Landlord showing around buyers in our family home flat :(

[Dragontale]

Our landlord wants to sell our flat. We've been here 16 years and are raising our children here.

Firstly, we'd actually like to buy it ourselves and it would be possible for us financially. The reason we didn't ask to buy it was that we didn't realise it was up for sale.

We're gutted. I'd really like some advice from you please.

How can we get the potential buyer to pull out? We'd like to buy the flat ourselves without going into a bidding war.

Not sure if this makes a difference but the landlord is an investment fund, not a private BTL landlord.

AIBU to think we could get the landlord to sell to us instead? And if you know what we could do please let me know

Also be aware that if your lettings Agent is also the Selling Agent it may be in their interest for you NOT to buy it as they will not be the introducer so may not get comission on a sale

A really important thing is NOT to speak to the estate agent marketing the flat. If you have any contact with them whatsoever, the owner will almost certainly have to pay the estate agent commission on any sale to you (which will be £££). Your big advantage over other potential buyers is that you have a legitimate, direct line of contact to the owner. Use this to make them an offer. If they dont have to pay the estate agent or letting agent commission (depends on their contract with them) you could potentially be much cheaper for the owner to sell to.

And why would a Landlord want to engage in a sale with the tenants who are deliberately acting in bad faith? Yes, you don't have to let anyone in, even if the contract specifically states notice periods for access for reasonable maintenance (boiler inspections, repairs etc) but don't be surprised of the agents/landlords just decide to not renew your tenancy and then sell the place when vacant.

Are you sure they're viewing because they want to sell? Seems like a strange thing for a property fund to do.
Also, I you don't have to allow viewings (for a property on the market) but if they landlord wants to check that the property is being adequately maintained and lived in by the tenants they have an agreement with etc- to make sure you're not subletting/doing anything dodgy then you'd have to allow that at your convenience.

I would avoid directly refusing viewings, or they could give you notice to move. Call back to whoever asked about the viewing. Tell them that you are interested in buying yourself and while you get sorted to proceed, you would prefer no viewings. If it isn't listed anywhere, do you know the asking price and whether you can afford it? Do you have a mortgage in principle? If you can and do, I would just offer the asking price in exchange for it being kept off the market.

Don't do this
You can't be given notice for refusing viewings its a legal right.
Also as a couple of people said above if the managing agent is selling it they may not get commission on a sale to you so be cautious. Ideally you would contact the owner if thats possible

thank you so much for your replies 💐💐💐 I appreciate the advice you've shared!

We're going to call our contact at the landlord this lunchtime to find out about the asking price and to tell them that we can't do a viewing tomorrow due to illness (our 6 year old has Covid and is off school today).

We're not going to obstruct any sale but I'm glad to have some plan of action. I was upset because I felt like we're just giving up our dream home and family home without a fight.

someone said it's odd a fund would sell and I say yes we also find it odd but here goes...

Put in an offer that is successful and soon.

The agent who manages the property will almost inevitably get commission on a sale to the tenant. If that's the agent who is selling, I'd contact them as it's much easier for them to sell it to you than try and find a buyer.

When you speak to the landlord, I'd just say that you love the flat and had been wondering if you'd sell it so please will they sell to you. If you start saying that you're disappointed they didn't speak to you, they might feel on the back foot and not want to speak to you about it.

we have a personal contact at the landlord's. I think it's best not to get involved with the agent at all.

They can decide give you notice so they can sell vacant. It isn't about refusing viewings so much as being reasonable because you want something from the landlord. It is how you word it. Being all arsey and quoting your rights isn't the best way to convince someone to sell to you!

We're not planning to obstruct viewings in bad faith.

@Moveoverdarlin thank you for the script! Appreciate it

thanks for the link!

and yes, this is what happened: we've been contacted by LL asking if someone can view your flat with a view to it being sold

This.

Tell them youre i terested in buying!

Guys, the estate agent gets paid regardless of where the buyer came from.

It's in the contract, - if it sells within xx weeks, commission is due to the Estate Agent.

Who is the message from if not your LL? I am wondering if it is agents wanting to view in order to value the property before it goes on the market. Hopefully you will get some clarity when you call the LL. it seems a bit inconsiderate of them to put the flat on the market and not tell you / explain if the plan is to sell the flat with sitting tenants or for you to have to leave.

Have you tried to find the ad on Rightmove? Maybe they're sending an agent round to value it rather than a potential buyer?

Depends on the contract. If it states they get commission on any buyer rather than a buyer they introduce then yes they will but its not certain without knowing what the contract says.
Usually if an owner finds their own buyer the Agent gets nothing

You are entitled, by law, to the “quiet enjoyment of your home.”

You can tell them “No more intrusive viewings thanks.”

I am a Landlord, so I know this.

Stand your ground. It’s your home!!

Meanwhile , contact the agency urgently and tell them that you want to buy. Be quick!

We were in exactly the same situation with our old flat. Do not talk to the estate agent, talk to the landlord directly. Be aware that when the estate agent finds out they will try to convince the landlord they will get much more for it by putting it on the market. They can be very persuasive (and are often full of BS!).

You need to convince the landlord that it'll be far easier and safer for them to sell to you than deal with the hassle of getting you out and managing an external sale that could fall through at any minute. The estate agents will try to thwart you in these efforts as they want the commission for themselves so be prepared!

The landlord will save money by not having to evict you, redecorate etc. so you are a good candidate. Good luck!

Ask the ll what the asking price is, if its not on any selling sites it might be a private sale. Make sure you get a valuation, you don't want to make an offer unless you know how much its worth.

The OP's queries have been responded to, but in answer to the question why a fund may be selling: they may be moving out of residential property to concentrate on commercial; they may not want to have outlier single properties in an area due to management difficulties/costs; they may only want properties of a certain size/value/age in their portfolio. There are many more reasons too.

It actually sounds as though it could be an estate agent coming to view rather than a potential buyer.