations to the tenant.

Wanting to have unfettered access to your own home that you pay for isn't selfish, and it's the landlord who is being disrespectful here

Op has already stated they are looking to move elsewhere. You can put what the hell you like in a lease but only a court can enforce it. Currently about 4-6 months to get to court. Its the LL who needs to be concilliatory here not the tenants. He has no idea how to treat a business partner.

This, where is the “selfishness and lack of respect”? 🫡

Tell her no and that the times and dates of the appointments will have to be in agreement with yourselves. An alternative is to wait until the property is empty and they can do the viewings whenever they like. They are CFs.

You’re on a wind up. There’s places all over the internet you can do that.

Do you rent through an agent? If so deal with them , they should know this is not right.
You can refuse viewings all together.