Landlord selling my home, advice needed please.

Gavin83

poppy12345 said:

I also spoke to the LL’s maintenance guy this morning and told him what it’s advertised as and he’s confirmed to me that it should not be advertised as anything other than an investment property, with sitting tenants. He’s going to contact the LL on my behalf. 

It's not true though. The landlord can advertise the property however they wish. The landlord/letting agent will often tell you they're only selling to investors to keep you happy but will often advertise it to anyone. I've had the same occur in the past.

However it's a poor decision by the landlord to sell this as a home for someone to live in. Evicting a tenant isn't easy and often takes a long period of time and if the tenant is stubborn enough it'll either cost you a lot of money or the sale. It's very telling they clearly haven't mention the sitting tenant to viewers.

Firstly in your shoes I would change the locks and agree set dates/times for viewings. Make sure you're home and make it very clear to anyone viewing that you are a sitting tenant and have no intention to leave quickly. That should by all rights put off anyone who is looking to buy for themselves, unless there are hefty discounts involved, which from the way they've sold this is unlikely.

Ultimately as mentioned evicting a tenant isn't quick. How you react depends on what your goal is. You can try and influence it so a landlord buys but in all honesty you have to accept you'll need to move eventually. So the way I see it you have two options:

1) Come up with some sort of agreement with the landlord/letting agency. I'd make it very clear you've been advised you don't have to move out after the 2 months notice and have been told by the council you should stay put until bailiffs evict. However, if they help you find alternative accommodation + give you a payment for the inconvenience then you'll move on their timescales. The landlord is profiteering from making your life difficult so no reason you shouldn't benefit too.

2) Stay put, refuse to move and only move once the bailiffs turn up. You're likely looking at a year plus for the eviction to take place. You can likely kiss goodbye to a reference though and it will cost you some money.

Landlords/letting agents do rely on ignorance though. Make it clear you're aware of your rights and they're likely to be a lot more open to discussing a solution.....

COYI123 said:

poppy12345 said:

COYI123 said:

I’m sorry , but I find this to be very very selfish . As hard as it is , when you go to rent a property , you know full well that there is always the risk of being evicted . It’s the landlords property . If they want to sell within the legal notice they can . As a tenant you know this when you go to rent . This is the risk it carries . For all you know , the landlord may need that money for a personal reason of their own . I don’t believe in trying to long it out as long as possible and make the process longer and harder for yourself and the landlord . You should be spending more time trying to find you’re next property, instead of getting videos on how to change a lock . 

You're entitled to your opinion and that's fine. I don't see anything selfish in anything i said. It's my home, regardless of what you think.

How dare you tell me to spend more time looking for a property instead of watching how to change locks videos. I've been looking for properties every single day since i found out it's going up for sale!

You can believe what you want but if i can't find another home then i'll have no option but to stay as long as i can.

35har1old said:

Also their statutory duty to carry out inspections of boilers and fire alarms giving excess to tradespeople

I've always given the LA access to my home for everything they've needed.

The thing is , it’s not you’re home . It’s the landlords home . People go and rent and all of a sudden think that the landlord shouldn’t be able to do what they want with the property . That’s life . That’s the implications of renting a property and the risk that comes with it . I find it selfish that you would try to long it out and make it more difficult for the landlord . Like I said , how do you know that they are not in desperate need due to a personal reason , wether it be a health issue or financial issue , for that money ? You have to think of the bigger picture . That’s my opinion 

It ceases being the landlords home when they rent it out. While you're leasing it becomes your home. Of course the landlord owns it but there are significant protections in place for tenants and there's no reason they shouldn't exercise those rights. The personal circumstances of the landlord are not the tenants problem.

Of course you could argue that letting rights are far too biased in favour of the tenant, on which I'd agree. However the market does appear to be correcting itself and I expect the Government will have no choice but to roll back some rules, or at least introduce some rules for the benefit of landlords. If they don't there won't be many rental properties left soon.

poppy12345

COYI123 said:

poppy12345 said:

COYI123 said:

I’m sorry , but I find this to be very very selfish . As hard as it is , when you go to rent a property , you know full well that there is always the risk of being evicted . It’s the landlords property . If they want to sell within the legal notice they can . As a tenant you know this when you go to rent . This is the risk it carries . For all you know , the landlord may need that money for a personal reason of their own . I don’t believe in trying to long it out as long as possible and make the process longer and harder for yourself and the landlord . You should be spending more time trying to find you’re next property, instead of getting videos on how to change a lock . 

