Landlord Selling Property

rachael2208

Hello,

I have lived in my property that im renting for over 4 years, she rang and said that she was thinking of selling the house. She come to get it valued today and she told me they said it was dated, so she wants to come in at weekends to plaster, rip of dadorails, paint and change carpet. I work all through the week. Sometimes weekends. I have asked for it in writing to go to my local housing so I can get onto the housing with a times frame. Her reply was "yes i will do when i know whats happening i will keep you posted" but i have a son and dont really want to be in the house while its all being done. Is there anything i can do? Is she allowed to do this work while im living in here so she can get it on the market? 

Please help 

davidmcn

No, you can tell her she's welcome to do the work after you've moved out. 

rachael2208

But she hasnt give me a notice yet. She said it could be months or a year before its sold. But its not really secure for me. Could i ask for a Section 21? 

Marvel1

davidmcn said:

No, you can tell her she's welcome to do the work after you've moved out. 

This, get the locks changed, keeping the old one.

steampowered

While the property is in tenancy, you have a right to quiet enjoyment of the property.

The landlord can't be doing major renovation work to be preparing the property for sale, while still wanting you to pay full rent.

You could offer to let the landlord do the work while you are still in the property in exchange for a rent reduction. You can then put the saved money into a separate savings account (so that you don't spend it) - that would give you some emergency savings.

notrouble

You will not get onto a housing list with the council as you are not homeless. And even if/when she serves notice formally, you still won't be homeless. So forget that idea!

That property is your home. If she wants to come in to improve it, she must get your permission. You can

* agree to give her (or her contractors) free access at any time if you want, but you don't have to. Or

* agree access at times to suit you, which you specify. That way you get your home improved, but you have the inconvenience of contractors etc.Or

* agree to the work in exchange for a reduced rent. Get this agreed in writing though!

* you can refuse. Completely. It is your home and your right. Do not feel pressured to agree if you do not want to.

If she wants to improve the property and then sell, she can,of course, serve notice and evict you, depending on what type of tenancy you have. For example, if you have a 12 month fixed term tenancy, with no Break Clause, she cannot evict you earlier than the end of the 12 months (and if you stay, it will take her more months still).

If she is the type of landlord who might ignore your refusal to allow access, change the locks. A new lock costs about £5 - £10.

How to change a mortice lock.

Read also:

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?

rachael2208

My contract is a rolling contact i think. Ive asked for a time frame as i cant live like this. She said the house will be on the market in 2 months. The housing said if i have a section 21 i would have better chance of being rehomed. As im a single parent working. I start my new job working for the housing on monday. I am so stressed with everything as I have a dog i dont really want people in and out of my property. She put my rent up last year £50 which i had no problem with. But i havent had a gas safety check since I have been here. 

MovingForwards

You won't get council / Housing Association without being evicted by bailiffs, that can only happen after you landlord has an eviction granted by the court.

notrouble

rachael2208 said:

My contract is a rolling contact i think. Ive asked for a time frame as i cant live like this. She said the house will be on the market in 2 months. The housing said if i have a section 21 i would have better chance of being rehomed. As im a single parent working. I start my new job working for the housing on monday. I am so stressed with everything as I have a dog i dont really want people in and out of my property. She put my rent up last year £50 which i had no problem with. But i havent had a gas safety check since I have been here. 

Did you read the link I gave you about how a landlord evicts a tenant?

Assuming she serves a S21 tomorrow, it will be 21st April before it expires. Then she has to apply to a court which will take another 1 - 3 months, so maybe 21st June. Even then, if you want the council to re-house you, you'll need to wait for bailiffs - another month? 2 months? So 21st August.

But if you have no gas report, her S21 will be invalid. So in 2 months when she goes to court, you get the S21 notice declared invalid and she has to start again. So 1st august will become 21st October.....

Meanwhile, see your options regarding the 'improvements' she wants. It's up to you - not her.

macman

rachael2208 said:

My contract is a rolling contact i think. Ive asked for a time frame as i cant live like this. She said the house will be on the market in 2 months. The housing said if i have a section 21 i would have better chance of being rehomed. As im a single parent working. I start my new job working for the housing on monday. I am so stressed with everything as I have a dog i dont really want people in and out of my property. She put my rent up last year £50 which i had no problem with. But i havent had a gas safety check since I have been here. been here. 

No GSC in 4 years?! So bearing in mind the serious criminal offence committed by your LL, you really do hold all the negotiating cards here. Name your own terms not to dob them in.
BTW, without a current GSC, the S21 would be invalid anyway.

rachael2208

Thank you so much for your help. I just want out of here now. I just feel so disheartened that ive spent alot of my money decorating, putting in new carpets. I want to leave here. But findind a private rented house in this area close to my work, sons school and my only support group is proving difficult.