Landlord wants to sell early in tennancy

Moot

Sorry to bump an old thread, but we have finally received a reply from our LL. It says that they still intend to sell despite us saying we would be very unhappy with viewings.

The proposal is that the house goes on the market from May till August and we receive £20 per week it is on the market with 2 viewing days per week.

I am now even more annoyed, I stated in my note to the LL that we would not want anyone coming around whilst we were out. Which LL is ignoring.

LL is also ignoring the fact that I said that our last communication that we have a child who comes first and we work long hours, so we want our spare time to be dedicated to our child, not waiting around for someone to view the property.

Up until this last contact my opinion of my LL has been O.K. However I am now starting to feel annoyed. I also feel the LL was not entirely honest with us when we took our 12 month lease.

If the intention was to sell at 6 months why offer us a 12 month lease and not a 6 month one. When we made an offer for the house the discussion was that the LL would like to sell but probably not until May 2013, that has now changed to May 2012. I wonder if this was the LL's intention all along for maximum security for them. Get renters in on a 12 month lease with the funds that brings in and then try sell and at the halfway point.

We are really unhappy with this and certainly do not need the stress right now. Whilst I'm not really a confrontational person. I do intend to change the locks to give us some peace of mind.

If anyone has any useful advice then it would be appreciated.

chris_m

Moot wrote: »

Sorry to bump an old thread,

No need to apologise, it's an update to your thread after all

Tell the landlord when is acceptable to you for viewings to take place (maybe 1 or 2 specified evenings a week, maybe a weekend morning or afternoon) and change the locks, as you've said you will be doing.

Don't let them bully you into doing what they want, it's your home not theirs.

G_M

The LL has made you an offer: £20 pw for 2 viewings.

You accept this, or decline it, or make a ounter-offer.

How about £30, for 2 viewings pw at pre-arranged days/times? ie on Tuesdays betwen 6-7 plus Saterday AM (or whatever).

Make clear whether the payment is dependant on viewings actually taking place, or on your making the property, and yourself, available for viewings.

Try to reach a compromise.

Moot

If we were to try and come to a compromise over viewings it would be very difficult. Weekday evenings are a non-starter as it's our daughters bed time, she is a very poor sleeper and I don't want people wandering around during that time making matters worse.

This leaves Saturdays. As I mentioned before I don't really want to give up my Saturdays with the family, when I and my partner work such long hours during the week.

I can't really see any area for compromise as our weekdays and weekends are so busy.

jjlandlord

Moot wrote: »

This leaves Saturdays. As I mentioned before I don't really want to give up my Saturdays with the family, when I and my partner work such long hours during the week.

Do you spend all of your saturdays at home?
If not you could agree to visits while you and your family are enjoying the weekend outside.

If you can't find any time during the week and the weekend for people to come in and view the property, to me that just means that you have decided that you do not want any visit

Moot

jjlandlord wrote: »

Do you spend all of your saturdays at home?
If not you could agree to visits while you and your family are enjoying the weekend outside.

If you can't find any time during the week and the weekend for people to come in and view the property, to me that just means that you have decided that you do not want any visit

As we are barely half-way through the tenancy, then your right, no I don't want any viewings. Why would I? I am trying to be practical and look at if there are any options.

I also don't want people wandering round our personal possessions while we are out. Again, why would I?

kev225

I don't think you're being unreasonable at all by refusing to allow viewings.

The LL is playing a greedy game, causing you stress and aggravation from which only she will profit.

Stick to your guns, change the locks and play the awkward tenants game. £20 a week is an insult, you might consider using your position to really make this pay.

Either way, you pay the rent, its your space, you make the rules.

franklee

jjlandlord wrote: »

If you can't find any time during the week and the weekend for people to come in and view the property, to me that just means that you have decided that you do not want any visit

Even if that's so it's reasonable only six months into as 12 month tenancy. Frankly I think viewings in the last month or maybe the last two months are reasonable but any longer gets disruptive. Who would want to put up with at least six months of viewings, not to mention moving after just one year when led to believe there would be two and on top of having hassle on the last place for the same reason. Really letting and selling do not mix and a landlord should not expect to have their cake (rental income) and eat it (viewings for a sale when the tenant is perfectly good).

BitterAndTwisted

In which case Moot just write and tell them that you are unwilling for any viewings whatsoever to take place until the last month of your AST at the earliest. Tell them you might review the situation in x month and will let them know of your decision in writing. Until that time you do not intend to discuss it further with them. End of. Goodbye.

I sincerely hope you've changed the barrels of the locks by now. Pop back when you get a narky phone call or email from them after they have tried to enter while you were out and found that they couldn't.

jjlandlord

Moot wrote: »

As we are barely half-way through the tenancy, then your right, no I don't want any viewings. Why would I? I am trying to be practical and look at if there are any options.

I also don't want people wandering round our personal possessions while we are out. Again, why would I?

Discussion closed, then. No need to ask for "more advice".

Tell your landlord that, and change the locks if necessary as advised.