You're entitled to your opinion and that's fine. I don't see anything selfish in anything i said. It's my home, regardless of what you think.

How dare you tell me to spend more time looking for a property instead of watching how to change locks videos. I've been looking for properties every single day since i found out it's going up for sale!

You can believe what you want but if i can't find another home then i'll have no option but to stay as long as i can.

35har1old said:

Also their statutory duty to carry out inspections of boilers and fire alarms giving excess to tradespeople

I've always given the LA access to my home for everything they've needed.

The thing is , it’s not you’re home . It’s the landlords home . People go and rent and all of a sudden think that the landlord shouldn’t be able to do what they want with the property . That’s life . That’s the implications of renting a property and the risk that comes with it . I find it selfish that you would try to long it out and make it more difficult for the landlord . Like I said , how do you know that they are not in desperate need due to a personal reason , wether it be a health issue or financial issue , for that money ? You have to think of the bigger picture . That’s my opinion 

That’s not right at all! What ever gave you that idea? It is my home, it’s got all my furniture, clothes, carpets (I bought them!) curtains, blinds, pots/pans, white goods etc etc. 

Its not my property, it’s belongs to the LL. There’s a big difference to owning a property and living in it. 

I’ve never once said in any of my comments that the LL can’t do whatever they want. I just want to be treated fairly and right now I don’t think I am. 

I’ve never in my life been selfish and I don’t appreciate being accused of being this way. If you don’t have anything nice to say then please don’t comment any further. I’m not here to be judged. 

pinkshoes

poppy12345 said:

I also spoke to the LL’s maintenance guy this morning and told him what it’s advertised as and he’s confirmed to me that it should not be advertised as anything other than an investment property, with sitting tenants. He’s going to contact the LL on my behalf. 

This is incorrect.

They can advertise it as whatever they like. There is no obligation to sell homes with tenants as an investment - this can often limit the price they achieve. 

Although you haven't been given an S21 eviction notice, if you find another suitable property then I'd take it and give your landlord your 1 month notice to leave. 

A good landlord would either evict the tenant first before selling, or offer the tenant a financial incentive for viewings to take place, and pay moving costs if they move out in a timely manner. A tenant, however, does NOT have to allow viewings to take place...

So you can play this however you like, negotiate with the landlord (as he clearly wants to sell as well as keep receiving rent) or just find somewhere and move out. 

Worst case scenario is you don't find anything, the LL takes it to court, bailiffs turn up then you get evicted. The council will then have to house you, but given supply is ridiculously short then this could be a B&B miles away. 

The downside of renting is that although it may be your home, it is never permanent. 

CSI_Yorkshire

Unfortunately, being judged comes with posting on a public forum, but I'm pretty sure most of us aren't agreeing with that perspective.

There's little you can do about the landlord choosing to sell, as you have accepted, but others are right - make sure that viewers know you have no plans to move and haven't been asked to.

I viewed a house listed as perfect for first time buyers etc and it had a tenant family in - they told me the same, nice and friendly chat - no way would I offer on it and I told the agent that the advertising was misleading by leaning that information out.

elsien

GDB2222 said:

I suggest getting in touch with the local authority, and explaining the situation. They will eventually have the obligation to provide you with accommodation, so you won’t end up on the street. However, given the shortage of public housing they will probably tell you to hang on until the court orders you to leave.  They may help you find another place to live within the private sector.


How does your current rent compare with the local reference rent?

That is not a given. The OP’s health issues may give them some priority, but there is no obligation on the local authority to provide housing so people aren’t homeless unless they fall within specific categories of vulnerability.

