Tenants Right Help Wanted.

[RATTER15]

The house that we have rented is up for sale, that is no surprise to us, we are on a 12 month contract.

We were told by the owners that they may need to sell the house but they were hoping to keep it.

So the house is up for sale. We had been told by our Landlady to expect prospective buyers.

Our landlady and landlord then came to the house and told us that we have to de-clutter. We have a lot of furniture and nic nacs but it is a very large house. we are only using three of the four bedrooms and one is left empty, one is being used for storage.

We had quite an argument with our landlady telling us that we need to move things out of the lounge to show off its size etc and the place is too cluttered. I hasten to add that the lounge is massive and our 5 sofas are pretty much lost in the room. The house is perfectly clean and tidy but there are a few boxes around that are still packed from the recent move and they will be staying packed ready for the next move.

What I want to know is our rights as tenants.

Do we actually have to accept that prospective buyers will be walking around our home?

How often do we need to give access to our Landlady to inspect the property?

We do not wish to prevent her from showing the property to prospective buyers or to prevent her access but we just need to know where we stand legally.

What I need is the actual acts that stipulate our rights and how best to word it to show to our Landlady. Thanks.

[woofgang]

Golly Ratter, you don't seem to be having much luck do you?
First question is what does it say in your rental agreement? From memory of when we rented, the agreement usually says things like "reasonable access at reasonable hours and with reasonable notice" but there may be more specific stuff.
She can reasonably (that word again) expect the house to be kept clean and tidy but not expect you to declutter or not keep your neatly packed goods stored on the premises.

[RATTER15]

Woof, The contract only mentions reasonable access to allow repair work to be carried out by anybody with the written permission of the landlord, and to keep the house clean (not tidy) the house is clean and tidy and all belongings not in use is stored in boxes.

[woofgang]

Here's the law, chapter and verse from the Uk.gov website. The site specifically says that the landlord is entitled to inspect the property but they have to give you at least 24 hours notice and it must be at a reasonable time unless its an emergency. You are entitled to "live in the property undisturbed" There is no mention at all of allowing a landlord to show around prospective purchasers, or of having to keep the house in "for sale" condition including decluttering.
The link
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/your-rights-and-responsibilities
Its a printable guide so you can give her a copy :)

[grasscarp]

Our landlady and landlord then came to the house and told us that we have to de-clutter.
What a cheek. They told you you have to!!!!!

[RATTER15]

Thanks Woof, I think we have the right of "quiet Possession" to live in the house undisturbed but I can find it on that document.

[naomi24]

Try talking to Citizens Advice, Ratter.

[cazzz1975]

Unfortunately as the house is up for sale I dont think you can do much about prospective buyers walking around, Im sure that they have to give you sufficient notice so you can prepare.

Landlord inspections should be outlined in your tenancy agreement

as you are only going to be in the property temporarily, have you considered putting some excess stuff into storage, which would make moving house a bit easier when your tenancy is up.

[meglet]

Why should they have to pay for storage when they have a house big enough to store their belongings in though?

[RATTER15]

Cazzz, //Unfortunately as the house is up for sale I dont think you can do much about prospective buyers walking around,//

from what I have read we are under no obligation to allow anybody to view our home except prospective tenants in the last 30 days of our contract.

We dont want to stop viewings we just need to know what the law actually states in relation to this. I think CAB will be the way to go.

[RATTER15]

meglet, exactly, we have more room here than we can ever use so we are using spare rooms as storage. We dont need to be paying £40.00 a month for storage.

[cazzz1975]

it wasn't to do with the house size it was to do with living in temporary accommodation, its a lot of packing and unpacking for the sake of a few months.

I dont think the landlady has a right to tell you to de-clutter or move around furniture, the tenancy should state that other than listed inspections you have the right to quiet enjoyment of your house

[RATTER15]

We aren't unpacking the things we don't need. we can store it far more easily ourselves and in our own home with a lot more convenience. We cant afford wasting money on additional storage.

[RATTER15]

I think the landlady just wants to show off her home at its best and show the full size of the rooms, this is obviously best done with minimal furniture and belongings and we appreciate that. In that case she should not have let it in the first place. we told her that we have a lot of furniture and belongings before we signed contracts and they fully understood that. We dont have an excessive amount of furniture just a bit more than usual. this is our house, it isnt exactly small http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45120830.html

[cazzz1975]

wow a gorgeous house and yes I see your point about storage, especially as you have loads of room, its unacceptable to expect you to live in "show home" mode to suit her agenda to sell

[Sipowicz]

It doesn't look cluttered to me!

[RATTER15]

Sipowicz, that pic was taken before we moved in, but to be honest there isnt much more in the house now.

[New Judge]

Where I live that house would be split into four flats and you would not be able to buy one of them for £220k !!!

[RATTER15]

New Judge £220.00 is very cheap, the place is immaculate throughout but I think there may be structural problems with roof and some of the decorative timbers at the front need replacing, It also adjoins a 10 bedroom house that is also for sale that has been previously used as a hotel. I think that would also put prospective buyers off.

[Hypognosis]

How the other half live, eh? Cor, it's like a DFS showroom. (50 bucks, please) :)
Nice sculpture, too.

Don't forget to tell the LL about the free advertising you just arranged for her.

[Peter Pedant]

When is your tenancy up ?

I agree that the usual biz is 28 d from the end of the term.

I would tell her that you are prepared to accept that buyer can be construed as tenants and that you will allow access at reasonable notice - at reasonable times that is usually 9-5 week days,
and that while she is can suggest decluttering you are under no duty to do so at any time.
why not say that you are prepared to co operate if the tent is reduced ?