Buying a house with problem tenants currently in situ

LHZ

After many months of trying (being out bid etc) I've finally got an offer accepted on a house. The owner is currently in the process of removing the tenants. Everyone I speak to is saying I should be cautious as I could end up inheriting the problem tenants. The agent is keen to get the ball rolling and before I start paying for solicitors etc is there anything I should be aware of? If the tenants hang on and drag their feet am I going to incur unforseen legal costs? Any other advice greatly appreciated.

74jax

I wouldn't start paying for anything. The tenants could be there for another 2 years. 

Keep the offer there but continue to look. 

Bonniepurple

Just don’t.  Or, if you have to, don’t do anything until the tenants leave and you have inspected the property.  Be prepared for the house to be in a right state.  Keep looking and putting offers in on other properties.  You could be waiting a long time for this one.

user1977

The costs won't be "unforeseen", they're entirely foreseeable in these circumstances. As above, just sit tight and wait until the tenants have gone before spending money.

canaldumidi

LHZ said:

..... The agent is keen to get the ball rolling

Oh that really made me laugh. Thanks!

and before I start paying for solicitors etc is there anything I should be aware of? If the tenants hang on and drag their feet am I going to incur unforseen legal costs? ....

Yes. As soon as you instruct your solicitor you'll start to incur legal costs! And those costs could drag out for months. Or even years.

Do not incur any costs, (legal, surveys, mortgage application fee - anything) until the tenants are gone, and you've personally viewed and checked the property is vacant.

Then and only then....

eddddy

LHZ said:

I speak to is saying I should be cautious as I could end up inheriting the problem tenants. 

Just to be clear - presumably you want to buy a vacant property to live in.

Realistically, you won't end up inheriting problem tenants. The real problem is that you can't buy the property until the tenants have moved out.

As others say, it could be a very long time before they move out.

lookstraightahead

Don't do anything until the tenants have left.

Honestly you will be paying for the privilege of hassle and responsibility.

Doesn't matter how desperate you are to buy, this would be much worse.

bargainbetty

Do not proceed with anything until you have confirmation of vacant possession. You will inherit tenants unless they are out when you exchange contracts. You will then be facing a long eviction process at your own expense. 

Leave the offer on the table, but advise the EA that you won't be paying for anything until you have evidence that the proper evictions process has been followed. Of course the EA is keen to start it - you are less likely to walk away if you have money invested in it... 

HopefulFTB22

Why do you believe them to be problem tenants? 

canaldumidi

HopefulFTB22 said:

Why do you believe them to be problem tenants? 

To be honest, does not really matter. Even if they were perfect tenants, the advice would be the same. But if the OP believes them to be problem Ts, then all the more reson to be cautious, even if the Ts turn out not to be 'problem Ts'.

Even perfect, clean/tidy, rent-paying tenants can have difficulty finding a new home to move on to......

LHZ

HopefulFTB22 said:

Why do you believe them to be problem tenants? 

My understanding is that they are many months in arrears and that the owner has initiated the eviction process.