Landlord Selling Up...Would You Allow Viewings?

gazfocus

My family and I moved into a rental property just over 10 months ago. Our landlord lives abroad and we've not had much need to contact them. We've had conversations early on about being here long term and offered to spruce up the house etc (which thankfully we hadn't done much of yet) but there was zero indication that the landlord would sell in the immediate future.

Anyway, received an email today from the estate agent that marketed the house to say that the landlord wants to sell. Gave us a rough value of the house (pie in the sky in my opinion) and asked us if we wanted to buy it. If we don't, they intend to begin marketing it and will issue us with our two months notice.

My first reaction was that they can market the house all they like but they're not doing viewings while we live here so unlikley to get any interest, and I cannot promise them that we will move out within two months (particularly as there's only 2 4 bedroom houses within 3 miles of our area on rightmove at present and one of those is way over our budget) so they may well have to go to court.

My gut is to not make it easy for them, but at the same time, I have sympathy for the burden the Renters Rights Act is going to put on landlords. We actually have a house that we rent out and considered selling but decided against it because it would be unfair on the tenants.

So, my question is, would you allow viewings to aid the landlord in selling?

user1977

Have some fun by allowing viewings but do all you can to deter buyers.

_Penny_Dreadful

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6652514/landlord-selling-up-would-you-allow-viewings

Given you’ll have the hassle and expense of moving so soon again I don’t think I’d be keen to allow viewings. It would also depend on the number of viewings and if the estate agent intends to have home opens where all and sundry is walking through your home so on balance, in this situation I’d say no.

On the flip side, as a landlord I wouldn’t market a property whilst tenants are still in-situ or ask if of them having been on the other side myself.

gazfocus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81857560#Comment_81857560

Unfortunately that's not in my nature but I appreciate the sentiment haha

gazfocus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81857562#Comment_81857562

This is kind of my thinking. I don't want to come across as spiteful but we like to keep ourselves to ourselves and I really don't like the idea of people walking through our home, especially when the only one it benefits will be the landlord (plus the EA with the commission they will be earning).

I have already responded to the EA to say that at present we don't have the funds to pay another deposit and additional rent to another landlord given we've only been here 10 months, so there's not a lot we can do.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81857571#Comment_81857571

This might prompt the landlord to give you a financial "sweetener" to move out at the end of your 12month tenancy. Whilst they could sell with you in situ to another landlord, they'll get more money if it's not tenanted.

Ref44

Given you are a landlord, I presume you are fully aware of the legal requirements that need to be met before the landlord/agent can issue a valid s21 notice. If the paperwork isn't complete/correct, you could wait and then point it out at a possession hearing, which would mean them having to restart the process. Depending when the new renters act kicks in, they could have a major problem.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81857734#Comment_81857734

They are the tenant in the scenario

When we were in a similar situation we checked our contract which did give a right to access for viewings but firstly we demanded the notice period required in the contract for any non-emergency visitor and we were honest with viewers… not intentionally trying to put them off as others have suggested but when asked if there are any problems pointed out that the heating is in the concrete floor and it was broken in two rooms etc

With the silly price the landlord initially advertised it at there weren't many viewings anyway and ultimately it took him 18 months to sell it at £150k below the original asking price.

ButterCheese

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81857560#Comment_81857560

I don't see the fun in making life difficult for someone else just because you can.

Every house I have ever rented, bought or viewed (probably 10 in total), the previous owners or tenants have been in the house. They have either sat in the lounge, or waited outside whilst an agent shows us around. In my mind, the only reason to refuse or make life difficult, may be because you are annoyed at having to leave so quickly after you have moved in. If the law and renters rights are being followed, be angry at the system and not at the landlord or potential buyer.

Also, they are there to view the house and will have no interest in you, your property, or how much dirty washing is in your laundry basket.

twoLou

Does the rental contract you signed have a clause about allowing viewings?

I recently bought a house that was a rental and the tenant was incredibly amenable

to the landlord, agent and my surveyor

I have also viewed properties that were tenanted and no viewings were allowed until it was empty but the estate agent had a board and it was advertised for sale.

Grumpy_chap

"

Gave us a rough value of the house (pie in the sky in my opinion) and asked us if we wanted to buy it.

"

Would you want and be in a position to buy the house if the price was right?

If so, nothing to stop you engaging with a sensible discussion around price. It will be far easier (and cheaper) for the current LL to sell to you than have to evict you and then sell. Remember, eviction can only be forced via the courts - you may of course agree to leave ahead of that under your own free will if you can move more comfortably to another property. You may wish to ask the LL to meet some of your moving costs etc.