Landlord is selling our house :0/

claireac

So we'll be moving out when the lease expires in June, we won't have to go before then will we?

The LA phoned dh earlier to tell him and to ask if we want to buy it, which we would but don't have enough for a deposit at the moment.

So LA wants to arrange a meeting with us to discuss what's going to happen. She's already mentioned that the house needs to be spotless all the time :eek:. I'm not convinced on that score tbh. I'm worried that an ea is going to be given a key and free access, which isn't what happend when we sold our own house!

What rights do we have??

DVardysShadow

You will not need to leave until the lease expires - and you would need to receive a section 21 notice in good time - at least 2 months before the end date. You do not have to permit viewings and you don't have to keep the house in any particular state. Change locks if the LL or LA get too pushy.

claireac

Thank you.

I thought as much, but needed it confirmed for my own peace of mind!

I'm happy to do viewings (or get out of the way for ea), but at a time that's convenient. I'm not trying to be awkward but dh and I both work and we have a 4yr old, so it's not always spotless!

I don't want to upset LA too much as dh is a roofer and does some work for her.

G_M

Find a balance between your rights (you can if you wish refuse all access and all viewings), and being cooperative. Allowing the agents unrestricted access whenever they want is obviously the opposite extreme.

I'd suggest you offer them specific times (say, Saturday mornings, and/or one or two specific evenings a week - whatever is convenient for YOU) when they can bring people round - provided they give you warning (2 hours notice by phone? 24 hours? whatever you want.)

So be cooperative, but don't get bullied into too much inconvenience. This is your home and you have rights.

Regarding tidying/cleaning, again, you have the right to live how you like. You don't have to tidy OR clean. But again, be cooperative if you can. Assuming you've agreed times and notice periods, you can shove the kids dirty clothes out of sight for these periods!

If you have any doubts that they may not keep to the access you specify, change the locks. You have a right to privacy and 'quiet enjoyment'. £5 for a new lock barrel. Keep the old one to put back when you leave.

Lease? You can not be told to leave (though you can be asked) before your fixed term is up. And even then the LL needs a court order if you refuse.

G_M

ps - whatever you agree with them about access etc, get it in writing. Send them a letter the next day
"Thank you for visiting to go over the sale procedure etc etc.
As we discussed, we are happy to cooperate as far as possible with viewings on (Mondays between 6 pm and 7.30 pm, and Fridays xxxxx).

Please note that as discussed we also require advance notice of any viewings, of at least X hours, which we will always try to agree to, but be aware there might be times when we are unable to agree.

Kindly confirm receipt of these agreements by return of post"

claireac

Excellent idea!

Thank you very much for your advice. Freaked me out a bit earlier tbh lol.

RecoveringAlcoholic

She's already mentioned that the house needs to be spotless all the time

I would tell her to get lost.




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G_M

RecoveringAlcoholic wrote: »

I would tell her to get lost.




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Perhaps you would. And certainly you have the legal right to do so.

But many (I hope most) people would take a more diplomatic approach, not just in their dealings with landlords, but with others in general.

martindow

RecoveringAlcoholic wrote: »

I would tell her to get lost.
.

And certainly not a good idea if you might need to get a reference from them.