Concerns about rental house

louiseg0151

My fiance and I signed the tenancy for our rental house last week and will be moving in 2 weeks time.

However, when we saw the house, we noticed it was also up for sale. When we asked the agents about this, they told us that when tenants move out, they put the house up for sale and to let at the same time and we should not be concerned about it. We made it very clear that we wanted a long term let and were told we could have a contract for as long as we like.

Since submitting the application, the property on the agents 'Rentals' section has had 'Under Offer' accross the picture, however the listing on the 'For Sale' section has remained untouched.

Is it possible that we've been shafted and the landlord just wants tenants while he's trying to sell the house or could there be a genuine reason as to why the house is still listed as being for sale?

JanCee

If you are looking for a long term rental then I wouldn't think this was the house for you. The idea that a LL would put a house up for sale everytime the tenants left is just ridiculous. There are pleny of LLs that would love long term tenants so go back to the agents and renegotiate.

I have rented a house that was also up for sale and I have to say that I never felt settled there.

TrickyDicky

Standard ASTs are for 6-12 months. The LL cannot kick you out during this time (unless you fail to pay the rent or do some serious damage). After that period they only have to give you 2 months notice.

I doubt anyone would buy it with tenants in situ. Sounds like you'll have at least 6 months living there.

louiseg0151

JanCee wrote: »

If you are looking for a long term rental then I wouldn't think this was the house for you. The idea that a LL would put a house up for sale everytime the tenants left is just ridiculous. There are pleny of LLs that would love long term tenants so go back to the agents and renegotiate.

I have rented a house that was also up for sale and I have to say that I never felt settled there.

TrickyDicky wrote: »

Standard ASTs are for 6-12 months. The LL cannot kick you out during this time (unless you fail to pay the rent or do some serious damage). After that period they only have to give you 2 months notice.

I doubt anyone would buy it with tenants in situ. Sounds like you'll have at least 6 months living there.

Thanks. Our tenancy agreement is for 6 months but as I say, we specifically made it clear that we wanted the house long term and the letting agency said that once the 6 month tenancy ended we could have a contract for "as long as we like". Now I'm concerned that that won't be the case.

sooz

The agent clearly lied. The 'for sale' advert should have been enough of a warning to you. It is very likely that you will have the very same agent 'telling' you about potential sale viewings not long after you move in.

Do you have anything from the agent in writing that the house is no longer for sale? If s/he refuses to do this for you, I'd look at another property now if you are adamant that you want a long term rental. This one is unlikely to be renewed if the landlord is serious about trying to sell it.

louiseg0151

sooz wrote: »

The agent clearly lied. The 'for sale' advert should have been enough of a warning to you. It is very likely that you will have the very same agent 'telling' you about potential sale viewings not long after you move in.

Do you have anything from the agent in writing that the house is no longer for sale? If s/he refuses to do this for you, I'd look at another property now if you are adamant that you want a long term rental. This one is unlikely to be renewed if the landlord is serious about trying to sell it.

Thanks and while I agree with what you're saying, there's no point in looking for a new house yet because we've only just started a 6 month tenancy. Unfortunately, no we don't have anything saying that the house is no longer for sale.

Yes, the fact that the house was for sale was a warning bell but unfortunately we (maybe foolishly) trusted the letting agency when they said we could have as long a tenancy as we'd like.

neneromanova

Why not ring up the EA and pretend to be someone looking for a house and say you'd seen so and so house for sale and wondered if it was still available.

louiseg0151

neneromanova wrote: »

Why not ring up the EA and pretend to be someone looking for a house and say you'd seen so and so house for sale and wondered if it was still available.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have actually emailed them from someone elses email account to ask if the house i still for sale (thinking I'd then have it in writing so could maybe negotiate a deal if we're to be expected to let potential buyers view the property).

louiseg0151

Well...I got an email back to my enquiry but now I am really annoyed. The reply stated that they have a key to the property and can arrange a viewing during office hours or on a Saturday. Can they do this?

They've followed that email up with:
The property xxxxxx. has just been let out again for 6 months. The property is still on the market for sale but will not be available to view for the next 5 months.
Regards

TrickyDicky

Up until you move in, they can go in when they want.

After that, they have to give you 24 hours written notice before any entry, and you have every right to refuse, though you maybe should try and accomodate them. Maybe say any viewings have to be on a wednesday 6-7 and thats it!

Otherwise, if you're worried they might come in - you have every right to change the locks, aslong as you keep the origional ones and replace them back when you leave.

louiseg0151

Ok, a connected question. The property currently has a sign up outside. Half of the sign says 'Let By' and the other side says 'For Sale'. Can we take this sign down for the period of our tenancy?