My Landlord is selling house I rent.

barnaby-bear

poppysarah wrote: »

Ring shelter for advice.
But you don't have to show people round. Your landlord should have realised this. Ask shelter for the right things to write to him in a letter.
Quite often places with tenants in aren't available to view.

"Quiet enjoyment" is a statutory right and tenancy terms can't override this - google or contact shelter for more info.
I wouldn't allow people viewing without being present and you have the right to refuse. Contents insurance may not be valid.

Personally I've found this can be less confrontational than changing the locks but gives the reassurance the LA/LL/Tom/!!!!!!/Harry isn't using any keys when I'm out:
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/38946/Security/Garage-Shed-Security/Shed-Alarms/Yale-Portable-PIR-Alarm?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Datafeed-_-Security-_-Yale%20Portable%20PIR%20Alarm

barnaby-bear

Helen224488 wrote: »

Many thanks to all,

A Nice Englishman- I totally agree with you I think I have the right to refuse entry until last month but then that would !!!! the landlord off & if the new buyer were going to let out property might think I am a difficult tenant also my current landlord might get a bit difficult when it comes to returning security deposit! on the other hand if new landlord has no intention of letting property then I will have to leave at end of 6 months anyway & I would rather live these months in peace without tons of viewings! Decisions, decisions.

I think I am gonna cooperate with landlord & let them carry out HIP & let agent do viewings at a time convenient to me after work no more than once a week. But I don't want to give agent a key to do viewings whilst I'm at work. Do you think that's fair? I'm just a nice, honest person!!!!!!!!!!! Shame everyone else isn't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes - far more than you have to. Especially as you were told long term and have two kids.

Helen224488

Thanks Barnaby-bear, that alarm looks amazing I am so buying one! It's great to find someone who understands, this whole situation is stressing me out loads! Now I really must go to bed & try & get 6-7 hrs sleep b4 work!

Geenie

Work with your LL, be helpful but don't loose sight of the fact that you have an AST for 6 months and your rights. They might sell quickly and want you to move out before this time, but lets be honest, house selling take ages often before completion! But if it is a quick sale before your AST expires, I would put on them the cost of finding you a new place before agreeing to move out.

franklee

HazelS wrote: »

You SHOULD have an assured shorthold tenancy - can you tell me if it's a 6 month tenancy, or a 12 month tenancy?

In post #1 Helen224488 says: "I have a 6 month lease".

HazelS wrote: »

Nobody except for the courts can make you leave your property until the end of that 6 or 12 month period. You should also receive a Notice 2 months prior to the end of the 6 or 12 month period, telling you that they would like to regain possession at the end of your tenancy.

A section 21 notice requiring possession. Helen224488, do check to see if this has already been served, many agents serve as routine to all tenants near the start (see my sig).

HazelS wrote: »

If they don't, SOME courts will err on your side, and suggest to the landlord that by NOT giving you this notice, it is inferred by them that they are happy for you to stay on.

A court would not give the landlord possession without a properly served notice first, a section 21 when the tenant isn't a fault.

HazelS wrote: »

If it were me, I would be as helpful as you can... you never know if the landlord is going to sell it on to an investor who may decide to keep you on as a tenant.... BUT do NOT show people around your property - that's not your job!

If the tenant wants to be present and to show people around so that they can keep an eye on the viewers then they can. Job or not that's what I'd do if I agreed to a viewing. Note the if.

HazelS wrote: »

By the way - the landlord is perfectly entitled to have a key to your property, but must ALWAYS give you "reasonable" notice to enter... and it's pretty bad practice if they enter when you're not there.

Which happens often, so a tenant should be thinking what to do about it. I operate a one unauthorised entry and I change the locks.

Helen224488, you are quite within your rights to stick to the tenancy agreement and only allow viewings in the last month as the agreement says, there is no way that could be deemed awkward as you would be complying with the landlord's/agent's tenancy agreement. Any viewings should be with the correct prior notice and ones that you agree too. If you want to refuse you can, I'd say co-operate with a reasonable number to suit you only. I would also always be present, it's up to you if having strangers view your home without you there matters to you or not. Do assume the agent has a key, I expect the landlord will get one for them sooner or later. Back up any objections you have or your time table and terms for viewings in writing.

Also take a careful note of how the property is advertised so you can see if it's advertised to investors, if so perhaps you may want to be more co-operative, otherwise why put yourself out when you need to be concentrating on moving yourself. That's another advantage of being present at viewings, remember you can talk to the viewers too, so don't be shy to ask them if they want to be an investor and keep you on or if they are looking to a home for themselves.

Finally commiserations for having to deal with this when you thought you had a long term let, the security of tenure for good tenants in this country sucks.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

I would be asking for my fees back if they expect you to let people view in the 5 months.

clutton_2

have you had any letters for your landlord from his mortgage company ?

Helen224488

Another days work over with & thank god it's Friday! I just checked my lease & I didn't sign section 21 at beginning of lease. I also have had no letters from LL's mortgage company. I have spoken over phone to my LL today & they said it is not their intention to make me homeless etc etc. I told them I was seeking legal advice but today the man who is doing the HIP phoned me & wanted to visit to carry it out. It is not his fault he is just doing his job & actually offered me one of his flats to let!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately it is on the wrong side of town for me. Anyway I let him do the check reluctantly. I know the LL can't market the property without the HIP. When I spoke to them on phone they gave the impression that they were doing me a favour by informrming me that the HIP man was coming as they could of just let him enter the property! Obviously this is not legal & I felt like saying you could not do that but I kind of bit my tonugue! But I did tell them how upset I was about the whole situation & they still stick to their story of we are selling to a buyer who wants to let out the property. I am interested on the price it will be marketed at because property prices are crap at moment. I can't afford to buy as although I work F.T I am on my own with 2 kids so only 1 salary coming in. Oh well the good news is I have a box of thorntons & a good bottle of red (a pressie from work, all my hard graft!) CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!