Tenants making viewings difficult

[areweonabreak]

We have a flat that we rent out. It was my DH’s flat before we met. It’s been rented out for 10 years now (by only 2 tenants) but we’re now in a position where our own house needs a lot of money spending on it and we want to free up some capital.

we do feel bad for the current tenant, we offered them first refusal to buy the flat (it’s on the market for £90k) but they cannot afford it (even though a mortgage would probably be cheaper than the rent but they’d another thread)

we’ve had a few viewings now but all the feedback is that the tenants have told them that they don’t want to move so they’re put off as they don’t want the hassle.

we live about a 40 minute drive away from the flat so the agents are sorting out all of the viewings. The agents have suggested that it might be easier to sell if it’s empty.

We’re really not sure what to do, they’re on a rolling monthly contract at the moment.

has anyone else been in this position before?

would anyone else recommend selling as a vacant property?

Yep, including the comment about the tenants probably finding a mortgage cheaper than renting - was meant as a criticism of the system, and that’s the way I read it. Not so, some people - implying it was some sort of slur on the tenants when it wasn’t meant as anything of the sort.

I'm not jealous - I am happy with the house I own and live in.

I feel depressed when I read about young people stuck in the rent trap - but jealousy doesn't come into it, I have no young people of my own to worry about.

Tenants are paying for a roof over their head.
Go away.
You’re being so rude, and jealous

I have obviously touched a nerve with you somewhere!

That was not the problem . The viewings were taking place , it was what they said to prospective buyers.. so as they are only on a short rolling contract it seems the owner of the property has no choice but to give them notice .

I understood that you were criticising the system not the tenants. There are some really shitty comments on here. Ignore them. The mumsnet hatred against landlords is ridiculous. I would serve notice to evict the tenants. It will make it much easier to sell.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
if it makes you happy

Crikey OP, you've had more than your fair share on this thread haven't you!

Honestly, I would serve notice (assuming you can afford the mortgage / council tax payments etc if it takes a while to sell) and sell it empty.

I know plenty of accidental landlords; usually when a couple have both owned property, then moved into one and then tried (but failed) to sell the other property.

Not all landlords are greedy and heartless, in the same way not all tenants will become awkward and trash the place when they leave, just because they don't want to leave / are exercising their right to quiet enjoyment...

You’re coming across as really unpleasant. That does tend to get some people’s backs up.

People would be better to just roll their eyes at posters like this.

Someone mentioned OP that you’d need to pay council tax if property empty.
You can of course get council tax relief.

Some councils offer 6months free, some more. It does vary.

Be aware, long term empty properties will mean a higher ctax charge.
Again varies by council, could be double or triple ( that’s about 3yrs empty ). But councils are reasonable and if a prop is up for sale just keep them informed of what’s going on.

Are you advertising the property as having tenants in situ? If not you're attracting people who want to be owner occupiers, not BTL, and so won't be able to exchange until the property is vacant.

Sounds like a mismatch between viewer expectations and reality.

Well no, it’s not really about getting the rent for as long as possible, as much as being liable for the cost of maintaining it empty until it sells - including council tax if the LA don’t provide a discount.

Evict them, I couldn’t be doing with the hassle of renting any property to anyone

Very relevant. Our council provides a 50% CT discount on unoccupied properties for 6 months, after which full CT is payable. But, if the property is empty for more than two years, a 50% increase in CT is levied - which increases to 300% if it’s still unoccupied in 5 years.

I roll my eyes at people who dismiss any viewpoint other than their own as 'unpleasant'.

I think it’s already been established that the tenants couldn’t afford the deposit and meet bank requirements for a mortgage.

Your posted,

Good for them - hope they make it as difficult as possible.

Not really a viewpoint, just pure hatred and spite. Yes, I dismiss people like that.

What exactly is your problem ?

Hmm, yes, how dare the tenants stick up for themselves against the landlord, and how dare anyone express support for them?

Property-hoarding is my 'problem'.

Oh honey. Jealousy and bitterness is never a good look.

Give them notice, its your property, they sound unreasonable

It will be full CT if the LA doesn’t offer a discount - some do, some don’t, and it will be for a limited time. Our LA levies a 50% increase in CT for properties still vacant after 2 years and 300% after 5 years.

No, I think it’s pretty obvious what your real problem is. Bitterness and jealousy.

Of what do you suppose me to be jealous?