Landlords, would you consider this if your tenants asked?

DO NOT OFFER TO INCREASE THE RENT.

He hasnt told you because he doesnt want you to move out too early and have an empty property not bringing him in money. I reckon hes listed it to see what sort of response he gets before deciding to then issue you with notice.

Screen shot the pictures online and also call pretending to be interested in buying to see if if you can get some more info.

What a total dick move!

I think you’re in a really strong position to approach the landlord with an offer, for completion in 6m if needed.

It’s the only offer they’re going to get in the next 6m if you refuse to facilitate viewings (change those locks) and challenge any notice to end the tenancy.

Someone might have already suggested this, but I'd be tempted to get a friend/relative to to make enquiries with the agent about the listing, just to see what position the landlord is putting out to the general public. The more you know before you raise it with the LL the better.

I would happily wait 6 months - it can take that time to get a sale through, but it rather depends why the landlord is selling

The gas fire is illegal surely?!?

I have two rental properties but more of an accidental landlord. Not only would I be happy to do this I wouldn’t have asked for extra rent nor would I have put a flat up for sake without warning the tenant. This is just plain rude.

I rented mine for 25 years and they did offer it to me to buy but unfortunately I wasn’t in a position to (if I was I wouldn’t have been renting!). You can ask of course, it would just depend on their circumstances and reasons for selling. Rude of them to not let you know so I wouldn’t get my hopes up.

I absolutely would say yes to this, and in fact it would be my dream scenario. I guess your landlord has no idea that you are in a position to buy the house.

Even if they are desperate to sell finding a buyer is hard and sales fall through a lot. So a sure fire buyer is worth a lot.

@DesperateTenant others have given good advice.

I just wanted to add even though you have lived there for 13 years and think you know the house well please get a survey.

For a LL a sitting tenant is often the perfect purchaser because you pay rent until completion. They don’t have to evict you. You know the property etc.

OP - before you speak to the LL or the estate agents please take screenshots of the sale listing and all the photographs you weren't aware had been taken. If you speak to the LL or EA first they may remove it before you have proof.

Make a note now of when you found out the house was for sale and how, plus the date when the rightmove listing was put online.

Make a note of all the repairs you flagged to the LL and when (or as well as you can remember if you haven't kept an ongoing list during your tenancy). Same with any gas safety inspections and certificates etc. Sounds like he has not been meeting his obligations as a LL for some time.

Then go to Shelter and get advice on your rights and how to proceed.

Your LL should have told you he was selling your home of 13 years. I have had some shit LL in the past and one of them gave us 3 months advance notice of planning to sell the property and offered us first refusal on purchasing it. The relationship later deteriorated as she would come to the house without permission when we were out and also removed some of our possessions.

Your landlord cannot enter your home without prior permission except in an emergency (e.g. a gas leak or fire when you are on holiday). You should have been asked to admit an EA to take photos. Same for any viewings.

Absolutely I would.

I'm shocked they didn't offer you first refusal to be honest. How did they gain access for the photos as that's a breach of your tendency if they entered without notice?

That's appalling. Are LLs allowed to post photos of your personal possessions online w/o your consent? What if you were keeping your address from say an abusive partner and then there are identifying objects from you or your children online?

I would definitely approach him about it. There are loads of advantages from his point of view. He'd be saving agents' fees if he sold to you, so 1-2% of the purchase price plus VAT, you wouldn't be in a chain so able to complete quickly once your mortgage was approved and legals done and, most importantly, he wouldn't have to go through the S21 rigmarole with no idea how long that can take or how much it might cost.

If I was an LL, I'd far rather sell to a sitting tenant in 6 months' time than have all that hassle and expense in the hope of a slightly quicker sale.

As the others say - go direct to the landlord and offer to buy it. Don’t offer the increased rent. As a private sale, the landlord will save on estate agent commission. Offer to pay, with completion in 6 months.

Good luck!

