Tenant's Rights When Landlord Wants To Sell

matildabm

I received an letter from my letting agents on May 7th giving me notice to leave the property as the landlords want to sell it. It read, 

"You are in contract until the 20th November 2021, attached is the section 21 notice giving you 6 months notice (which is currently the amount required by law due to COVID). However if you did want to start looking for alternative accommodation the owners would be happy for you to break the fixed contract and vacate by giving us two months notice which will then enable them to put the property on the market.  (Earliest date to leave would be 20th August.)  You are under no obligation to do this however it could work for you if something comes on that suits you."
They're now asking to come in to value the property but am I obligated to do so, especially almost 6 months before I have to leave? My contract says in the event of the property being re-let or sold, I have to allow viewings in the last two months of my tenancy but it doesn't mention allowing them in to value it.
Also, when I queried what they said about me giving them 2 months notice and that 2 months from May 7th was actually July 7th, they said the landlords needed a tenant in there until August 20th but would be willing to let me go after that but only if I give them 2 months notice before I actually move out despite them serving me notice. Is that right? I still have to do that? So if I find a new property on 31st August, I can't actually move out until 31st October? 
Can anyone advise?

moneysavinghero

It is YOUR home. You let in who YOU decide. The contract even says that can only have viewings in the last 2 months. That is still 4 months away (and even then contract does not override your legal right to quiet enjoyment of your home.)

Yes you would have to give 2 months notice (unless you can agree with the LL otherwise).

Marvel1

So allowing to break but only until after August 20th as they need a tenant in there.

They can wait for the valuation until the last 2 months not before as they don't need it done now, change the locks, keep the old lock to change back when leaving.

caprikid1

You are in contract till November 20th that is the date anything before that on either side is by negotiation.

AdrianC

You are in your fixed tenancy period until 20th November?
So you have no contractual right to leave before then.

However, they have said they are happy to waive that, subject to two months notice from you, expiring no earlier than 20th August.
Are they trying to have their cake and eat it? Perhaps.
But they do not have to do even that.
They may be willing to shorten the notice period they will accept from you, once you are actually ready to hand your notice in.

I suspect any such request would be more likely to be granted if you were amenable to allowing visits from EAs to value the property. It is a very minor inconvenience to you, obviously subject to reasonable notice, and makes no difference to the six month s21 notice they've already given you...

FWIW, when you do find a new rental property, the chances are you won't be able to move into it immediately anyway...

theartfullodger

AdrianC said:

You are in your fixed tenancy period until 20th November?
So you have no contractual right to leave before then.

...

Errr.. not quite: You can leave any time you like - eg this afternoon at 17:37.  But will remain liable for the rent, at least.

Negotiate.

GDB2222

theartfullodger said:

AdrianC said:

You are in your fixed tenancy period until 20th November?
So you have no contractual right to leave before then.

...

Errr.. not quite: You can leave any time you like - eg this afternoon at 17:37.  But will remain liable for the rent, at least.

Negotiate.

Most tenancy agreements say you mustn't leave the place empty as that would invalidate the LL's insurance. Apart from that, I agree with you, of course.