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Original poster

Our landlord wants to sell! :( what's the rules?

94 replies

ghostcake · 22/09/2020 15:57

Hi all,
Yes, still renting, for my sins!!
Single mum, two kids & we love our home. Landlord wants to sell to buy a place in another part of the U.K. they want it 'sorted asap'
I've googled a lot today (feeling really sad) and it looks like they have to give us 6 months notice from when written notice is given? Does anyone know if this is definitely right? Even if they're selling? And then if it goes on the market & someone buys it they'd get 'sitting tenants' aka US? 🧐

OP posts:
Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 22/09/2020 16:01

IIRC, yes, it's 6 months written notice. And make sure it's the proper written notice. You do not have to allow any viewings. His desire to sort it asap is not your problem.

Original poster
ghostcake · 22/09/2020 16:11

Thanks @Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd
Really appreciate your reply 💚
What's IIRC?

OP posts:
Gancanny · 22/09/2020 16:14

There are details here on how much notice but yes, six months and they can't boot you out earlier if it sells in the meantime.

www.gov.uk/private-renting-tenancy-agreements/your-landlord-wants-to-end-your-tenancy

You have the right to refuse viewings no matter what the tenancy agreement says, ditto anyone wanting to "measure up" or take photos or any other reason.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Property legal advice
Reddog1 · 22/09/2020 16:17

That must have been a shock OP. Sorry.

Your use of the phrase “for my sins” implies that you feel it’s somewhat shameful to be renting. Honestly, it’s not. You have rights. Don’t let the owner boss you about just cos he wants to sell quickly. You don’t have to allow viewings and you need written notice by law.

CountessFrog · 22/09/2020 16:17

And this is why people are reluctant to buy a ‘buy to let.’

Honestly, you love your home, but you don’t own it. And I totally ‘get’ that it sucks, but it’s unfair to prevent the person who does own the house from selling it.

I don’t own a BTL but I was considering it. I’d be a great landlord, I’d give more than six months notice, I’d be fair, I’d want my tenant to be happy with their home, I’d want it to be a good place to live. I like to think I’m sorted enough to give a years notice, but you don’t know what life will throw at you.

How shitty then would it be for my tenant to start blocking me being able to sell my own house if I needed or even just wanted to.

MissEliza · 22/09/2020 16:20

Tbh, the landlord will struggle to sell with tenants in place, unless he finds someone who wants to take on a buy to let. Therefore, he won't be able to rush things along, no matter what he thinks.

Gancanny · 22/09/2020 16:20

Honestly, you love your home, but you don’t own it. And I totally ‘get’ that it sucks, but it’s unfair to prevent the person who does own the house from selling it.

That's part and parcel of being a landlord. The tenant has a right to quiet enjoyment, they don't own the building but it is their home and they are paying for exclusive use of it. It is unfair to expect someone to open up their home to strangers at their own inconvenience.

WheresTheEvidence · 22/09/2020 16:21

I'm also going through this.

I had a post

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4024405-Renting-Notice-and-Viewings

Yes its 6 months notice from when they give you a specific form.

safariboot · 22/09/2020 16:23

Your landlord can sell it tenanted. The new owner becomes your new landlord. Your tenancy carries on and there are some limitations on the new landlord raising the rent.

If your landlord wants you to leave, they have to go through the usual process. They don't get any shortcuts just because they want to sell. Likewise any new owner doesn't get any shortcuts to evict you.

Your landlord or their agent cannot do viewings without your consent. A lot of agents will try it so watch out.

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 22/09/2020 16:26

And this is why people are reluctant to buy a ‘buy to let.’

Honestly, you love your home, but you don’t own it. And I totally ‘get’ that it sucks, but it’s unfair to prevent the person who does own the house from selling it.

So what if she doesn't own it? She's paying for the hire of the space. She doesn't owe the landlord a thing other than the rent and normal upkeep of the property she's buying a dwell in. She's not here to facilitate his life, but to see to her own best interests the same as he is doing.

It's 6 months notice now. If that scuppers his plans, too bad. That's not her lookout.

The fewer people who 'buy to let', the better. Housing is an essential commodity and should not be seen as an investment vehicle.

