Help - Landlord sending someone to 'measure up'

flis21

Hi All,

Sorry, have got myself in a panic. We have been living in our flat for 18 months now and the landlord is sending someone (although he wouldn't say whom or from where) round this morning to measure the place up.

The only reason I can think of for this is to sell the place. Am really worried as we don't really want to move. We have always paid our rent on time and reported any problems. I feel we have been quite good tennants.

If he is going to sell the place do they have to tell us? And we are in a rolling tenancy, how much notice do they have to give us to vacate? We are going to need to save up a new deposit for a new flat and that can't be done overnight!

asandwhen

The landlord needs to give 2 months notice - It could take a lot longer than that to sell though especially at this time of year - Dont worry too much he may only be taking a loan out on the property and the loan company need to do a valuation.

bap98189

Don't panic yet. He may be planning to sell it, in which case an estate agent will be round to measure the place, but even if that is the case, he has to giveyou at least 2 months notice of eviction. If he is selling he will probably not ask you to leave at all as a property with a sitting tennant can be worth more to a prospective BTL buyer. In that case, the tennancy agreement will simply transfer over to the new owner.

However, it may not be a sale. We has something similar a few months ago and thought the worst. Turned out it was just an insurance agent doing an inspection of the property as the landlord had changed his building's insurance. You will find out who they are when they come to "measure up". Alternatively, why not phone the landlord, be straight with him, and ask if he is planning to sell the place.

Alan_M_2

I was in a similar position two years ago, the owner agreed a sale to a BTL investor with me as a sitting tennant so it didn't effect me in the slightest.

By pure coincidence the new investor happened to be one of my customers.

Still from the first person coming round to measure up it was the best part of 9 months until the sale was agreed. This is the downside of renting, it's lack of permanence.

Ali120604

It will take time before things so moving but the chances are it will be an estate agent or valuer "measuring up". The rolling tenancy can end if he gives you 4 weeks notice although he will probably give you a bit more. He could be getting the place valued to determine if he should re-mortgage in which case it doesn't affect you at all! Don't panic before you know the full picture.

space_rider

Same thing happened to a friend of mine but it was just a valuation for remortgage

flis21

Thanks for all the helpful posts. I quizzed the guy when he turned up, but he was actually measuring every flat in the entire block, something to do with the land registry needing the information!! Anyway, doesn't look like our landlord is selling, so am really happy now.

Thanks,
Flis