Can I sell my house with "Sitting Tenants" in??

samjocky · 4 February 2006 at 9:56AM

Hi there

I have rented my 3 bedroomed family home out for the last 18 months to a smashing couple in their 50's. I have never, ever had a problem with rent collection with them. They want to remain in my house for ever and ever (they only had to move out of their last property after 13 years because the Housing Association sold it). They are such lovely people and I don't want to make them homeless. However, I am toying with the idea of selling next year to merge with my partner.

Can I sell my house, maybe to a BTL investor, with the arrangements that the tenants can stay?

Grateful for any help here please!

sa1nt · 4 February 2006 at 11:30AM

Hi
Estate agents might have on their books people that are looking for properties for sale with tenants.
I know there are quite a few property investment companies that offer properties as investments so you could always contact them. Google search should kick up a few, though I don't know if they would give you market value as I guess that's where they get their profit, that & a finders fee.

I am looking for a buy to let property, & would love to get one with long term tenants from someone who can recommend the tenants.
A good friend of mine rents & I would buy a place for her to rent from me, but we are down south & she would like a 2 bed house rather than a 1 bed flat & prices are a tad too high.

The only tenanted properties I can find (don't really trust the property management companies) are at auction, but then I don't know if the tenants are reliable or look after the place or if there's a problem which could be why seller is going to auction.

I look forward to hearing replies from people more knowledgeable than me.

Where abouts in the country are you?

Best wishes
Julie

sa1nt · 4 February 2006 at 11:39AM

Hi
This got me thinking & I just phoned a local estate agent to ask if they get any properties with sitting tenants.
She said they never do as they aren't allowed to view unless they get the tenants permission so the sellers normally get the place vacated first.

Having said that, my friend was renting a flat & the owner just gave her 2 months notice & asked if people could see round the place.

jesster_2 · 4 February 2006 at 12:06PM

You can sell a house with sitting tenants. I viewed one when i was considering getting a buy-to-let instead of a buy-to-live-in!

BUT - I was quite strongly warned against buying it because apparently the tenant comes with more rights that if you bought a vacant property and got your own tenants. That put me off.

I think because of this they can be quite difficult to sell, and that might be why some estate agents don't want to take them on.

jules-2005 · 4 February 2006 at 2:11PM

This is an interesting topic. I need to sell my house as I have split up with my husband but would love to stay here with my kids as a tenant.

david29dpo · 5 February 2006 at 8:47AM

i had a 2 bed house with a excellent tenant. i wanted to sell it and got 3 agents round to value it. next day i had a phone call from the tenant and he wanted to buy it! never knew he was interested in buying it. we went halves on the agent fees and ever-ones happy!