Landlord sold flat

MarySumm

My landlord has just told me (by text) he's sold my flat to a family member who wants to move in in the next couple of weeks! I had no idea he was even thinking of selling. Although he said that as I've been a good tenant maybe he'll let me stay for a week or 2 longer if i don't find somewhere else to live straightaway!

Am I right in thinking he should give me 2 months notice? Who is my landlord now?

Also over the past couple of weeks there's been evidence of him entering my flat without letting me know. I'm now worried that this will be more frequent now there's a new owner and they want me out.

It seems a nightmare. How do I let him know he can't just ask me to leave like this and invade my privacy whilst also ensuring I get a good reference for a new place. I've just started a new job so am not expecting it to be easy.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Slithery

The fact that your landlord has sold the property makes no difference to you as a tenant (except that the new owner is now your landlord).

Read the following link to see how a tenancy can be ended...
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=67759913&postcount=4
but assuming you are no longer in a fixed term then your new landlord has to give 2 months notice by serving you with a valid S21 - this doesn't mean you have to leave after 2 months, just that the landlord can then go to court and ask them to end the tenancy.

Change your locks if you believe someone will try to gain unauthorised access.

Also keep hold of any future rent payments until you have written confirmation from your new landlord as to how and where they want paying.

stator

Definitely change the locks, it's very easy to do in most cases you can do it yourself!

In most cases the landlord must give you proper notice so two weeks wouldn't be sufficient.

Are you a proper tenant? Definitely not a lodger?
Has the landlord ever lived in the flat?
Do you have the details of the new landlord?

Contact the Shelter helpline if you need advice.

Cakeguts

It doesn't work the way he thinks it does. Just because he has sold the flat doesn't make any difference to you except that you now have a new landlord.

I would suggest that you change the locks as quickly as possible. You landlord has to give you 2 months notice if you are on a periodic tenancy.

Change the locks first before you let him know about how he has to end your tenancy correctly.

csgohan4

start to find somewhere else to live too. Did the LL protect your deposit ? Do you pay the LL cash in hand??

AnotherJoe

Change the locks. keep the old barrels. If that's beyond you, given the situation, it will still be worth spending £75 or so to pay someone to do it.

Start looking for another property and as said understand that you need not move out for months yet. You could induce your LL to get you to move earlier if he paid you as an incentive (and gave deposit back) talking of which, has LL protected your deposit ? Given his behaviour so far it seems likely he hasn't which gives you more leverage, for a start until he has no eviction notice is legal.

paddedjohn

Does the new owner now realise that they are a landlord with all the responsibility that goes with it.

Pixie5740

MarySumm wrote: »

My landlord has just told me (by text) he's sold my flat to a family member who wants to move in in the next couple of weeks! I had no idea he was even thinking of selling. Although he said that as I've been a good tenant maybe he'll let me stay for a week or 2 longer if i don't find somewhere else to live straightaway!

How awfully generous of him. What a buffoon! :rotfl:

MarySumm wrote: »

Am I right in thinking he should give me 2 months notice? Who is my landlord now?

Your landlord is the new owner. Whether the new owner knows this or not is another matter. Your landlord is not required to give you any notice when they sell the place as your tenancy continues just the same as before except you have a new landlord.

See G_M's guide to Ending & Renewing an AST for information on how and when as AST can be ended.

If you have a rent payment due soon keep the money aside until it can be established which account the money should be paid to.

MarySumm wrote: »

Also over the past couple of weeks there's been evidence of him entering my flat without letting me know. I'm now worried that this will be more frequent now there's a new owner and they want me out.

Change the barrels of the locks.

MarySumm wrote: »

It seems a nightmare. How do I let him know he can't just ask me to leave like this and invade my privacy whilst also ensuring I get a good reference for a new place. I've just started a new job so am not expecting it to be easy.

Contact your (former) landlord telling him that your tenancy has not ended just because he has sold the place. You might also want to contact Shelter for advice.

shortcrust

Give them both a reality check today. Change the locks then contact the old landlord asking for the contact details of the new landlord. Don't enter into any discussion with the old landlord. The penny will drop!

AndyBSG

Does the new owner of teh flat know he/she is now a landlord and, more importantly, does he/she know he has purchased a property that does not come with vacant possession?

If he/she has purchased using a mortgage does his mortgage provider know there is a live in tenant? I would guess the answer is no or they would never have granted a mortgage!

theartfullodger

shortcrust wrote: »

Give them both a reality check today. Change the locks then contact the old landlord asking for the contact details of the new landlord. Don't enter into any discussion with the old landlord. The penny will drop!

Actually you kinda don't want details of new owner (who isn't entirely new landlord until he does things..).

New landlord needs to serve notice(s) complying with s48 & s3, without which....
a) (s48) No rent is due (Oh!>.. err, yes, but it becomes due when new owner gives you name & an address in England or Wales..).
b) (s3) If new owner fails to provide details of his ACTUAL address (wherever in the world, not just "an" address in England or Wales) then he may be liable to fine & criminal record.
- he ain;t fully the new landlord.. (it's complicated...)
See...

Be calm, polite etc with new owner but firm. I would want to see land registry document proof he is actually new owner - it could just be a scam to move you out & rent to family member... Might be worth warning local police station there may be an illegal eviction possible, also a criminal offence. If new owner wants to talk then perhaps agree, but only somewhere public (eg local cafe ), with a witness. New owner may simply be ignorant of the law (no excuse, but a reason, for stupidity....)

Keep Shelter helpline 0808 800 4444 handy - open 8-8 Mon-Fri, 9-5 all other days including Xmas day - in case things kick off ...

See
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?56800-Change-of-landlord-do-I-need-to-serve-tenants-a-notice