Landlord selling the house we rent

MarkP1970

Hi, new to this forum, so please excuse me if I waffle on!!

13 months ago, my partner and I signed a 2 year tenancy agreement, unfortunately there was a break out clause (which we were assured verbally, that wouldn't be activated). However sure enough on the first working day following our 1 year anniversary the owners activated the clause, so we have to move.

We've been asked to allow access to an Estate Agent to value the property, which we have agreed to and my partner will be present and I've found out today that another 2 Estate Agents will be requested to value to property, again we've said not a problem and please advise dates and times and we'll be available, all fine so far.

My issue is the photographs that will have to be taken at some stage to market the property, we are preparing to move and have stuff everywhere while is being packed or thrown away. We both work full time and have 9 and 1 year old boys and also it's the school holidays. The house is a complete mess to be honest, so were do I stand with photographs being taken, is it now my responsibility to ensure that the house is in a marketable condition?

I don't want to be difficult and I don't want to breach my tenancy agreement and I know the owners need to sell the property desperately as they need the money to pay for private medical treatment, so I don't really want to cause them any further stress. But I'm not very happy about not only having to move, but move in a manner that leaves the house in a presentable fashion. And have our belongings in the photographs which will go public.Or am I just being awkward?

Chappers27

I wouldn't give a stuff about the photos. You need to worry about where you're going to live. It's not your responsibility to worry about the marketing aspects of the house. You pay the rent, you can have furniture however you like. Of course, when you leave, the house must be as you entered it.

saajan_12

MarkP1970 wrote: »

Hi, new to this forum, so please excuse me if I waffle on!!

13 months ago, my partner and I signed a 2 year tenancy agreement, unfortunately there was a break out clause (which we were assured verbally, that wouldn't be activated)-
why would you trust this, if they weren't going to activate the clause, they could have removed it. Otherwise, it's fair game.
. However sure enough on the first working day following our 1 year anniversary the owners activated the clause, so we have to move. - technically you have a couple of months by the time their notice expires, they apply for a possession order and bailiffs arrive, but practically you'll be out before the 2 years is up and be liable for costs, so better to just move more calmly now.


We've been asked to allow access to an Estate Agent to value the property, which we have agreed to and my partner will be present and I've found out today that another 2 Estate Agents will be requested to value to property, again we've said not a problem and please advise dates and times and we'll be available, all fine so far.- depending on the clause in your contract, typically you just have to allow access. If you're happy for them to visit when you're out / busy, then you likely don't have to wait in.

My issue is the photographs that will have to be taken at some stage to market the property, we are preparing to move and have stuff everywhere while is being packed or thrown away. We both work full time and have 9 and 1 year old boys and also it's the school holidays. The house is a complete mess to be honest, - fair enough so were do I stand with photographs being taken, is it now my responsibility to ensure that the house is in a marketable condition?- no,
you have to allow them access but can leave it in a mess / however you naturally keep it while moving.

I don't want to be difficult and I don't want to breach my tenancy agreement and I know the owners need to sell the property desperately as they need the money to pay for private medical treatment, so I don't really want to cause them any further stress. - good, hopefully everyone is accommodating
But I'm not very happy about not only having to move, but move in a manner that leaves the house in a presentable fashion. - you don't have to And have our belongings in the photographs which will go public. Here I don't agree with you. IF the tenancy agreement gives them access to market the property, then that involves taking pictures. They shoudl remove / block out anything personal from pictures (e.g. paperwork lying around, your number plate, but your household belongings don't rise to that standard.
Or am I just being awkward?

Don't worry about the pictures - they don't have to be super presentable but also don't worry about your stuff being in them, none of the viewers will care.

Just keep things amicable with viewings, and permit access when not super inconvenient, but focus on finding your new place / moving.

volare11512

I was in the same position as you earlier this year when my LL wanted to sell. I find it is best to agree viewings for 2 hours once a week. If a buyer is interested then they will make time and an estate agent is more likely to block book because their time is money, plus you also won't be wasting time if there are no shows.

I was also asked if they could come around and take pictures. I refused as I do not want my possessions placed on the internet when it is no benefit to me. The LL should have photos from previous marketing and should use those.

45002

technically you have a couple of months by the time their notice expires

technically !

https://forums.landlordzone.co.uk/forum/residential-letting-questions/77351-time-to-repossess-statistics?75530-Time-to-repossess-statistics=



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Old_Git

is it possiable for the landlord to sell to another landlord and you stay .

G_M

The photos are ot your problem.

But you could use them as a bargaining tool eg

"yes, we'll make a real effort and tidy the house for the photos. Yes, we'll keep the property tidy for viewings, and yes, we'll cooperate over access for viewings - but in return you(landlord) will doubtless be happy to accept half rent from now on and /or allow us to leave at any date we wish as soon as we find somewhere and/or give us 3 months notice and/or whatever else you want to ask for.

Whatever you and LL agree, get confirmed in writing. If LL won't negotiate anything, then don't cooperate in return!

franklee

I sympathise, it's tough having to move unexpectedly - you will have a lot to do and therefore it's understandable the house will be chaos during packing. What I did was politely suggest the landlord would be better off using the pictures he used to market the house for renting. They showed the property empty and thus tidy. I wonder why all landlords don't take photos in the lull between tenancies so they always have some nice photos ready to use.

cjmillsnun

I've been there twice. The first time, we were preparing to move anyway, and the agents got nice photos. The second time, the EA was the same firm as the LA. They told me just to move personal stuff (letters, photos, etc) that I didn't want in the photos and not worry about mess, they'd work round it. They did just that and treated me fairly.

You have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property and they have the right to viewings etc with reasonable notice (normally not less than 24 hours!)

45002

cjmillsnun wrote:

I've been there twice. The first time, we were preparing to move anyway, and the agents got nice photos. The second time, the EA was the same firm as the LA. They told me just to move personal stuff (letters, photos, etc) that I didn't want in the photos and not worry about mess, they'd work round it. They did just that and treated me fairly.

You have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property and they have the right to viewings etc with reasonable notice (normally not less than 24 hours!)

There nothing in housing law saying you have to allow viewings or let a EA in, unless it stated in a tenancy agreement you have too.



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csgohan4

45002 wrote: »

There nothing in housing law saying you have to allow viewings or let a EA in, unless it stated in a tenancy agreement you have too.



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There's nothing in housing law to give a good LL reference either, so it goes both ways. Try and work with the LL where possible.