You don't lose anything by asking. Don't offer any more rent, keep that in your account to save for the deposit. If I were your landlord, I would jump at the chance. By selling to you, he doesn't have to pay estate agents so would save £000's.

Good luck.

Exactly this, providing you really will be in a position to buy in 6 months

No harm in asking; a lot depends on why they want to sell, but since they do I'd have thought your money is as good as anyone else's

Time to woman up! This is business, not personal. Although I appreciate when it is your home it will feel personal but try to take the emotion out of it.

Learn all about the legal processes around tenancy agreements, in particular eviction.

Learn all about the processes around house buying e.g. mortgage agreements and legal processes.

You are in a really strong position to get this house.

First of all, query with the estate agents why photos have been taken without your permission, why you were not informed. Make it clear you are annoyed and will not be allowing viewings from potential purchasers given how you have been treated. Make it clear that you want to make a complaint against the estate agents.

Start leaving a big mess when you leave the house/rubbish in the garden if you are worried they will let themselves in.

They need a few days/a week for them/the landlord to reflect on the fact you will make this process difficult for them if they continued.

Then contact them again and state you would consider buying it off the landlord if they want to dispose of it. Make an offer that is at least 5 per cent off the asking price. State the completion date you would like (6 months in advance is not a long time in house buying, 3 months would be quick).

They will reject the offer. Don’t offer more, just hold off refusing viewings and wait (may be a couple of weeks….)

You can do this! We will all be here cheering you on!

Nothing to lose by asking. The worst that can happen is a no. And you're no worse off if that happens.

I would delighted if your offered to buy it. Surely, its the best possible outcome for the landlord. Depends how quick they need the sale.
Definitely speak to landlord and no need to offer to increase rent.

Ask, put forward your case. It will be easier for the landlord to sell to you as he won't need to clear the house or use an agent.

We were accidental landlords and recently sold. We would have been delighted to sell to the tenant and really tried to get a deal over the line, but his offer was £10k less than the tenant in the apartment across the hall and we just couldn't afford to take that hit for our family.

Good luck.

Ex LL here. Your LL has not handled this correctly as others have pointed out.

First things first, I would check that you can get a mortgage to actually buy the property. Then approach the LL and make an offer.

I would have bitten your hands off as it would save a lot of hassle going forward.

But as always, you need to approach this as a business transaction coupled with the fact of your history of reliability and proof of funds being able to purchase the property. Good luck.

I'm a previous landlord who sold to a sitting tenant and it was great! No fuss about waiting for tenant to move out, mess about with where they had painted walls navy blue and fuchsia , no having to clean it up for sale - do the paperwork and that was it! Use this as an advantage for yourself - remind LL of all of these aspects .

I've not read the whole thread so forgive me if I'm repeating advice already given but I would consider changing the locks. If they came and took pictures without your consent who's to say they won't conduct viewings without your knowledge and consent.

Only read OPS updates, but I was a LL for 14 years.

When it was time to sell, my lovely reliable tenant got first refusal & reduced rent while viewings/sale took place (there were only 2 viewings).

I'm more shocked about the 4years of condemned gas fire & shitty windows! Add on the fact he hasn't even told you he's selling, let alone given you your notice... What a bastard! He's clearly trying to keep you there as long as possible before serving notice to keep your rent coming in. Not on.

Agree with everyone else - it would be in his favour to let you buy. No period with an empty property, less faff doing final checks, getting it ready to sell, I'd guess he could also dodge the agent fee if you deal direct... It's a LL dream TBH. My house sold in 4 days, no chain, still took 3 months to complete - of course I'd rather have had the rent coming in until the day of the sale!

BUT I'd want you to offer 6m upfront, show me proof of deposit & get a mortgage offer agreed in principle.

Ask him if you can buy it.
Don't offer him more rent though.
Until you have an answer make sure anyone viewing know you're a tenant.
If he doesn't agree to you buying it then refuse viewings - they can't come in when you are out either. You'll need to be saving to buy elsewhere if he refuses.