Viewing a flat with tenants in situ

ahfat41

My son has booked a viewing for a flat with tenants in situ. What questions should he be asking the EA prior to the viewing? According to EA loads of interests booked for the weekends. Will there be issues buying a flat that has been rented? Will be changing locks a must? Thanks

CKhalvashi

Changing the locks is prudent no matter what is happening. I had a locksmith upgrade the locks on the day we moved into our current house (just a barrel change can be done without this).

If not planning to rent it out, you'll need to clarify the stage the S21 is at, whether it has been served correctly and confirm vacant possession.

There should be no other additional steps to take than this.

lookstraightahead

Don't buy anything until there are no tenants (unless he's buying it to become a landlord). A tenant has rights and might not be in a position to move to suit a new owner. 

By all means ask what the situation is but don't buy until you're 100% sure it will be vacant possession.

turnitround

Buying a flat that 'has' been rented will not be an issue. 
Buying a flat that is currently rented is another matter. 

Jonboy_1984

Remember that only a tenant or a court can end a tenancy, a landlord can only ask them to vacate…

The more competitive the local rental market the less likely they are to leave on time (we saw a three week plus delay over when we were expecting to complete our purchases, by tenants that wanted to leave and had signed paperwork to say they were!)

Estate agents are paid to sugar coat things so take their early assurances with a pinch of salt...

mebu60

If the tenants are present for the viewing and are willing to engage I would be asking them about the flat, e.g. if they had the money would they buy it, if not, why not? has the current owner done all the maintenance they've requested? etc.
Your visual check of any intended property will tell you a lot plus subsequent survey if you proceed, regardless whether ex-rental or not. 
Highly recommended to change the locks after moving into any new place. 

cymruchris

ahfat41 said:

My son has booked a viewing for a flat with tenants in situ. What questions should he be asking the EA prior to the viewing? According to EA loads of interests booked for the weekends. Will there be issues buying a flat that has been rented? Will be changing locks a must? Thanks

Have the tenants themselves asked to leave, and are already packing ready to go with a confirmed date? Or has the landlord put the flat on the market with the intention of selling it while getting the tenants out? I'd be very careful on how you proceed if it's the latter. (Unless you're in no rush - and by no rush I mean months if not a year or more)

eddddy

You can ask the EA some questions in advance like:

• 1) Have the tenants decided to leave and given notice - so the landlord is taking the opportunity to sell? If so, what date are they moving out?

Or

• 2) Has the landlord decided to sell - so the landlord has given notice to the tenants to leave? If so, what stage in the process are things at?

Then you can see if you can get a chance to chat with the tenants, to get confirmation of the EA's story.

If it's option 1, it's probably a better situation. If it's option 2, there's more of a possibility that the tenants might refuse to leave.

housebuyer143

Tenants are very honest. If they are there ask them for details on problems with the house. 

ahfat41

The EA has booked a lot of viewings on a Saturday I do not think the tenants will be present.

propertyrental

Whatever the agent tells you about the tenants' intentions, and whether the LL/seller has served a S21 Notice, and whether the tenants plan to leave, and when.... take with a pinch of salt.

If you make an offer, and it's accepted, I'd stop there. Don't instruct your solicitor to start, don't pay for a survey, don't pay for anything until the tenants have actually left and you've viewed the flat empty.

Otherwise you could be forking out money only to have a 6+ month wait for the tenants to be evicted.