Page 11 | Landlord selling, but won’t sell to me

BreastInShow85 · 14/06/2025 17:55

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

Laura95167 · 14/06/2025 18:07

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 13/06/2025 13:16

Greed? He wants the highest price and he's more likely to get that without a tennant.

You could point out to him that a sale to you would mean it all went rather quickly and no chain.

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

Blablibladirladada · 14/06/2025 18:53

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.

GiveDogBone · 14/06/2025 18:58

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 13/06/2025 13:16

Greed? He wants the highest price and he's more likely to get that without a tennant.

You could point out to him that a sale to you would mean it all went rather quickly and no chain.

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.

SparklyLeader · 14/06/2025 19:12

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

LBFseBrom · 14/06/2025 19:19

GiveDogBone · 14/06/2025 18:58

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.

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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.

HarrietHedgehog · 14/06/2025 19:55

Flora73 · 13/06/2025 13:14

After 11 months in the house, my landlord has issued a section 21, my contract rather conveniently contained a break clause so he can do this earlier than the 12 month mark.

I have a mortgage in principle, I’ve been looking for somewhere to buy but he has rejected this and said I still have to leave as they want to maximise the sale price. He has even said that I move out and he will let me know which agent it is on with so I can purchase it that way. It just seems utterly bonkers.

And before anyone lays into me I am fully aware that it is his house and he can do what he likes, and I have no rights, but I can’t work out why he won’t sell to me. We’ve had a good relationship to date with no issues.

Can anyone thing of reasons why this would be?

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.

Yayhelen · 14/06/2025 20:10

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.

blueshoes · 14/06/2025 20:20

Offer 1k extra what he wants and see.

Doubt anyone will get out of bed for 1K.

TwinklySquid · 14/06/2025 20:29

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.

sassyclassyandsmartassy · 14/06/2025 20:36

Changedforthetoday · 13/06/2025 13:22

Unless it was a private rent it could also be that the agents he let it through have something in their contract which says if a sitting tenant buys the property they have to pay a fee to the letting agent for “finding” the tenant. We have something similar in the contract for our rental property.

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.

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/06/2025 20:54

Flora73 · 13/06/2025 18:26

Yes it would be easier and what I think I will do now.

my parents have offered the reminder of the deposit I would need, hence being able to do it now. But I would rather be able to do it myself which would take another few months.

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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

LilySLE · 14/06/2025 20:55

eyeses · 13/06/2025 16:20

The government is bringing in new laws this year to make being a small landlord much more risky, expensive and difficult. The result is landlords selling up while they still can. If your landlord doesn't get you out before October he might not be able to. If you are not out when the peoperty is listed buyers will be wary of being unable to get you to move out. It happens.

This has resulted in a glut of houses to buy and fewer properties to rent. Most people who rent cannot or don't want to buy. It's a lose/lose situation....except for the big landlords who can spread their risk, and maybe buy up some of that property for less.

And why shouldn't he want to maximise the price? Hands up who wouldn't want to do that!

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?

llizzie · 14/06/2025 20:57

Flora73 · 13/06/2025 13:14

After 11 months in the house, my landlord has issued a section 21, my contract rather conveniently contained a break clause so he can do this earlier than the 12 month mark.

I have a mortgage in principle, I’ve been looking for somewhere to buy but he has rejected this and said I still have to leave as they want to maximise the sale price. He has even said that I move out and he will let me know which agent it is on with so I can purchase it that way. It just seems utterly bonkers.

And before anyone lays into me I am fully aware that it is his house and he can do what he likes, and I have no rights, but I can’t work out why he won’t sell to me. We’ve had a good relationship to date with no issues.

Can anyone thing of reasons why this would be?

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.
xxxxxxxxx

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.

LilySLE · 14/06/2025 21:07

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.

CommonAsMucklowe · 14/06/2025 21:07

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.

DustyMaiden · 14/06/2025 21:13

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.

hot2G0000w · 14/06/2025 21:14

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.

Avidreader12 · 14/06/2025 21:16

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.

Ninkynonkpinkyponks · 14/06/2025 21:16

hyggetyggedotorg · 13/06/2025 13:18

He doesn’t want to have a tenant in situ for viewings? It sounds like he/she wants to do some work to the property before listing too if they’re talking about maximising the sale price.

This…!

CuarloDeFonza · 14/06/2025 21:18

Your offer being dependent obviously, but he would be MUCH better off selling to you, this is why?
*He would avoid ridiculous Estate Agent fees
*He will have to pay the mortgage every month with an empty property
*He will also have to pay council tax, gas+electric and water
*The average house takes about 12 wks on market and another 12wks to complete
*He will be paying half the year with no income from the rent.
Make him an offer based on that context, see what he says, btw I'm going through a sale right and approaching 4k loss so far. Madness

Firethehorse · 14/06/2025 21:29

With the imminent rule changes the landlord has no choice but to ask you to leave now. He will no longer have surety of access to his own property if your need is deemed to be greater than his. These changes are not acceptable to most private landlords hence why so many tenancies are being terminated now.

jennikr · 14/06/2025 21:49

Interesting to see how few people actually have any emotions or morals and can only think of profit. It all seems sensible and reasonable if you ignore the actual person living in the house who is being told they have to leave their home and can't buy it.

BooneyBeautiful · 14/06/2025 22:04

IwasDueANameChange · 13/06/2025 13:22

It is much harder to sell a house with a tenant in situe.

He needs you out or he won't get as much interest.

Yes, DS and his fiancee bought a house last year with sitting tenants who were due to move out. They were able to go on the Council waiting list, so technically couldn't move until the Council housed them or they got to the eviction date, whichever came first. Any other option would have rendered them intentionally homeless. Fortunately, they moved out just before DS's mortgage offer expired, but it was touch and go for quite a few weeks

PyongyangKipperbang · 14/06/2025 22:10

BooneyBeautiful · 14/06/2025 22:04

Yes, DS and his fiancee bought a house last year with sitting tenants who were due to move out. They were able to go on the Council waiting list, so technically couldn't move until the Council housed them or they got to the eviction date, whichever came first. Any other option would have rendered them intentionally homeless. Fortunately, they moved out just before DS's mortgage offer expired, but it was touch and go for quite a few weeks

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I asbolutely hate that this the requirement. Literally on the streets before anyone will help.

Families having to live with all their belongings packed up, potentially to go into temp accom, could be miles away from kids schools etc. Its inhumane to do that to people. I worked with someone this happened to when she was young. Her father fucked off with his side piece and mum couldnt afford the rent on her own and got evicted when she claimed housing benefit. Its affected her ever since, her fear of losing her home and not having that stability led to her becoming ill working so hard to be able to buy her own place.