Renting a property in probate (that I’m also buying!)

Martyfine

Hi,
Desperately need some advice please. I am in the middle of a divorce and selling the marital home where my ex and I still live. We’ve sold and are fairly close to exchange, we’ve both found respective properties - quite straightforward right.....? Wrong! The lady whose house I am purchasing suddenly died last week which has left me in a panic. Firstly I know probate will need to be applied for but her EA doesn’t know whether a Will has been left however I do know that she only has one son and was moving to be closer to him.

My EA has already found out that the lady died and has applied lots of pressure on me saying that the ‘chain won’t wait’. Not quite what I wanted to hear but can understand. I am now thinking that I will have to rent short term until this has been sorted however my question is this- do you think it would be sensible to ask to rent the property from her son whilst probate is sorted? I’m sort of worried that if I do ask and he agrees that he might drag things on if he’s getting an income and I’m paying bills but on the other hand, it will save me having to move twice etc. I will not to anything to the house whilst renting- what are your thoughts/opinions

Thank you - as if divorce isn’t hard enough

davidmcn

Sellers are generally considered mad if they let a potential buyer move in early. All sorts of complications involved in becoming a landlord, and if he doesn't yet have the right to sell then he doesn't have the right to let it to you either. You'd be best to find somewhere else to rent.

PasturesNew

Just go AirBNB, you can get some really cheap rates if you rent 1-3 months, say.... it's the easiest way for you under the circumstances.

Easy in/easy out, nothing in your name, no contracts/obligations.

Go in on a 1-2 month booking and speak to them about your situation on the basis you'll be wanting to stay "until I buy this house and will then give you a couple of weeks' notice".

For the record: I am selling my house and have nowhere to go to. I expect to exchange this month if it all goes ahead.... and I'll have no plans. I'm going AirBNB.... it's flexible and gives you breathing space to make the correct next move.

markin

If it saves the sale im sure you can put up with your ex for 6 months more.

Soundgirlrocks

Agree with the what other have said to a degree, either find another property or find a short term rental. The family will have a lot to sort out and are grieving, even if they want to proceed and can get the paperwork sorted its probably going to be a 4 weeks plus before they even think about it. They will have a funeral to arrange first!

Have you considered they might not want to sell?

Martyfine

Thank you for the advice pasturesnew re Airbnb- didn’t think of that. In answer to the other replies, wish it was as easy as putting up with my ex for 6 months- don’t forget he has a chain depending on him too, a split chain is never easy anyway so waiting isn’t an option.

The lady’s EA had informed me that her son still wishes to go ahead with the sale but I can se that renting short term elsewhere will be the right way to go- I will keep my options open and start to look again. Thank you everyone