Buying a property that’s occupied with tenants

kazwookie

Remember once they are out, to go and check the property inside and outside to make sure they haven't damaged anything / taken the bathroom / kitchen with them etc.

Then you instruct your solicitor to start paperwork, exchange etc

MaryNB

lookstraightahead said:

Scotbot said:

You know where they live. I would go round introduce yourself to the tenants and ask them what their plans are.  A quick 5 minute polite conversation will tell you where you stand

This could be seen as harassment though and makes no difference to what they may or may not do. It's of no interest to the tenants. 

I agree. When I was in my early 20s in a houseshare we were worried our landlord was going to sell the property. We loved the house, it was very much a home. Also the rental market in the area was insane (still is) and it would have been hard to find somewhere else especially with the same terms and rent - we were in a really good situation.

I was quite stressed about it and having a buyer come to the house wouldn't have been welcomed. If it happened when I was a bit older it may not have stressed me as much but still, being told to leave your home isn't a nice situation to be in. I wouldn't have appreciated a complete stranger turning up and asking me when I'm leaving. 

lookstraightahead

kazwookie said:

Remember once they are out, to go and check the property inside and outside to make sure they haven't damaged anything / taken the bathroom / kitchen with them etc.

Then you instruct your solicitor to start paperwork, exchange etc

Well wouldn't that be for owner-occupiers as well? We take a huge risk that on the day of completion the owners haven't trashed the place. 

GaleSF63

lookstraightahead said:

kazwookie said:

Remember once they are out, to go and check the property inside and outside to make sure they haven't damaged anything / taken the bathroom / kitchen with them etc.

Then you instruct your solicitor to start paperwork, exchange etc

Well wouldn't that be for owner-occupiers as well? We take a huge risk that on the day of completion the owners haven't trashed the place. 

It's probably thought to be more likely with tenants because it's often not their choice that they are leaving. 

lookstraightahead

GaleSF63 said:

lookstraightahead said:

kazwookie said:

Remember once they are out, to go and check the property inside and outside to make sure they haven't damaged anything / taken the bathroom / kitchen with them etc.

Then you instruct your solicitor to start paperwork, exchange etc

Well wouldn't that be for owner-occupiers as well? We take a huge risk that on the day of completion the owners haven't trashed the place. 

It's probably thought to be more likely with tenants because it's often not their choice that they are leaving. 

Yes but the buyers are still buying from the owner

user1977

GaleSF63 said:

lookstraightahead said:

kazwookie said:

Remember once they are out, to go and check the property inside and outside to make sure they haven't damaged anything / taken the bathroom / kitchen with them etc.

Then you instruct your solicitor to start paperwork, exchange etc

Well wouldn't that be for owner-occupiers as well? We take a huge risk that on the day of completion the owners haven't trashed the place. 

It's probably thought to be more likely with tenants because it's often not their choice that they are leaving. 

I suspect we've had just as many stories here about owner-occupiers (or members of their households) being slow to remove/causing damage etc as about tenants.

GaleSF63

user1977 said:

GaleSF63 said:

lookstraightahead said:

kazwookie said:

Remember once they are out, to go and check the property inside and outside to make sure they haven't damaged anything / taken the bathroom / kitchen with them etc.

Then you instruct your solicitor to start paperwork, exchange etc

Well wouldn't that be for owner-occupiers as well? We take a huge risk that on the day of completion the owners haven't trashed the place. 

It's probably thought to be more likely with tenants because it's often not their choice that they are leaving. 

I suspect we've had just as many stories here about owner-occupiers (or members of their households) being slow to remove/causing damage etc as about tenants.

It's how it's perceived though, not necessarily what happens. 

EndlessStruggle

Okay so the tenants are now the least of my problems as the house next door which is almost identical (a few modifications and extra land) is up for sale for 70k more than my accepted offer

lookstraightahead

EndlessStruggle said:

Okay so the tenants are now the least of my problems as the house next door which is almost identical (a few modifications and extra land) is up for sale for 70k more than my accepted offer

Sounds like a lucky escape, as the property you want to buy is still tenanted. And those tenants won't be leaving anytime soon.

Did you read anything here about the fact that it could take years for tenants to leave? 

steve866

I find it interesting that on this thread and others on here, everyone assumes that all tenants reactions to being asked to move out will be met with refusal and it dragging out for a long time. Is this really the case in general? In my circle of friends none of us would have stayed for months on end if a landlord wanted to sell, we would all have moved out in a reasonable timeframe, is this unique?