MajorLandmark
26-09-2011, 01:15 AM
First of all, I'd like to say that I realise this may seem like a fairly small thing to be asking about but it's something that rather surprised and annoyed me and I'd like to know if there is anything legal pertaining to this.
To begin with I was contacted by the estate agent with fair notice that they wanted to show a viewer around the flat I am a tennant of. I told them I would be out but they were welcome to let themselves in as they have done previously (no problem here).
When I came back home that evening I firstly noticed a number of my personal belongings had been moved around. Nothing major, but fairly plentiful. To give a few examples: TV remote moved across the room, Dehumidifier in the bedroom moved across the room also, a single glass that was left out on the sideboard put into the sink.
On this point, I thought it rather rude but wouldn't really make a fuss if it was the only thing I noticed.
When I was putting the kitchen blinds tidy (they had been drawn up, and I always leave them down but open during the day) I realised that there was dirt on the draining board (which I had left some clean dishes on to dry on a rack as I didnt deem that unsightly enough to tidy away before the viewing), in the sink and on the dishes themselves. We keep a small cactus plant in the windows which had clearly been knocked off the windowsill when the blinds had been opened by the estate agent (I assume, rather than the viewer) and then replaced after a half-hearted clean up attempt. I found that the sponge we use to wash up with was dirty and wet, dumped in the sink and there was some dirty kitchen roll in the bin to support this (yes, I probably watch too much CSI).
My question then; is that really acceptable? No effort was made to inform me that my clean dishes had been covered with pot plant and a fair amount of my belongings had been moved around. I'd be interested to know whether estate agents have the right to tidy as they see fit (I'm not suggesting I left the flat in an untidy state mind you), or create a mess instead.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this somewhat petty and probably overly long request for advice.
*As an addition I will point out that from what I can tell of my tennancy agreement, I have no obligation to allow viewers into the property currently. The Landlord is selling the property as a buy-to-let with tennants in situe. Since my tenancy has several months remaining, anything that seemed relevant on my agreement regarding this kind of access, well, isn't.
To begin with I was contacted by the estate agent with fair notice that they wanted to show a viewer around the flat I am a tennant of. I told them I would be out but they were welcome to let themselves in as they have done previously (no problem here).
When I came back home that evening I firstly noticed a number of my personal belongings had been moved around. Nothing major, but fairly plentiful. To give a few examples: TV remote moved across the room, Dehumidifier in the bedroom moved across the room also, a single glass that was left out on the sideboard put into the sink.
On this point, I thought it rather rude but wouldn't really make a fuss if it was the only thing I noticed.
When I was putting the kitchen blinds tidy (they had been drawn up, and I always leave them down but open during the day) I realised that there was dirt on the draining board (which I had left some clean dishes on to dry on a rack as I didnt deem that unsightly enough to tidy away before the viewing), in the sink and on the dishes themselves. We keep a small cactus plant in the windows which had clearly been knocked off the windowsill when the blinds had been opened by the estate agent (I assume, rather than the viewer) and then replaced after a half-hearted clean up attempt. I found that the sponge we use to wash up with was dirty and wet, dumped in the sink and there was some dirty kitchen roll in the bin to support this (yes, I probably watch too much CSI).
My question then; is that really acceptable? No effort was made to inform me that my clean dishes had been covered with pot plant and a fair amount of my belongings had been moved around. I'd be interested to know whether estate agents have the right to tidy as they see fit (I'm not suggesting I left the flat in an untidy state mind you), or create a mess instead.
Thank you for taking the time to read through this somewhat petty and probably overly long request for advice.
*As an addition I will point out that from what I can tell of my tennancy agreement, I have no obligation to allow viewers into the property currently. The Landlord is selling the property as a buy-to-let with tennants in situe. Since my tenancy has several months remaining, anything that seemed relevant on my agreement regarding this kind of access, well, isn't.