Vendor's tenants not playing ball

sportbeth

Morning!

Odd sitch this. We've recently completed on oh's sale:rotfl: and now we have a rented flat with no contract, deposit in the bank and mortgage agreed in principle. We are ready to go whenever we can and are hoping our position will help us enormously.

We even know the exact estate that we want to live in and what type of house. We have so far missed out narrowly on one, and have seen one that had been destroyed by the owners lapsidasical DIY skills.

Knowing that the houses where we want to be come and go quickly, we have buddied up with all the estate agents in the area to try and get early warning on these houses. One such EA has called us to say there is a house, brand new on the market but with tenants in

These tenants have fallen out with the vendor as they refuse to have any viewings at evenings or weekends, fair enough as they have small children and are probably not that interested in helping to sell the house that will technically terminate their contract.

We've tried to offer weekday viewings, but the tenant is now not even returning the EA's calls by the looks of it. Does this sound like a whole heap of trouble? If I was the vendor I'd be fuming by now. A buyer trying to chew my arm off to buy and they can't get into my house to see it!

chugalug

If they're that reluctant to let you view how quick do you think they'd move out. It can be a long process. I can see their point though. perhaps the landlord didnt tell them he wanted to sell and they were hoping for a long term let. This is their home after all.

sportbeth

Oh yeah, I agree. And having rented for the past 6 years in the same flat I would have been totally in the same boat and very peeved. We've got total sympathy, the only saving grace is that the longer we stay in our flat the more cash we could save up so we could be a bit flexible to accomodate the tenants.

But knowing this is where we want to be, we also want to see it before anyone else! It's a tough call for the tenants though, and the seller I guess because they're kind of over a barrel

lynzpower

Not being funny, but any chance you could kind of bribe them, maybe if they wanted to take over the tenancy where you are if you LL is happy to have you on a long let for 6 years, maybe they might be interested in that, or any other properties that your LL might have to offer. See if you could offer them something, or the estate agent might have something similar. Worth a stab?

sportbeth

Well yeah I guess. But I'm in a flat at the moment and they're in a lovely house with children. And my landlord doesn't seem to have the same glamorous touch as their landlord!!

It's a really tough call because whichever way you look at it, we would be percieved as the bad guys, but until we can get to speak to them we can't make any sort of suggestions. But I'd l;ike to think that we're their most flexible option as we're not in a chain

black-saturn

It is totally up to the tenant whether they want viewings or not. The tenant is entitled to private and peaceful use of the property right up until the day they move out. So if to them that includes no viewings that is totally their choice.

lynzpower

Black saturn is right here I think, although there is that 24 hour rule for LL to arrange access too, maybe someone could offer more on that? Could you liasise with the vendor to see a) if this 24 hour rule is worthwhile pursuing b) he might want to start eviction procedures asap so then at least everyone is clear about whats going to happen. At the end of the day, the vendor is likely to prefer to sell to you rather than others in chains as you say, and so if he does want to sell he may as well start evicting to make the property more marketable IYSWIM

black-saturn

Starting eviction procedures might end up going round in circles though as the courts will let the tenant stay in the house as long as possible. But if they are not letting anyone view to buy it no one will buy it, so they get to stay in there longer. So it's a vicious circle.

sportbeth

So technically what you are saying is that if they don't want to shift there's naff all the landlord can do about it other than evict them? Blimey!

Tootsie_Roll

Black Saturn is absolutely correct - The 24 hour rule is only for situations that require urgent access such as repairing a leak or similar - certainly not for viewings. The tenant can refuse point blank to allow anyone in (including the landlord) and there's nowt you can do.

A couple of points though - You could get the owner to speak nicely to them and see if he can offer them something for their trouble i.e. half rent for the last month etc etc - make it a win, win as they probably feel a bit exposed now knowing they are going to lose the house they live in. Also make sure if you do proceed with the purchase that the Owner has issued them with the correct notice otherwise they don't have to get out even if their tenancy expires !

black-saturn

One thing landlords can do to help stop situations like this happening (although I admit it doesnt always work) is be a good landlord to your tenants. If repairs need doing do them. Don't go on about who's responsibility it is for ages and "negotiate your decision" for weeks on end. If the tenant has queries or concerns answer them. Then when things come to an end they are more likely to be cooperative.