Landlord is selling up, but hasnt told us.

sandco

Hi
Im a newbie here and this is my first posting, so please be kind to me!!!

I am on an "Assured Shorthold Tenancy" which was originally for 6 months from 14th June 2007 to 15 December 2007. The rent was agreed then and has not changed since. A Contract was signed, (which I still have) and my deposit was registered with the Deposit Protection thing.
I am still in the property as of now.

The problem which has arisen is that a colleague has told me the place where I was advertised in the local property for sale.
I didn't believe it and did some digging of my own.

I phoned up the estate agent pretending to have an interest in the property and was told by the EA that the landlord was saying that he preferred that the current tenants did not know the house was on the market.
I asked if the house was being sold as a 'going concern' and was told by the EA that it wasn't and it would be very easy to convert it back to a normal living space.

Along with several other house mates are pretty annoyed with what the Landlord is doing and are prepared to make the selling process as hard as possible for him.

My questions:
1: Can the Landlord legally sell the house without telling us?

2: How much notice must I be given by the Landlord before he can 'kick' me out or 'evict' me?
2.1: When does this time commence from. My next rent due day or when im actually given it?
2.2 Does it have to be given to me by hand or can it be tucked under my door?
2.3: In regards to the above which is the best option to go, to be evicted or just leave when I get the notice?

3: What happens to my deposit?

4: Is it worth confronting my Landlord stating the above and risk being given the 2 months notice, or wait until he gives me it?

5: Do you advise I stay put, or start looking for new places to rent now?

Thanks for any advice you can give.

IWantToBeFree_2

Our old Landlord decided to sell, and the latest AST that we had signed had gone past the 6 month point and I think he gave a months notice, but actually let us stay in the house for a bit longer until we completed on the house we were purchasing, but he was a very sound landlord, one of a kind!

As for making it as hard as possible for him to sell, a little selfish don't you think? Its his house afterall, I would focus your efforts on finding somewhere else to live, rather than trying to make someone elses life hell!

amcluesent

>he preferred that the current tenants did not know the house was on the market.<

Understandable, given how you've kicked off right away

CloudCuckooLand

Is the deposit still protected? Around 90 days after my 12-month AST ran out, I got a letter saying it had become unprotected...

If it isn't, I wouldn't go making too much trouble...

PasturesNew

sandco wrote: »

My questions:
1: Can the Landlord legally sell the house without telling us? Yes

2: How much notice must I be given by the Landlord before he can 'kick' me out or 'evict' me? Two full months, from a rent date
2.1: When does this time commence from. My next rent due day or when im actually given it? From the rent date on/after the date he gives you proper (Section 21) notice to leave. If he gives you this the day after a rent date that means you have 3 months.
2.2 Does it have to be given to me by hand or can it be tucked under my door? In writing, so it'd be OK under your door if he could prove the date he did it.
2.3: In regards to the above which is the best option to go, to be evicted or just leave when I get the notice? Just leave when you get notice, or, give him a month's notice on a rent date and leave ... he'll have it empty then, no rent coming in. That'll teach the ferker.

3: What happens to my deposit? You'll get it back, it's protected.

4: Is it worth confronting my Landlord stating the above and risk being given the 2 months notice, or wait until he gives me it? That's up to you.

5: Do you advise I stay put, or start looking for new places to rent now? Depends how you feel. If you're getting a good deal there, then stay until you get notice. If there are reasons you've thought of moving, then now's a good time to look (winter months are quiet for rentals, so you're likely to be able to get a good price on another place).

Thanks for any advice you can give.

I hope that helps.

sandco

PasturesNew wrote: »

I hope that helps.

Thanks very much, so it seems I am safe till after Christmas.

CloudCuckooLand wrote: »

Is the deposit still protected? Around 90 days after my 12-month AST ran out, I got a letter saying it had become unprotected...

If it isn't, I wouldn't go making too much trouble...

I've not had any letters from them stating this.

bitsandpieces

Not sure what you gain from confronting the LL. All that seems likely is annoying him - and you may get given notice earlier or (esp given the property is currently tenanted and the current climate) he may not manage to sell at all or for a long time, so you could have to deal with LL for repairs for some time. If you want to confront LL for your personal satisfaction - not sure this is the best idea, but your call - it's sensible to wait at least until notice has been given by one side or the other.

franklee

My concern is how the heck can the landlord sell the house without letting the tenant know to arrange viewings. Is he letting himself and viewers in without notifying tenant or what? Sometimes landlords buy an investment property without having viewed but this isn't being sold as a 'going concern'.

Even if the OP is in a shared house with each tenant renting as individuals, the landlord shouldn't be going into the OP's room without the OP agreeing. If the tenants are renting the house as a whole the landlord shouldn't be going in at all without the tenants knowing.

sandco

franklee.

The LL has been going into other tenants rooms (I saw him), however he has not yet shown anyone my room, I know this because of the unbroken crisps which are left on the carpet to the door (!!!!!!).

It does say in my original contract he can show people around (worded in such a way as to potential transfer of interest in the property) but has to give me 24hrs notice of this.

bumpoowee

sandco wrote: »

It does say in my original contract he can show people around (worded in such a way as to potential transfer of interest in the property) but has to give me 24hrs notice of this.

Well thats because he's a cowboy. Legally he cannot enter without your express permission. The purpose of paying rent is to have exclusive access to the property, the landlord forgos his right to access to the property in exchange for the money you give him. I believe in a house with multiple tenancies he can access communal areas but not your bedroom.

franklee

If you are worried he's going in there is the uni lock that fits over an internal door handle with no damage to the door, developed by Mathew Price at Bournemouth University, a google should find it.

Also a free standing shed alarm of which there are many to choose from.

Should help keep your room private from viewers you've not agreed to.