Advice on Landlord wanting to Show Tenants Around

kitkat9933 · 2 Aug 2014 at 22:01

malfunkshun said:
You haven't denied the landlords agents access, you have denied them unaccompanied access. You have done nothing wrong and they can't assume that just by giving you notice that they can enter for whatever reason they like, because they can't. Any entry without good cause, which this isn't but a good example is shown above, is trespass.
Having said that, you are leaving in a week so any action you could take should they ignore you would be almost worthless. Keep a record of your communications on the matter and if anything does get damaged or go missing proceed accordingly.

That's the main issue lol, unless its like my TV, Main Rig, Laptop or Monitors, I wouldn't know what had been taken!

LeeUK · 2 Aug 2014 at 23:46

I wouldn't be allowing them to be doing viewings when you are still living there. I've gone and viewed rental houses before and the letting agent has just stood in the kitchen while letting us wander the house on our own.

Also no matter what it says in the tenancy, they can't overwrite your right to peaceful enjoyment. If they won't repect your wishes and you suspect them to come in when you are out, I would change the lock but change it back when you vacate the property.

Also you need to check your tenancy about leaving the property empty for 3 weeks once you move unless you are planning to hand the keys back straight away. Some landlords won't take kindly to their property being left empty for weeks even if it is paid up. Security and insurance purpose.

EDIT: Also if you do agree to viewings, ask if you can get a rebate for the 3 weeks rent that you have paid seeing as they are wanting to move someone else in straight away e.g double money for the landlord.

Richie · 3 Aug 2014 at 08:40

kitkat9933 said:
....I would also feel worried about something being stolen (as well as if I'm not present while other people are it will invalidate my insurance aswell ).

Richie said:
How do they plan on gaining access? Do they have a key?

kitkat9933 said:
Yes and they have clearly stated in their letter after I said no entry without my permission they will use their key if I am not around.

Does them having a key and possible free access to the flat not cause the same problems with insurance you stated as well? :confused:

kitkat9933 · 3 Aug 2014 at 14:22

Richie said:
Does them having a key and possible free access to the flat not cause the same problems with insurance you stated as well?

Not that they have access as when you rent you can't help that. It's when they give them self access unattended.

£15 · 4 Aug 2014 at 18:00

Change the locks for the last few weeks, then put them back. Won't cost a lot.

kitkat9933 · 4 Aug 2014 at 20:02

So yeh, I re-iterated this morning that they couldn't come in which they said they could so I just said that if they entered I'd the police for trespassing and would have the proof of denying them entry and the CCTV of them entering.

Then they finally agreed to cancel the viewings and play on my terms.

Antony101 · 5 Aug 2014 at 03:46

Just have some really dirty sex at the time he intends to show people the property.

kitkat9933 · 5 Aug 2014 at 08:37

Antony101 said:
Just have some really dirty sex at the time he intends to show people the property.

With who? Is that you volunteering?

the_r_sole · 5 Aug 2014 at 09:56

surely the landlord can get access with 24hrs notice?
tbh I think it's really wide to be this awkward - we handed our notice in and offered the landlord access anytime, and even offered to do some viewings for them if they wanted - it's part of renting a property that if you move they need to show it.
we have some expensive stuff kicking around and some original art works in the house, all the viewings will be supervised, no one is there to steal your stuff!

kitkat9933 · 5 Aug 2014 at 10:57

the_r_sole said:
surely the landlord can get access with 24hrs notice?
tbh I think it's really wide to be this awkward - we handed our notice in and offered the landlord access anytime, and even offered to do some viewings for them if they wanted - it's part of renting a property that if you move they need to show it.
we have some expensive stuff kicking around and some original art works in the house, all the viewings will be supervised, no one is there to steal your stuff!

1. Why should I show them around? I'm not paid to do so.
2. I wouldn't trust my landlord or the management company with my stuff, maybe you can with yours.
3. The vast majority of thieves are opportunists rather than setting out with the intention to steal.

the_r_sole · 5 Aug 2014 at 11:37

kitkat9933 said:
1. Why should I show them around? I'm not paid to do so.

I didn't say you should, i just said what I did - it's just about being reasonable…

kitkat9933 said:
2. I wouldn't trust my landlord or the management company with my stuff, maybe you can with yours.

