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Original poster

Tenants making viewings difficult

470 replies

areweonabreak · 03/03/2023 14:23

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?

OP posts:
SnackyOnassis · 03/03/2023 15:12

It's odd that they're in the house while viewings are taking place, when we've been tenants in this situation in the past we've always popped out for an hour as it's so awkward otherwise. Is that something your agent might be able to request of them?

ShandaLear · 03/03/2023 15:13

You really shouldn’t be trying to sell while they’re still in there.

2bazookas · 03/03/2023 15:14

Your selling agent should be telling all enquirers " At present the property has a rental tenant but they will be given notice, and it will be sold with vacant possession. "

Your tenants are not obliged to let viewers come to see it. But they should bear in mind that some potential buyers may intend BTL, so its in their interest to look like star tenants.

Interested in this thread?

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Aaron95 · 03/03/2023 15:15

Most buyers will be put off if there are still tennants in the property. No solicitor will allow a sale to go through until the property is vacant. If the tennants are still in residence, it means a minimum of 2 months delay beffore the sale can complete. If they dig their heels in and refuse to move out, they will still be in the property in 6 months time.

Who wants to offer on a house with that level of uncertainty?

Pemba · 03/03/2023 15:17

What position is the tenant in? Are they in employment? It does seem a shame that they can't afford to buy it at all as £90,000 is really on the low side, what region is this in?

Could you, like a pp has suggested, reduce the price or do anything to help them buy? I know as a pp said, they are not your kids but I am sure you as a decent person don't want them to be homeless. And the thing is, they obviously like living there. The market is not moving much so you may find it hard to find a buyer anyway. Someone in our family has been trying to sell a first time buyer type property since October, it is still on the market despite several price drops. First time buyers are wary, or can't get mortgages. Landlords and investors have practically disappeared from the market.

So if your tenants were helped a little by you to buy this might actually be in your interests as well as helping them.

Could it be they are just unused to the concept of buying, maybe all their family and friends rent etc?

NotAnotherBathBomb · 03/03/2023 15:24

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)

Ah yes, because all you need in order to buy a property is to have the money pay the mortgage.

Targetted · 03/03/2023 15:25

Aaron95 · 03/03/2023 15:15

Most buyers will be put off if there are still tennants in the property. No solicitor will allow a sale to go through until the property is vacant. If the tennants are still in residence, it means a minimum of 2 months delay beffore the sale can complete. If they dig their heels in and refuse to move out, they will still be in the property in 6 months time.

Who wants to offer on a house with that level of uncertainty?

You can sell a house with a tenant
Sometimes it's an advantage, it makes it more attractive to an investor if there's a ready tenant.

It does reduce the pool of potential buyers, but it's wrong to say it can't be done.

MoroccanRoseHChurch · 03/03/2023 15:26

I don’t get all the aggro responses and encouraging combative positions. I’ve got sympathy for you OP, your T’s current approach is going to mean both parties are pretty unhappy at the end.

As at least one other constructive poster has suggested, I’dve made a financial offer. If I was your tenant I would have asked for the final month to be rent free, asked for an assurance I’d get the deposit back and got on with finding somewhere new. But I’d rather accept reality instead of stamping my feet.

MaireadMcSweeney · 03/03/2023 15:28

SnackyOnassis · 03/03/2023 15:12

It's odd that they're in the house while viewings are taking place, when we've been tenants in this situation in the past we've always popped out for an hour as it's so awkward otherwise. Is that something your agent might be able to request of them?

They are under no obligation to clear out and personally I never did when viewings were going on - that's my home and my stuff. I want to see what's happening.

FeinCuroxiVooz · 03/03/2023 15:28

your tenant is entitled to quiet enjoyment of his home and is not required to act as sales agent for you and facilitate his own uprooting. until he's gone he doesn't even have to let viewings in - I wouldn't in his situation!

evict him and market the place empty, or save yourself the hassle and drop the price to what he can afford.

TheCraicDealer · 03/03/2023 15:33

I don't get it either. If the tenants don't want to do viewings they are entitled to refuse them, that's fair enough. OP is not forcing them. Instead of being upfront though, what they're doing is allowing viewings and then deliberately putting off potential buyers. That's not only wasting the time of the OP and the estate agent but also the people who turn up to view the property. I would not be rewarding that attitude by offering any discounts to them to put them in a position to buy the place. Instead I would giving them notice and remarket when it's vacant.

MamOfFive · 03/03/2023 15:34

You shouldn't try and sell while they are still living there paying rent. YABU and a shitty landlord.

Empty it first then sell.

Redebs · 03/03/2023 15:39

My daughter and her husband started renting a cottage and shortly after moving in were informed that the owner wanted to sell it. Having just moved in, they were extremely annoyed to be expected to accommodate viewings as well as managing their anxiety about finding somewhere to live.

