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Original poster

Landlord selling, but won’t sell to me

344 replies

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?

OP posts:
eyeses · 13/06/2025 16:34

FuckityFux · 13/06/2025 15:37

He’s shown that he’s not interested in playing fair.

In your shoes, I’d stay put until he gets an eviction notice via the courts and in the meantime, keep looking for a suitable property yo buy.

And that is exactly why he wants the tenant out asap before it goes on the market.
You are the problem.
The landlord is having to behave as if OP might be someone like you.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 13/06/2025 16:34

I’m not trying to rinse him or get a bargain. It’s just the fact that he will not engage one bit in the discussion

But again, OP, what discussion is there to be had since you're not currently in a position to buy?

Sunshineandoranges · 13/06/2025 16:35

You could suggest he gets a valuation from three estate agents. You could then offer the middle valuation. He would save agents fees and a rent void. It’s worth asking.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 13/06/2025 16:37

I think he’s bonkers! He’s got someone willing to buy the property from him and pay rent right up until the day of completion. He should be ripping your arm off. No estate agent fees to pay… no hassle. He just has to sit back and let the solicitors sort everything out.

Pinty · 13/06/2025 16:39

He isn't saying he won't sell it to you just that he wants to put it on the open market to get the best price he can. He is saying when it goes on teh market you can put in an offer like everyone else.
What he isn't doing is giving you priority which is a shame but probably understandable

Digdongdoo · 13/06/2025 16:42

Are people missing that OP seems to think that the house should be worth at least £50k than it's last valuation. Don't we think that discrepancy is likely relevant?

Pinty · 13/06/2025 16:42

Flora73 · 13/06/2025 13:18

But surely the sale price has an upper threshold which an estate agent would tell him. And he has to counter that with not getting any rebate income whilst it is empty?

Not really. A house is worth whatever anyone wants to pay for it.
My DS house was sold for more 30k over the asking price. If a house is in demand and goes to sealed bids it could go for anything

Studyunder · 13/06/2025 16:44

I completely get where you’re coming from and would be just as frustrated. However, he’s not interested for whatever reason so I’d definitely stop pursuing this. If he’s refusing to even discuss it further then I wouldn’t trust him as a seller. You’ve given him the chance of getting his house sold quickly but he’s not interested.
As a first time buyer you’re in a great position and other will be keen to get you, rather than be in a long chain. It’ll work out for the best in the long run.
Hope you find your forever home.

Pigeon31 · 13/06/2025 16:45

Make sure it looks really messy if anyone comes to view and tell them all the downsides.

When he can't sell at the price he wants, remind him of your offer.

Zone2NorthLondon · 13/06/2025 16:45

LL doesn’t want to sell to you. It’s a you thing, a tenant in situ thing.He wants to sell with no tenant, He’s told you explicitly that it’s a hard NO
Doesnt want to be in a position of expecting to sell to you, sale for whatever reason falls through. You’re still there as a sitting tenant and he needs to sell and arrange viewings
He wants a vacant home. No tenant. no hassle

Besides You aren’t in a position to buy right now anyway
crucially you’re way over invested

Stop prolonging this situation
Go find another house
Be someone else dream buyer

WhatdoesitmeanKeith · 13/06/2025 16:45

Hi @Flora73 just to check, what was it that you actually offered to the landlord? I noticed that you are not yet ready to buy, so what was the actual offer to them?

I can understand why they would turn down an offer to hold the property off the market for three or four months until you are ready. Sorry if I’ve missed anything in the comments that explains this.

You never know, it might not feel like it now, but it might be one of those blessing in disguise type situations. I hope you find a dream property, and end up being glad that this one didn’t work out!

Jollyjollyjollygoodie · 13/06/2025 16:46

Pigeon31 · 13/06/2025 16:45

Make sure it looks really messy if anyone comes to view and tell them all the downsides.

When he can't sell at the price he wants, remind him of your offer.

Oh for goodness sake, that’s just a disgusting thing to suggest. Are you six?

