Updating post from Reddit.
It comes with the territory, but I’m sick and tired of making hour long round trips for viewings, only for people to not turn up, even after confirming on the day.
Today, someone confirmed an hour before their viewing, only to ignore my calls when I arrived. Three hours later, they rang and asked me to come back. When I questioned them, they claimed they were stuck in traffic which I simply don’t believe. I suggested that if they wanted me to return, they’d need to cover my travel costs, though I’m sure that probably falls foul of the Tenant Fees Act.
I understand that life sometimes gets in the way, but sending a quick text takes seconds, and most of the time, I don’t believe the excuses anyway.
Apologies if this sounds like a rant, but I’m reaching the end of my tether. How do others handle this?
Edit: To also ask how you avoid it in the first place? The viewings are basically a verbal agreement for each party to turn up. At worst I've had occasions where I've had hour long breaks between the first and last viewing because so many don't bother turning up and I'm just sat twiddling my thumbs.
2x block viewing, 1 in an evening, 1 on a weekend. Spaced 15 mins apart. If someone no shows it’s no big deal.
100% sack then off
If I'm honest anyone that's more than 15 minutes late for a viewing is a sloppy person and unless you have zero other options they'll be a shit bet
Agree with this. I used to work in an office where the sales manager would hire people on a regular basis. People invited to interview would often be late as parking was nightmare. They would often show up late to the interview apologising and say they are here to interview and he would say the interview was at the set time not after and then ask them to go in front of the whole office. If he is late to the interview they will be late to client meetings, same logic applies.
Yes very good example
I work in London and the tradesmen are like "maaaate you would not believe the traffic"
And I'm like ... Yes I would I was also born here
I use OpenRent and I do 2 specific viewing days (one weekend daytime and one weekday evening) and schedule people at 30 minute intervals. I don’t do viewings outside those times, and if anyone doesn’t show then it’s not a disaster. But my property is urban in a high demand area, so I rarely have to do a third viewing time.
Advertise for at least a week prior saying you are doing viewings on a certain date in 15 minute slots. We then send a three separate messages pleading to folks that missed viewings are missed opportunities for others to see the property and essentially not be dicks (though it’s worded nicely). Reminder the day before saying their viewing will be cancelled if they don’t reconfirm. Still get roughly 2 no shoes per block of viewings - we just those times as our lunch time/coffee and or deliberation times.
Block bookings or just use a local agent to do tenant find - they’ll take care of contracts, reference checks etc and more likely to get decent prospects. Yes it costs 2-3 weeks rent but been doing it for years and works for me
Can’t turn up to an appointment you committed to or even have the courtesy to let you know then no expectation they will pay rent on time if at all. By not showing they are doing you a favour
If someone can't arrive at a pre-arranged time then they absolutely can't be trusted to pay rent every month. Just find someone else who isn't a rocket
It comes with the territory, but if they're a no show without prior contact then it's a no from me.
Back to back viewings mean less travel, less disruption and a low chance of a totally missed viewing.
Unfortunately I've known letting agents be a no show before now, back when I was a tenant. I once drove from London to Wales for a viewing, only for the letting agent to be a no show and utterly uncontactable.
Likewise when I was a student, the landlord employed a particularly useless letting agent to find the next year's tenants. We found shivering fresher's on the front doorstep on multiple occasions, because the letting agents just hadn't showed up, and on other occasions we had to turn them away because they hadn't given notice of the viewing. It was stunningly unprofessional.
Last time we did viewings, we booked them in back-to-back 15 minute slots over one weekend. Anyone who couldn't do that weekend didn't get a viewing. I believe we did about 35 viewings, and very few no-shows.
I think if you're travelling a way to do the viewings you've either got to do something like this, or get an agent to do them. You don't have to use the agent for ongoing management.
Honestly, I make it really personal. The day before I write. “Hey, just so you are aware I’m going to book some time to drive an hour to do this viewing. No issue at all if you need to cancel or reschedule, but just let me know, so it’s not a wasted journey for me!” And then before I set out with 15 mins I text again and say, “hey! Just about to set out, confirming we are ok to meet at x?” A thumbs up or confirmed works for me. Never had a no show.
I had this so much when I used openrent I think people just arrange viewings for a laugh and never actually want to turn up. Probably one of the anti landlord brigade on here.
I typically ask existing tenants to host viewings. We agree on an evening when they will be able to host them. I schedule people in 15 minute increments. There is usually an offer on the same evening.
In my experience, when people know there is competition they get their shit together and show up. If not, they know the flag will be gone.
Showing up 3 hours late is a massive red flag for me. If nothing more sinister, these people will be a pain in the butt to deal with, so good to know early and avoid renting to them!
You're the kind of landlord your tenants hate if you're doing this btw.
No one complained so far, believe it or not! I have a good relationships with my tenants, I fix things quickly if anything malfunctions and they don’t mind hosting the viewings. Why would it make a difference that I’m not there? Is there an expectation that I should be there in person at any time convenient to prospective tenants (who may not even show up despite confirming an hour before as OP described)?
This is why it’s said you should live within 30 minutes of your properties
I do live within 30 minutes of my properties but it's still an hour round trip I'm wasting and that's without sitting in traffic too.