It is an expense to move, get a rental deposit, references etc etc. Especially if you then have to do it all again a few months later. The owner just wanted a bit of income while it was on the market, regardless of messing with other people's lives.

Fortunately they did find somewhere, but the owner had to wait until they had moved out before they could arrange viewings.

It eventually sold as a holiday home for someone who only uses it for a few weeks a year.

screamingj · 03/03/2023 15:42

Give them good notice for an inspection by you. Video the whole place and use that for selling whilst going through eviction.

Auliza · 03/03/2023 15:43

Either give them notice or make it clear on the advert that you’re selling with tenants in situ. If I was your tenant I wouldn’t allow viewings as it’s putting them out and they’re paying the rent so not their problem.

Neither of you are being unreasonable but to give them notice or make it clear for investors would be best option.

OriginalUsername2 · 03/03/2023 15:45

I could never be a landlord. I couldn’t sleep at night making a family lose their home and show potential new occupants around. I know it’s business, I just couldn’t. I know how gutting it is on the other side.

Pigletnotatwiglet · 03/03/2023 15:45

Evict them and get on with selling your empty house. The loss in rent will be worth it when you get a quick sale.

kasho5 · 03/03/2023 15:45

We waited until our tenants left in similar circumstances. Our flat had also been let out for over 10 years and needed a quick spruce up before selling. It makes life a lot easier.

Aaron95 · 03/03/2023 15:46

MoroccanRoseHChurch · 03/03/2023 15:26

I don’t get all the aggro responses and encouraging combative positions. I’ve got sympathy for you OP, your T’s current approach is going to mean both parties are pretty unhappy at the end.

As at least one other constructive poster has suggested, I’dve made a financial offer. If I was your tenant I would have asked for the final month to be rent free, asked for an assurance I’d get the deposit back and got on with finding somewhere new. But I’d rather accept reality instead of stamping my feet.

People are getting annoyed because the OP doesn't understand their responsibilities or legal position as a landlord.

The tennants are within their rights to refuse all viewings until they have vacated the property. They do not have to allow anyone else into the house until that date (barring emergencies). It is called "quiet enjoyment" and is a well establised principle.

rwalker · 03/03/2023 15:49

There being arseholes
if they don’t want viewings then they should refuse

ask they them outright yes or no to viewings
but also if they say yes offer to waive notice period or when they get new place offer them few days free at end of tenancy to overlap with new rental making g move easier for them

x2boys · 03/03/2023 15:49

Redebs · 03/03/2023 15:39

My daughter and her husband started renting a cottage and shortly after moving in were informed that the owner wanted to sell it. Having just moved in, they were extremely annoyed to be expected to accommodate viewings as well as managing their anxiety about finding somewhere to live.

It is an expense to move, get a rental deposit, references etc etc. Especially if you then have to do it all again a few months later. The owner just wanted a bit of income while it was on the market, regardless of messing with other people's lives.

Fortunately they did find somewhere, but the owner had to wait until they had moved out before they could arrange viewings.

It eventually sold as a holiday home for someone who only uses it for a few weeks a year.

All of which has absolutely nothing to.do.with the Op,s situation

roarfeckingroarr · 03/03/2023 15:51

S21. Tomorrow. Or potentially a S8?

They're taking the piss OP. Mumsnet likes to think that tenants are the true owners of property but realistically they're scuppering your chances of selling. You gave them adequate notice and first refusal. Ultimately. it's your home to sell.

x2boys · 03/03/2023 15:51

Pemba · 03/03/2023 15:17

What position is the tenant in? Are they in employment? It does seem a shame that they can't afford to buy it at all as £90,000 is really on the low side, what region is this in?

Could you, like a pp has suggested, reduce the price or do anything to help them buy? I know as a pp said, they are not your kids but I am sure you as a decent person don't want them to be homeless. And the thing is, they obviously like living there. The market is not moving much so you may find it hard to find a buyer anyway. Someone in our family has been trying to sell a first time buyer type property since October, it is still on the market despite several price drops. First time buyers are wary, or can't get mortgages. Landlords and investors have practically disappeared from the market.

So if your tenants were helped a little by you to buy this might actually be in your interests as well as helping them.

Could it be they are just unused to the concept of buying, maybe all their family and friends rent etc?

The Op.isn't a charity .

Overthebloodymoon · 03/03/2023 15:52

Another accidental landlord who doesn’t know or understand the law.

Make sure you pay capital gains when you sell, won’t you OP?

DonnaBanana · 03/03/2023 15:53

Evict them. It's a nightmare as a buyer buying a place with tenants in because you can never be 100% sure they'll leave properly.

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