Long term renter...

ltrent

Hi, I have been renting a house for over 10 years, I last signed an assured shorthold tenancy agreement 9 years ago but nothing since then.

I rent through an agency, but my actual landlord recently contacted me informing me that they are planning on selling the house in a few months and have offered me first refusal on the house.

At the moment the house has not been valued at all, I am trying to confirm if as a long term renter I am entitled to a discount on the house value at all or anything else I should be aware of - I only ask because someone mentioned that I would be but someone else said that's not true.

Thanks in advance.

silvercar

You are not entitled to a discount. There is no harm in asking as the landlord would have the benefit of having rent income until the day of completion and not having estate agent fees or having to arrange for you to move out before the contracts are exchanged/ completed which always carries a risk or vacant time for landlord sellers.

Jowo_2

The Shelter website has a tenancy checker wizard where you can check your tenancy status.

To me, it looks like you are a periodic assured shorthold tenancy and do not get any extra rights since the housing legislation changed over a decade ago.

As far as I know, you are entitled to 2 months notice from the landlord to quit the property, its expiry timed with the rental period, and I'm not aware that the landlord has any obligation to offer it to you at a discount.

The fact that you moved in 9 years ago makes no difference at all - the type of agreement you had then is the type of agreement issued now and confers no advantages however long you stay there. You could stay there another 9 years and it would have no impact.

Assured, or regulated tenancies, which were offered much further back in the past than your tenancy, do have extra rights.

ltrent

Thanks for the reply and the good points, I shall get some figures together and have a chat I think.