Landlord selling, but won’t sell to me

But the OP hasn’t said they have agreed a price with the landlord. OP hasn’t got a valuation and therefore they may be big discrepancy between what OP wants to offer to buy and what landlord thinks will achieve on open market not sure why so many saying the landlord is stupid not to sell to OP surely it’s obviously about getting the best price via a sale.

The definition of greed is to have an intense desire for material gain - that is exactly what it sounds like this selfish fucker LL has.

It's the OP's home, and she doesn't want to move. Hopefully she can slow it down until after the renter's reform bill is passed and then she won't have to. Nobody should be forced to leave their home if they don't want to, and someone else making a profit doesn't change that - nobody has a moral right to make money from hoarding something that both in finite supply and necessary for a tolerable existence.

The landlord, from their position of power, should try and minimise the suffering they inflict on a tenant (a human being, not just a machine for lining his pockets). It sounds like the best way for him to not be a c**t in this situation would be to sell them the property to OP for whatever they can afford now, or not sell it until the tenant is ready to buy it.

It makes no sense at all . He has a buyer, no estate agent fees. No chain. No loss of rental income. Either he’s an idiot or he’s lying about why he wants you out.

Landlord a couple of doors down from me did this. He asked the family to leave and they asked if they could buy it. He said no so they bought something else. The house has sat on the market for months now at a silly price (it's a tiny end of terrace). We also know from a friend that he doesn't even have a mortgage on it. Just a greedy guy, such a shame because the family were really nice.

It has been alluded to a bit further up but there is legislation in its final stages of the Parliamentary process which is expected to pass in the next month or so. That legislation will abolish s21 notices, so if the landlord delays he won’t then be able to serve one on you. Although there are grounds on which he could still recover possession, including if he wanted to sell, the whole process is going to be much much harder and take much longer than if he does it now. I would be willing to bet that this is the real reason.

At the risk of the birds of prey jumping on me for copying and pasting the information, rather than risk changing the sense by using my own words, the following might be helpful. You could ask him if you move out will it go on the open market. He could be lying, of course.
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Complexity and Risk:
Managing the sale process with a sitting tenant can be more complex, requiring careful handling of legal documents, tenancy agreements, and potential negotiations with the tenant.

If the tenant is uncooperative or refuses viewings, it can further complicate the sale and potentially devalue the property.

Some lenders may be hesitant to provide mortgages for properties with sitting tenants, particularly those with regulated tenancies.

Benefits of selling to a sitting tenant:
Quick sale:
Selling to a sitting tenant can be faster and easier than going through the process of evicting the tenant and finding a new buyer.
No void period:
The landlord doesn't experience a void period where the property is empty and not generating income.
Potential for higher offers from experienced landlords:
Some experienced landlords or property investors might see the sitting tenant as an advantage, as they are already generating income and might be willing to pay a premium.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to sell to a sitting tenant or not depends on the specific circumstances, including the type of tenancy agreement, the tenant's cooperation, the buyer pool, and the desired speed and price of the sale.

I’ve been tracking the Renters’ Rights Bill quite closely - I’m interested that you refer to Oct as a key date? Can you share why?

If all is stopping you buying now is the deposit - which ma and pa have offered to help you - then go for it

accept their help. Tell ll that you have the sepsis. Get a mortgage in principal and find out the price

it does seem strange it won’t sell to you and have to move out to buy

maybe he wants to see what price he can get from offers

Just as an FYI to this…. It’s an unenforceable contract term. The OFT told us agents a long time ago that you could honour this in a contract and, of you did, it would be an unfair term in consumer trading.

Why does he think you’ll move somewhere else for a few months then move back? That’s mad.

I would start looking at other properties you can buy now. I’d be letting the landlord know that you won’t be rushed and will move when you have secured somewhere else.

Offer 1k extra what he wants and see.

Doubt anyone will get out of bed for 1K.

Do you think he wants to do work on it to make it more attractive to buyers? This could explain it, if his plan is to tart it up to get more money.

He’s already told you why. My son rented a house for 10 years and the landlord offered to sell to him at a very favourable price because (a) he’d been a good tenant for many years and (b) the landlord wanted a quick sale.

There have to be advantages for both sides in order to make a deal like the one you are proposing.

I agree, it isn't greedy to want the best price possible. We must also remember the op has been a tenant for less than a year.

He's hoping, or the agent told him, it will go to bid. He's seeking a bidding war.

Greed? How is it greedy to sell something you own for the most you can? Or to put another way, can I buy your house off you for 10% less than you could get elsewhere. No, didn’t think so.

He told you, he wants more. He wants to play competition.

the market is dripping down at the moment (except super location of course) so he won’t get the super price he wants, again, depending where you are.

Offer 1k extra what he wants and see. If it is a highly desirable place then offer more. If you can’t, then you need to find another house in your budget and fast.

It's not greed it's good sense. He doesn't want to settle for less than he can get he doesn't owe his tenant a bargain

Pitch it as he’ll save on estate agent fees if he sells directly to you

Sounds like he thinks can do it up a bit and make some more money on the open market as it his right. Move out and bid on it when it’s marketed.

Yep. If I'd relied on the Zoopla estimate and tried to save money by selling without an estate agent, I'd have sold for 20% less than the price I actually got. Also, the estate agent was invaluable when my buyer tried to gazunder me at the last minute, then when that failed, he demanded all my white goods for free! And this was in 2021, when it was very much a sellers' market.

If you bought it, he wouldn’t need to pay estate agency fees, which might be a good incentive for him to sell to you?

This. Move out. Then if you want to buy it just put in an offer with the EA he is using.

Well I am with you @Flora73 I dont get it either.

Former DP (we didnt live together by choice) had this. His LL wanted to sell but wouldnt countenance an offer from him, he had to leave as she could get more money that way. So he did. Ended up getting a better house in a nicer area. About 6 months after it being on the market, the ex LL contacted him asking him if he was still interested in buying. He took great pleasure in telling her to jog on! 18 months of the house standing empty (hell yes, I did keep an eye on it!) it was back on the rental market. So not only did she lose out on a guaranteed sale, she also lost out on 18 months worth of rent.

How would you know if you haven't tried to sell it?