Land Lady sells house we are renting without us knowing.

wickedchef123

We had a phone call from a property developer the other day and he said I have purchased your house that we are renting. We have been in this house for 3 years and we have never met the landlady, Surely as tenants she should have told us that the house was for sale? And now we dont know where we stand. I have asked the gentleman and he just said i will look at your tenancy agreement which was only for 6 months. He has asked for a Energy report to be done on the property.
Can anyone help have we got any rights as tenants?

Thankyou for any help.

Pixie5740

Can you confirm where the property is as there are different laws depending whether you're in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England or Wales.

Have you heard anything from your LL at all? Have you tried contacting your (former) LL to find out what's going on?

terryw

The landlord can sell the property but the tenancy continues. It looks as though you are on a statutory tenancy now.

You have the right under the quiet enjoyment rules to refuse entry for the energy report but this might not be in your best interests. It would also be a good idea to request written confirmation from the old owner that the property has been sold, and details of new bank account etc for payment of rent.

wickedchef123

The property is in england. I have tried to ring the landlady no response, I have sent a text and still no reply. All that we did know in december her husband came to do a repair and he said the property is now owned by 2 people.

AdrianC

Your tenancy is on exactly the same basis as it was, except that the landlord's changed. No, there's no requirement that they inform you.

If he wants to check the EPC, then that suggests he's considering improvements to the place - which will benefit you, should you stay there. If you were on a statutory periodic, then the new landlord needs to give you the same two month's notice if he wants you to leave as the old landlady did.

maninthestreet

So who are you now paying rent to? Is there a letting agency involved?

DRP

maninthestreet wrote: »

So who are you now paying rent to? Is there a letting agency involved?

^this

make sure you are paying rent to the correct person!

wickedchef123

Landlady has just texted and said it was not on the market. The person who rang me provides finance so the house is part of a seperate arrangement.

Pixie5740

Unless you get something official through (from a solicitor for example) just keep paying your rent the same way you always have been.

franklee

AdrianC wrote: »

Your tenancy is on exactly the same basis as it was, except that the landlord's changed. No, there's no requirement that they inform you.

If he wants to check the EPC, then that suggests he's considering improvements to the place - which will benefit you, should you stay there. If you were on a statutory periodic, then the new landlord needs to give you the same two month's notice if he wants you to leave as the old landlady did.

Seriously? You'd pay rent money to some chancer on the phone who tells you he's a new landlord and not only that let him into the property?

OP, If in England and Wales, there is a requirement you are notified within two months of purchase:
http://www.ellis-fermor.co.uk/2014/01/landlord-tenant-giving-notice-just-letter/
"However, there is one important requirement which is often overlooked, even by solicitors. Under Section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, if the landlord’s interest is transferred, the buyer must notify the tenant in writing of the transfer. The notice must include the new landlord’s name and address, and there is a deadline of two months after the date of purchase in most cases. The notice must be given even if the previous landlord has already sent a similar notice to the tenant.

It is a criminal offence for the buyer not to comply with this requirement and the legislation sets out a maximum penalty of £2,500.".

Note that rent is not due unless you have and address for the serving of notice in England and Wales. So if in doubt put the rent aside until you get written confirmation of your landlord's name and address for service of notices.

AdrianC

franklee wrote: »

Seriously? You'd pay rent money to some chancer on the phone who tells you he's a new landlord and not only that let him into the property?

OP, If in England and Wales, there is a requirement you are notified within two months of purchase:
http://www.ellis-fermor.co.uk/2014/01/landlord-tenant-giving-notice-just-letter/
"However, there is one important requirement which is often overlooked, even by solicitors. Under Section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, if the landlord’s interest is transferred, the buyer must notify the tenant in writing of the transfer. The notice must include the new landlord’s name and address, and there is a deadline of two months after the date of purchase in most cases. The notice must be given even if the previous landlord has already sent a similar notice to the tenant.

It is a criminal offence for the buyer not to comply with this requirement and the legislation sets out a maximum penalty of £2,500.".

<sigh> Obviously, the phone call needs to be backed up in writing, but that apart I'd love for you to explain the difference between the new landlord complying with that legal requirement, and "some chancer"...