Landlord Selling Up...Would You Allow Viewings?

gazfocus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81858547#Comment_81858547

I don't think that'd be an option unfortunately. Applications for high school don't open until September and then the offers aren't issued until the following March so we'd be needing the landlord to delay their plans for a whole year which I don't think is likely. My suspicion is that the landlord wants us out before the Renters Rights Act makes it more difficult for them to get us out so likely wouldn't agree to waiting.

It's just one of those things at the end of the day. I'm not going to get upset over it, it's part and parcel of renting. I just would have preferred the landlord to be upfront with their intention 10 months ago as we would have looked for something else (though that's clearly why they're weren't upfront).

gazfocus

To be frank, I feel like the landlord wants their cake and eat it…they want us to be paying rent while they market the house, have viewings, get the sale under way, then for us to just move out happy as Larry when the time comes because we're nice people and we're often seen as 'soft'.

However, if I was selling, I would much prefer to get the tenants out of the picture, I'd know what condition the house is in, get the house listed while it's empty with no onward chain, and would likely get a better offer as a result.

TheJP

When you viewed the property was there tenants in the property at the time?

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81858575#Comment_81858575

The advice usually on here is never to exchange contracts to buy a property unless you are 100% sure the tenants have moved out. Usually by physically checking yourself.

theartfullodger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81858575#Comment_81858575

Indeed: When I've sold I've only put them on the market & accepted views after any tenants have departed, I've changed the locks, sorted and obvious repairs & taken input from agent as to any improvements advisable. IMHO anyone doing otherwise is creating problems for themselves.

btw of the last 3.5 houses sold (3 ex-BTL in Highlands of Scotland - OK but tatty and in need of refurb & redecoration plus my intestate deceased brother's house (selling with sister), hardly touched since 1971 when he bought it) agents all said about all properties no repairs/refurb , new owners will do what they want not what you think they will want.

Grumpy_chap

"

we'd be needing the landlord to delay their plans for a whole year which I don't think is likely.

"

Unless you are co-operative, it could take the LL far longer than a year to complete your vacating the property.

gazfocus

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81858635#Comment_81858635

No, it was empty.

TheJP

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81858950#Comment_81858950

I guess what I'm getting at is whether renting or selling viewings need to happen. Yes its an inconvenience of 30 minutes or so but you could say to the LL and agent that you are capping viewings to X on this date. This will help with sweetening the LL when it comes to dates where they may help you financially.

mlz1413

Interesting tread.

I have decided to sell my B2L now even though I thought I would own it forever (already had it 18 years). But the new tax changes on top of the Renters Rights was the final straw.

My tenants signed a year lease in Aug 25 and I can hand on heart say I wasn't thinking of selling at that point.

But the new tax changes are just the last straw. Literally no point in continuing to give everything I make to the Chancellor.

I intend to give a minimum of 3 months notice, I am just looking at extending the lease and the time line on that and then I will be honest with them.

I was going to ask tenants if they wanted to allow viewings as there is a chance another LL may look to buy but I would completely understand if they said no.

Murphybear

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81858242#Comment_81858242

There’s a saying in the business “statute overrides contract” in other words you can’t sign your rights away