Do you think a management company showing people around would really not be capable of looking after the house/contents they are showing?! they wouldn't be in business long if they were ransacking the houses they were showing.

kitkat9933 said:
3. The vast majority of thieves are opportunists rather than setting out with the intention to steal.

obviously all your great stuff would just be so tempting for people looking to rent out a flat that they just couldn't resist stealing it… I can't remember how many times I've stolen random bits and pieces from flat's i've viewed coz that's just what people do right?!
I'm glad I don't have the same insecurities as you, maybe renting isn't for you… why not sell the 30k worth of electronics and put that down as a deposit for house? then you'd never have to worry

kitkat9933 · 5 Aug 2014 at 11:38

the_r_sole said:
I didn't say you should, i just said what I did - it's just about being reasonable…

Do you think a management company showing people around would really not be capable of looking after the house/contents they are showing?! they wouldn't be in business long if they were ransacking the houses they were showing.

obviously all your great stuff would just be so tempting for people looking to rent out a flat that they just couldn't resist stealing it… I can't remember how many times I've stolen random bits and pieces from flat's i've viewed coz that's just what people do right?!
I'm glad I don't have the same insecurities as you, maybe renting isn't for you… why not sell the 30k worth of electronics and put that down as a deposit for house? then you'd never have to worry

It's easy to get away with stuff and not get caught.

The reason I'm moving out is because I've just bought a house aka as it says in OP.

the_r_sole · 5 Aug 2014 at 11:43

well, either you have to move your expensive equipment out of the house or just stop being so unreasonable with the viewings - what does the tenancy agreement say about viewings, it's not really up to you to set the conditions

this is what my tenancy agreement says:

(i) During the last six weeks of my tenancy to permit prospective tenants or purchasers to visit the property at all reasonable times provided reasonable notice of intention to do so is given and I agree to allow a "To Let" or "For Sale" board to be fixed to the said home when required;

guess it depends on your definition of "reasonable"

kitkat9933 · 5 Aug 2014 at 11:50

the_r_sole said:
well, either you have to move your expensive equipment out of the house or just stop being so unreasonable with the viewings - what does the tenancy agreement say about viewings, it's not really up to you to set the conditions

this is what my tenancy agreement says:

guess it depends on your definition of "reasonable"

A tenancy agreement isn't worth the paper it is written on, it doesn't overwrite law.

Haggisman · 5 Aug 2014 at 11:52

Let the landlord do the viewings.
Sue them for the value of the "missing" £4k watch
????
Profit

the_r_sole · 5 Aug 2014 at 12:03

kitkat9933 said:
A tenancy agreement isn't worth the paper it is written on, it doesn't overwrite law.

I'm glad that since your op asking for advice you are now entirely clued up on the ins and outs of all the legalities surrounding tenancy agreements and some other "law".

Instead of wasting time looking into how you can annoy everyone involved, you could try being reasonable with them and speak to them to see if there is a compromise to be reached - it's what most normal people do in situations like this

Adam · 5 Aug 2014 at 12:13

You are setting yourself up for your landlord to be as awkward as you are being when he comes to returning your deposit.

Why not just be reasonable and show a couple of people around? If your landlord has been reasonable to you then look at it from his point of view, he doesn't want his property vacant which loses him money every month. He wants a seamless transition of tenants.

From your point of view I would imagine that unless the house is in a mess it will only take 2/3 viewings as the rental market is so strong. You are also doing him a favour and stand a better chance of getting as much of your deposit back as possible.

Trifid · 5 Aug 2014 at 12:16

the_r_sole said:
Instead of wasting time looking into how you can annoy everyone involved, you could try being reasonable with them and speak to them to see if there is a compromise to be reached - it's what most normal people do in situations like this

How exactly is 'after 4pm this week or any time next week when I'm no longer in the property' not reasonable? He's not being an R_Sole by requesting they do viewings when he is present.

My brother had a rather nice diving watch stolen after the agent had done viewings when he was not present.

kitkat9933 · 5 Aug 2014 at 12:26

Adam said:
You are setting yourself up for your landlord to be as awkward as you are being when he comes to returning your deposit.

Why not just be reasonable and show a couple of people around? If your landlord has been reasonable to you then look at it from his point of view, he doesn't want his property vacant which loses him money every month. He wants a seamless transition of tenants.

From your point of view I would imagine that unless the house is in a mess it will only take 2/3 viewings as the rental market is so strong. You are also doing him a favour and stand a better chance of getting as much of your deposit back as possible.

I think I've been the opposite tbh, I said after I've moved out they can come round as they want without even asking.

the_r_sole · 5 Aug 2014 at 12:27

Trifid said:
How exactly is 'after 4pm this week or any time next week when I'm no longer in the property' not reasonable? He's not being an R_Sole by requesting they do viewings when he is present.

Is that what he said? in the op it sounded like he said he would deny any viewings where he wasn't present or didn't fit with his working hours - if he had a discussion with them without the attitude it may be easier to reach compromise.
Reasonable would be a compromise from both sides imo.