Buying house from landlord

MoneySavingUser

I hope I can get some advice here.

I have been looking for a house to buy for a while and haven't really found something suitable. However I love the house I am currently renting.

So I have been thinking about if I can approach the landlord and see if he wishes to sell.

I have the landlord's name and address from the title plan at the land registry. I have never had any dealings with him as the house was rented through an estate agent. I don't want to go through the agent (plus I think they do lettings only) and since I went on a periodic tenancy they have generally ignored me (not doing repairs/inspections etc.).

If you were a landlord how would you feel about such an approach?

How should I do it? Through a solicitor or write to him myself?

Am I more likely to be given notice if I do this as he may want to get a tenant in for the longer term? (Though as I am now periodic he probably already knows I plan to leave at some point).

Any other opinions/comments/advice?

theartfullodger

Does name on land reg match that of landlord on tenancy (landlord does not have to own the place to rent it...)??

Ask them, no way of knowing how he'll react. He might be keen to sell, and it's if nothing else flatering for him regarding the place..

But: He'll likely have some CGT to pay on any profits.. I had a (very good) tenant ask if she could buy her house & I told her that
a) Didn't want to pay the CGT &
b) As I was getting a better return renting it that I would for the same money in a bank I wasn't keen.

Shame, not entirely sure she believed me... (both were entirely true..).

Don't forget a landlord selling a place then buying another now pays (well, from April) 3% stamp duty.. thanks to boy George,.....(reason c not to..)

G_M

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

If you were a landlord how would you feel about such an approach?
I wouldn't mind.
I'd either say:
* yes, make me an offer, or
* no, sorry

How should I do it? Through a solicitor or write to him myself?
* Invite him to tea and bake a cake. Or
* Write a letter

Am I more likely to be given notice if I do this as he may want to get a tenant in for the longer term?
Possible but I don't see why. Why evict a paying tenant, have a void, expense of marketing, on the offchance the next tenant will be as good and stay longer?
(Though as I am now periodic he probably already knows I plan to leave at some point).
Why so - many tenancies continue on a periodic basis for years on end.

Any other opinions/comments/advice?

I think that covers it!

MoneySavingUser

theartfullodger wrote: »

Does name on land reg match that of landlord on tenancy (landlord does not have to own the place to rent it...)??

Ask them, no way of knowing how he'll react. He might be keen to sell, and it's if nothing else flatering for him regarding the place..

But: He'll likely have some CGT to pay on any profits.. I had a (very good) tenant ask if she could buy her house & I told her that
a) Didn't want to pay the CGT &
b) As I was getting a better return renting it that I would for the same money in a bank I wasn't keen.

Shame, not entirely sure she believed me... (both were entirely true..).

Don't forget a landlord selling a place then buying another now pays (well, from April) 3% stamp duty.. thanks to boy George,.....(reason c not to..)

No the name does not match the name on the tenancy agreement.

But.... the name on the tenancy is a company which doesn't exist and an address that doesn't exist.... so I suspect the estate agent just made something up to stop people trying to contact the landlord.

Yes he would have some CGT to pay - on a gain of about £30-40k so assuming he has no other gains and is a higher rate taxpayer that would be about £8,000.

Yes he would pay the extra stamp duty - but they are also restricting relief for finance costs in the future so he may not want to have to deal with that.

G_M

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

No the name does not match the name on the tenancy agreement.

But.... the name on the tenancy is a company which doesn't exist and an address that doesn't exist.... so I suspect the estate agent just made something up to stop people trying to contact the landlord.

.

Try:

Landlord & Tenant Act 1985 S1

Disclosure of landlord’s identity.

(1)If the tenant of premises occupied as a dwelling makes a written request for the landlord’s name and address to—

(a)any person who demands, or the last person who received, rent payable under the tenancy, or

(b)any other person for the time being acting as agent for the landlord, in relation to the tenancy,

that person shall supply the tenant with a written statement of the landlord’s name and address within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which he receives the request.

(2)A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with subsection (1) commits a summary offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

theartfullodger

MoneySavingUser wrote: »

....But.... the name on the tenancy is a company which doesn't exist and an address that doesn't exist.... so I suspect the estate agent just made something up to stop people trying to contact the landlord......

Really?? I'd write to the agent enquiring what is going on then. (yes, WRITE - or email - keep copy). And if company doesn't exist ask them what they have done with the money. So the company name (eg ABC Ltd) is not known to Companies house, either current or dissolved?? One might ask agent for evidence of authority from owner that it is being let by ABC Ltd - but that might p*ss off owner...


If the company really doesn;t exist then there is no landlord who can evict you, either s21 or, say, rent arrears... (actually not sure about that - interesting legal question: See what agent says then ask Shelter 0808 800 4444...)

Anyway that sounds like fraud: See Fraud Act 2006 sections 2, 3 or 4.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/crossheading/fraud
one or several of

section 2 (fraud by false representation),

section 3 (fraud by failing to disclose information), and

section 4 (fraud by abuse of position).

. Criminal charges !! - Each !(Let agent know, gently...)

I wonder if the owner knows?? (Or, worse, maybe the owner is up to no good in conjunction with agent... probably..)

Cheers!