Original poster
ghostcake · 22/09/2020 16:27

Thanks for all your replies & reassurance.
@CountessFrog I'm absolutely not trying to make things difficult for my landlord, just checking out if I'm understanding things correctly. Not trying to block anything.

OP posts:
MrsAmaretto · 22/09/2020 16:31

Where in the uK are you the law is different in the different countries

Original poster
ghostcake · 22/09/2020 16:34

@MrsAmaretto England

OP posts:
Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 22/09/2020 16:36

Do click on the link to that thread there was some really good info on it. Contact Shelter, too.

MrsAmaretto · 22/09/2020 16:37

The link from Cangenny is correct and your local CAB will also be able to advise. I think Shelter can too?

EvilPea · 22/09/2020 16:39

From one renter to another.
I’m sorry Flowers

Good luck in your search for a new place

Choosingmyring · 22/09/2020 16:39

OP we had a really hard time of it when our landlords sold. The relationship really really soured. I understood that they wanted to sell their property but it was my home that I was paying good money for and the way we were treated was just appalling.

We basically had no say in when they did viewings even though we had two very young children and the phone calls we got were just awful. It was a terrible thing to go through and we looked into taking them to court for non-protection of deposit purely out of spite really. We didn’t and I now actually wish we had.

Basically my ramble is saying be prepared for any good relations to go and do not let them treat you like shit. We didn’t have to put up with what we did but we did because we were young and a bit scared. I now regret that.

yawnsvillex · 22/09/2020 16:40

How do you know the landlord can't pay the mortgage and the place would be repossessed?

I assume you also want a reference?

ScabbyHorse · 22/09/2020 16:42

I've just been through similar and I feel your pain. It's been on the market for a while now and I've only had two viewings. Have found somewhere else quite quickly but kind of wish I hadn't rushed now.

TheQueef · 22/09/2020 16:44

@Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd

And this is why people are reluctant to buy a ‘buy to let.’

Honestly, you love your home, but you don’t own it. And I totally ‘get’ that it sucks, but it’s unfair to prevent the person who does own the house from selling it.

So what if she doesn't own it? She's paying for the hire of the space. She doesn't owe the landlord a thing other than the rent and normal upkeep of the property she's buying a dwell in. She's not here to facilitate his life, but to see to her own best interests the same as he is doing.

It's 6 months notice now. If that scuppers his plans, too bad. That's not her lookout.

The fewer people who 'buy to let', the better. Housing is an essential commodity and should not be seen as an investment vehicle.

It should be heavily licenced. No one should own someone's home as an investment. It's bonkers to encourage every Shirley, Dave and Betty to have a BTL when they have no clue how to be a LL.
Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 22/09/2020 16:44

You do have a say when it comes to viewings. You can even change the lock barrels to prevent pushy agents coming in without notice (you do have to put the original ones back in upon leaving, however).

I'd just send a message back linking the relevant legislation and notice requirements.

SpookyNoise · 22/09/2020 16:49

I’m sorry you’re going through this - it really sucks.
We had the same about 18 months ago, and the landlady of that place made our lives hell.
We’ve been in our new place for 18 months, and now this landlady wants to sell up, following the breakdown of her relationship.
I hate the fact that I can’t offer my son a stable home.

movingonup20 · 22/09/2020 16:50

It does also depend on your tenancy agreement, if you have less than 6 months on your tenancy then they only have to give you that (minimum 2 months) to say they are not renewing the tenancy

Batshitbeautycosmeticsltd · 22/09/2020 16:54

@movingonup20

It does also depend on your tenancy agreement, if you have less than 6 months on your tenancy then they only have to give you that (minimum 2 months) to say they are not renewing the tenancy
The legislation's been temporarily changed due to Covid.
Gancanny · 22/09/2020 16:54

How do you know the landlord can't pay the mortgage and the place would be repossessed?

Even if that was the case, the tenant still has rights and the lender would need a court order to take possession of the property. The tenant can apply to the court to be part of the repossession proceedings and can ask for the eviction to be delayed.

I assume you also want a reference?

The landlord cannot base their reference on whether or not the tenant allowed viewings and cannot use the threat of withholding a reference (or giving a bad reference) as a way to get access to the property. They can refuse to give a reference when contacted by future landlords but the tenant can explain why ("they were really awkward about us leaving") and provide alternative references so it's a fairly empty threat anyway.

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