However I do think it’s a good idea to contact the local authority now to see what they can offer now in terms of advice, and in the future if the worst comes to the worst. 

born_again

COYI123 said:

The thing is , it’s not you’re home . It’s the landlords home . People go and rent and all of a sudden think that the landlord shouldn’t be able to do what they want with the property . That’s life . That’s the implications of renting a property and the risk that comes with it . I find it selfish that you would try to long it out and make it more difficult for the landlord . Like I said , how do you know that they are not in desperate need due to a personal reason , wether it be a health issue or financial issue , for that money ? You have to think of the bigger picture . That’s my opinion 

At no point has @poppy12345 said anything about making it more difficult for the landlord in selling the property. Other posters have mentioned the legal rights of a tenant.

Given how much help @poppy12345 gives to other people on this forum. Advice such as your is really uncalled for. 

poppy12345

pinkshoes said:

poppy12345 said:

I also spoke to the LL’s maintenance guy this morning and told him what it’s advertised as and he’s confirmed to me that it should not be advertised as anything other than an investment property, with sitting tenants. He’s going to contact the LL on my behalf. 

This is incorrect.

They can advertise it as whatever they like. There is no obligation to sell homes with tenants as an investment - this can often limit the price they achieve. 

I don't think i explained myself properly here. The maintenance guy i spoke to knows the LL well and she has told him that the properties she's currently selling are to be put up for sale as investment properties, with sitting tenants only.

elsien said:

GDB2222 said:

I suggest getting in touch with the local authority, and explaining the situation. They will eventually have the obligation to provide you with accommodation, so you won’t end up on the street. However, given the shortage of public housing they will probably tell you to hang on until the court orders you to leave.  They may help you find another place to live within the private sector.


How does your current rent compare with the local reference rent?

However I do think it’s a good idea to contact the local authority now to see what they can offer now in terms of advice, and in the future if the worst comes to the worst. 

Ive contacted my OT who came and did a needs assessment on me a few months ago. Adaptions were planned for my home but of course now this can't go ahead because of the house sale. Therefore she's going to contact the HA on my behalf and send them all the reports she's done. Hopefully, this will help me. She told me she'll will be intouch as soon as she's contacted them.

GDB2222

elsien said:

GDB2222 said:

I suggest getting in touch with the local authority, and explaining the situation. They will eventually have the obligation to provide you with accommodation, so you won’t end up on the street. However, given the shortage of public housing they will probably tell you to hang on until the court orders you to leave.  They may help you find another place to live within the private sector.


How does your current rent compare with the local reference rent?

That is not a given. The OP’s health issues may give them some priority, but there is no obligation on the local authority to provide housing so people aren’t homeless unless they fall within specific categories of vulnerability.

However I do think it’s a good idea to contact the local authority now to see what they can offer now in terms of advice, and in the future if the worst comes to the worst. 

Thank you for correcting me. I was assuming the OP's health needs would make her eligible, and of course you have a good point.  Asking the local authority would be a good plan. 

Also, there's loads of info on the Shelter website. Here are a couple of links, to get started:

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness_applications

https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/legal/homelessness_applications/priority_need_in_homelessness_applications/advising_on_vulnerability_and_priority_need

Skiddaw1

born_again said:

COYI123 said:

The thing is , it’s not you’re home . It’s the landlords home . People go and rent and all of a sudden think that the landlord shouldn’t be able to do what they want with the property . That’s life . That’s the implications of renting a property and the risk that comes with it . I find it selfish that you would try to long it out and make it more difficult for the landlord . Like I said , how do you know that they are not in desperate need due to a personal reason , wether it be a health issue or financial issue , for that money ? You have to think of the bigger picture . That’s my opinion 

At no point has @poppy12345 said anything about making it more difficult for the landlord in selling the property. Other posters have mentioned the legal rights of a tenant.

Given how much help @poppy12345 gives to other people on this forum. Advice such as your is really uncalled for. 

I wholeheartedly agree.

Bonniepurple

I have reported one of the posts as it is completely inappropriate and untrue.  It is not the landlord’s home - and possibly never has been.  

OP - it’s a horrible situation to be in.  I’ve been in it in the past.  The only thing that I can advise is to communicate- in writing- with the LL and the letting agent.  Agree times and dates for viewings, and agree reasonable notice.  Explain that you do not want to cause problems but you need to ensure that you’ve got a roof over your head.  Keep it as amicable as you can as there may be favours needed on both sides.

Good luck.