Approaching our landlord with an offer to buy - acceptable?

AbbyW1

need_an_answer wrote: »

No harm in asking but be aware the answer could be a straight no thanks

Yes no problem if she doesn't want to sell (although I'm sure she doesn't care what we think of her!) - like I said in my opening post we have no indication that she does, just thought it might be worth a try as the right property hasn't come along in the last couple of months.

My main concern is that you wouldn't, as a landlord, be offended by being asked, or decide to end the tenancy if you were aware that we were soon going to be looking to do the same etc - it doesn't sound like you, and others on this thread, think it's a terrible idea though.

AbbyW1

hazyjo wrote: »

Nah, not timewasting. Feel free to ask anything, but sometimes people will refer you to old posts simply cos they get asked regularly and the info's already there. You're not to know

Thanks hazyjo!

hazyjo

AbbyW1 wrote: »

My main concern is that you wouldn't, as a landlord, be offended by being asked, or decide to end the tenancy if you were aware that we were soon going to be looking to do the same etc - it doesn't sound like you, and others on this thread, think it's a terrible idea though.

Can't see anyone being offended at being asked, but have seen warnings here of you risking your LL serving notice as they know their tenants are looking/leaving. tbh I can't see what they'd gain by getting you out when they choose rather than when you choose, so I'd be inclined to still ask. Worth the risk - I should imagine most wouldn't give you the boot, but I'm only assuming!

need_an_answer

AbbyW1 wrote: »

Yes no problem if she doesn't want to sell (although I'm sure she doesn't care what we think of her!) - like I said in my opening post we have no indication that she does, just thought it might be worth a try as the right property hasn't come along in the last couple of months.

My main concern is that you wouldn't, as a landlord, be offended by being asked, or decide to end the tenancy if you were aware that we were soon going to be looking to do the same etc - it doesn't sound like you, and others on this thread, think it's a terrible idea though.

Every LL is different,I'm afraid there is no set pattern or rule they need to adhere to when renting their property...sadly some may find your suggestion unsettling and it could upset the harmony of the tenant/LL "relationship" but that's the risk you take.

I would suggest though that you don't spend too long constructing a letter...keep it simple and to the point.

As I said earlier,most LL's wont take long in making their decision if they don't already know what response they would give.
I wouldn't want to inflate the hope of any of my tenants and like I said previously don't be put off buying something else if the response come back as a simple

"thank you for your letter,however at present I have no plans to sell the property"

good luck with the search for your onward home.

I was once approached by a set of tenants who wrote a very long letter explaining why they liked the property and wanted to know "if they rented it for a period of time would I then consider the sale of it to them"....my answer was a concise no and they handed in their notice soon after.

theartfullodger

If there's no address in England or Wales for the landlord then no rent is due. Do you can stop paying rent!

Landlord may not wish to sell as CGT is probably due

AbbyW1

theartfullodger wrote: »

If there's no address in England or Wales for the landlord then no rent is due. Do you can stop paying rent!

Landlord may not wish to sell as CGT is probably due

Sadly, there's an address for the letting agent rather than for the landlord themselves...which I think means rent is indeed due?! But god, wouldn't that have been nice...!

AbbyW1

hazyjo wrote: »

Can't see anyone being offended at being asked, but have seen warnings here of you risking your LL serving notice as they know their tenants are looking/leaving. tbh I can't see what they'd gain by getting you out when they choose rather than when you choose, so I'd be inclined to still ask. Worth the risk - I should imagine most wouldn't give you the boot, but I'm only assuming!

It really would be worst case scenario to get a 'no' on buying and being served notice within the same day...I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed and see if we can get the landlord's email. I agree - I don't see what she'd gain by kicking us out after we've been there, reliably paying rent for 3 years. Keeping everything crossed!

lurkylurky

My Dad’s tenant asked us how much he paid for the apartment last year when we were there sorting out a leak from next door. I’m half expecting him to ask if Dad is interested in selling. Dad’s not interested but wouldn’t be offended. He has been a brilliant tenant.

You could put a note through all the apartments that you like the look of asking if they’re interested in selling. Friends of ours did this 30 years ago and are still living in the house they bought.

[Deleted User]

You've nothing to lose by asking, providing you approach it in a polite manner and expect to pay the market value

AbbyW1 wrote: »

At the moment we’re planning to wait for the right flat to come on the market but obviously that may take a while, especially given that the market where we live is fairly slow. Some of the other flats on the market in our estate have been on for upwards of 9 months

Are you sure you want to jump into this purchase with the market being as slow as you say? When it comes to you wanting to sell up (I assume eventually you will want to upsize from a flat?), you could also have your property sitting on the market for months on end.

AbbyW1

lurkylurky wrote: »

My Dad’s tenant asked us how much he paid for the apartment last year when we were there sorting out a leak from next door. I’m half expecting him to ask if Dad is interested in selling. Dad’s not interested but wouldn’t be offended. He has been a brilliant tenant.

You could put a note through all the apartments that you like the look of asking if they’re interested in selling. Friends of ours did this 30 years ago and are still living in the house they bought.

As long as he wouldn't be offended, that's the main thing! Probably a testament to your dad keeping the place nice as well

The note thing is a great idea - the only issue being that many of our neighbours are renting. We live in a commuter town and we're about a ~10 minute walk from the main train station which is why we chose it, but also means loads of them are rented by other young couples and families who commute each day. Could be worth a shot if I'm feeling brave though...