Pigeon31 · 13/06/2025 16:50

Jollyjollyjollygoodie · 13/06/2025 16:46

Oh for goodness sake, that’s just a disgusting thing to suggest. Are you six?

Show quote history

No. It's actually how I bought my first flat. It wasn't really planned per se, just I was talking to the estate agent about viewing and mentioned casually that I'd have made an offer if I could and they said there hadn't been much interest and encouraged me to go for it.

Your view on disgusting is a bit out there. Disgusting would be trashing the place IMO. Not just a bit of mess and putting off the competition.

Zone2NorthLondon · 13/06/2025 16:52

Pigeon31 · 13/06/2025 16:45

Make sure it looks really messy if anyone comes to view and tell them all the downsides.

When he can't sell at the price he wants, remind him of your offer.

⬆️ BOOM! There it is. Reason he want tenant out. Sitting tenant can potentially sabotage a sale. He needs you gone. Batshit recommendation. You literally need to leave

FancyAnxiety · 13/06/2025 16:53

Someone in my family had a similar situation (as the LL) and the tenant offered a very lowball offer, said they wanted to buy but didn’t have a MiP or anything ready to go (and said they needed a month to get a mortgage in principal and deposit?!) and kept accusing the LL of having ulterior motives and not actually wanting to sell. It was unhinged so the LL ceased contact and served a S21. House sold within months for a lot more.

ttcat37 · 13/06/2025 16:54

I don’t think it’s suspicious to want to market the property and get as much as possible? It’s common for houses to go well over the asking price. Who knows what it could go for until he starts inviting bids for it? Lots of houses go to sealed bids and go for 10s of thousands more than asking when 2 people both really want it.

Middlechild3 · 13/06/2025 16:54

He'll be decorating, new carpets etc, maximising the price as he's already said. He can't do this with you there, he can't maximise selling price with a tenant in situ. You can still try to buy it on the open market. He is playing fair. It's an asset he wants to maximise profit. He's not being unfair, you can still apply to buy it when it's for sale.

LBFseBrom · 13/06/2025 16:58

He won't sell to you because he can get a lot more without a tenant.

I think a tenant should have first refusal and a landlord accept a lower price but, as you say, it's his house so there's not much you can do about it. I am sorry and do hope you find somewhere good soon.

Jollyjollyjollygoodie · 13/06/2025 16:59

I stand by what I said and there’s the very reason he wants the tenant out, @Pigeon31

samG76 · 13/06/2025 17:01

I think you should ask for a lump sum to leave with no fuss.

FieldInWhichFucksAreGrownIsBarren · 13/06/2025 17:02

We've just sold a rental property where we had to evict the tenant as she wouldn't move out. Load of fucking hassle.
Had she offered the asking price to buy the house we would have absolutely accepted as it's so much easier.

Ferguson0909 · 13/06/2025 17:02

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.

Why is it greed when the landlord wants the best price he can? Stop being ridiculous.
Why should he give money to his tenant?

Zone2NorthLondon · 13/06/2025 17:02

LBFseBrom · 13/06/2025 16:58

He won't sell to you because he can get a lot more without a tenant.

I think a tenant should have first refusal and a landlord accept a lower price but, as you say, it's his house so there's not much you can do about it. I am sorry and do hope you find somewhere good soon.

What? You think LL take a lower price from tenant out of misplaced sentimentality. Utter mince
It’s a transaction. To maximise profits and make the asset appealing to multiple buyers

Middlechild3 · 13/06/2025 17:03

FuckityFux · 13/06/2025 15:37

He’s shown that he’s not interested in playing fair.

In your shoes, I’d stay put until he gets an eviction notice via the courts and in the meantime, keep looking for a suitable property yo buy.

And that attitude nails why the landlord wants the tenant out before it's marketed!

Ferguson0909 · 13/06/2025 17:04

samG76 · 13/06/2025 17:01

I think you should ask for a lump sum to leave with no fuss.

well she could do that. Or she could just move out so the landlord does not have to take her to court where she would probably have to pay court costs or damage her credit rating.
good advice from someone with a business brain

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