Private renting advice.

Mazzone10

Hi all,

We are currently renting a house privately from a landlord, on a fixed term lease until 31 May.

The landlord called us last night informing us they are intending to sell the property.

We are in a position where we have a part deposit saved for a house but won't be ready to buy for at least another 3 months yet. This has thrown a spanner in the works for our plan as we were hoping to stay in this property until then. It's also really difficult to find rental property where we are. 

Where do we stand on notices given the current Covid situation? From looking online it appears the landlord would have to give us 6 months notice but this could change on 1 June.

The landlord has been good to us so we don't really want to play hardball as such, but at the same time we need to protect our own interests.

Many thanks. 

Jeremy535897

If a fixed term tenancy comes to an end, and the landlord does not want to renew it, there is not much you can do. The coronavirus related rules regarding the non-serving of eviction notices expire on 31 May 2021.

kimwp

Did he ask you to leave or is he just telling you he wants to sell? (People do sell tenanted houses) Did you voice your plans to him? He might be willing to delay the sale until you are ready to move out if it's only a few months (noting though that the process of finding/purchasing could take a while!)

wannabe_a_saver

Jeremy535897 said:

If a fixed term tenancy comes to an end, and the landlord does not want to renew it, there is not much you can do. The coronavirus related rules regarding the non-serving of eviction notices expire on 31 May 2021.

They don’t have to leave, the fixed term will automatically roll over to a periodic tenancy.

jackieblack

Would you consider buying the house that you’ve been renting and living in? 

Jeremy535897

wannabe_a_saver said:

Jeremy535897 said:

If a fixed term tenancy comes to an end, and the landlord does not want to renew it, there is not much you can do. The coronavirus related rules regarding the non-serving of eviction notices expire on 31 May 2021.

They don’t have to leave, the fixed term will automatically roll over to a periodic tenancy.

If the landlord allows it, yes. The trouble is, he won't.

wannabe_a_saver

Jeremy535897 said:

wannabe_a_saver said:

Jeremy535897 said:

If a fixed term tenancy comes to an end, and the landlord does not want to renew it, there is not much you can do. The coronavirus related rules regarding the non-serving of eviction notices expire on 31 May 2021.

They don’t have to leave, the fixed term will automatically roll over to a periodic tenancy.

If the landlord allows it, yes. The trouble is, he won't.

No, it makes no difference at all what the landlord wants.  If the tenant stays in the property after the fixed term it automatically becomes a periodic tenancy.  The end of the fixed term is when the tenant can choose to move out, or when the landlord can start the process of eviction. 

OP you would be better off posting on the housing board where posters are more knowledgeable on these issues. 

tourist4ever

1. if you want more time you can stay. either way LL needs to serve S21 to officially end the tenancy. From my knowledge S21 notice is still the six months so that buys you plenty of time. that is your end date for the tenancy, that is if you wish to leave. LL needs to give you notice in writing, phone call is nice but other than that he's got no leg to stand on. Bare in mind are you OK with estate agents coming by, viewings etc?

2. if you dont want the stress/hassle of viewings etc find another place to rent until you buy something

Mazzone10

I did call the lettings agency today to check when our current contract ends, it's actually 30 June so this gives us a bit more time.

The initial plan was to move onto a rolling month contract after the fixed term had ended. The landlord was fine with this. We are good tenants and their situation has changed so I don't hold anything against them or think it's anything underhand.

I was panicking a little when I wrote this and have had today to think it over. If we did have to rent somewhere for another 6 months it's not the end of the world. It would give us some more time to look for houses and not rush.

Thanks to those who replied. 

wannabe_a_saver

You don't have to move, its not up to the landlord, its entirely your choice. 

A landlord can't end a tenancy, only the tenant or the court can. 

Jeremy535897

See https://www.gov.uk/private-renting-tenancy-agreements/your-landlord-wants-to-end-your-tenancy