We didn't know our new house had tenants.

Alderbank · 27 April 2024 at 4:40PM

I assume the OP was a cash buyer so no involvement of lenders, BTL mortgages, etc?

Do we know what kind of tenancy agreement the OP has with his new tenants, which he has inherited from the former owner? That would be useful, not least because of the landlord's legal duties and obligations to his tenants.

I am guessing that the seller discussed with the tenants his plans to move to Oz and sell up, and the tenants assured him that was no problem and they would move out on an agreed date. Neither party might have bothered much with paperwork. Not everybody knows or cares about legal formalities but there was no intention on either side to deceive anyone.

The seller completed form TA6 stating that to the best of his knowledge and belief the property would have vacant possession. The seller then occupied himself with packing, immigration paperwork, etc. and left the UK, probably some weeks before completion date.

Possibly the tenants got a rude shock when they looked for somewhere to move to and discovered how scarce and expensive rental properties have become in the last few years?

Perhaps they asked Shelter for advice and were surprised to be told their legal rights?

Apart from the TA6 form, do we know any of this?

propertyrental · 27 April 2024 at 6:48PM

Lots of unanswered questions, and lots of assumptions being made.

OP needs to clarify if they want ongoing forum advice or suggestions.

Emily_Joy · 27 April 2024 at 7:00PM

Alderbank said:

Perhaps they asked Shelter for advice and were surprised to be told their legal rights?

This doesn't explain why the tenants are trashing the house. But I am puzzled as to why the OP has come here 2 months later, not the day after completion date.