To ask how to make rental flat less likely to sell?

[RainingPasta]

My son and his girlfriend have been renting a nice flat for the past couple of years but the LL now wants to sell it. They haven’t officially been given notice yet so it looks like the agent will be conducting viewings while they still live there.

They will still keep it clean and tidy but they are wondering if there is anything else they could do to make it less appealing. I suggested removing all their homely touches like cushions, rugs and pictures so it looks cold and bare but I’m not sure if that is a good idea?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. They want to delay the sale and might even be able to buy it themselves if it goes down enough in price.

You do gets irs nearly Nov right, as such delaying 4 months would be perfect as little sells right now due to time of year and economic climate? Selling in the early spring would be rhe best time,

damage their relationship with the landlord even further? I think you are getting confused as they are model tenants.

We are obviously due a prize then for assisting the landlord in getting the best price for his property. Not so despicable after all?

I'm so confused 😂 what are you saying is not accurate about the post you called 'the bleeding obvious ' then turned into not an accurate reflection of what is happening

The landlord wants to sell
The tenants don't want landlord to sell
If tenants try to stop landlord from being able to sell the property even through petty means to make viewings more difficult or make the place look more unappealing then landlord will likely serve notice quicker on the tenants and be unlikely to get a good reference in the future

Tenants could accept that they will be served notice and look for a new rental now and serve notice themselves or wait for landlord to serve notice on them

That is what I've understood from the thread, let me know what is not accurate. But it very much seems like you're trying to get tips on making the place unappealing to buyers, the landlord will not be impressed if he gets feedback from potential buyers that there are mouse traps around the property or it's absolutely freezing (likely to be minimum temperature in the tenancy agreement) etc. landlord will be rightly annoyed and serve notice. If you're happy for your son to risk that, then carry on

Are you just repeating suggestions from other posters?

Are you just burying your head in the sand and trying to give poor advice to your son that could result in the situation backfiring on him?

I'm afraid soft furnishings, or lack of, are never the clincher in a property sale.

Price, location, structural condition are what swing every deal.

Unfortunately, no amount of bare floorboards, stark sofas or even unflushed turds will have any effect if it's on sale at market price.

But I do actually sympathise with your DS.
Mine is in the same situation. It's crap and sorry situation that getting on the property ladder as we knew did years ago is an unthinkable, unrealistic prospect for so many young people.

I really doubt that removing the cosy touches around the flat will make an measurable difference in the likelihood of it selling. It will only make more work for them if they plan to put everything back after every viewing—or make it less comfortable for them in the meantime, if they just leave things put away until the price magically goes down.

They're better off accepting right away that they'll probably need to move soon and looking for another realistic option, if they can't afford to pay what the flat would cost them to buy.

Turn off the heating to make it
feel cold. Crack the windows ever so slightly
so It feels draughty. Remove lamps so they have to use overhead lights that look dingy. Make sure to have some wilting flowers so it smells funky but easy to get rid of after the viewing. Plenty of dirty dishes on the sink.
drying washing out in the bedroom.
plenty of things out of cupboards so storage looks bad (suitcases etc on top of wardrobes, shoes by the door)

You sound even more despicable than me @Leopardspota. How can you sleep at night?

Good way to get them served notice immediately, the agent feeding back they are not heating it, it’s dirty and smells. There isn’t a landlord in existence who won’t immediately serve,

lol don’t worry, I’m just thinking of what would put you off buying a house that aren’t size/price/condition!

No landlord could evict a tenant for putting off buyers! No fault evictions are illegal and no eviction can go ahead without VERY good reason, agreed with by a judge.

The landlord can give notice if they are planning on selling it. If they start messing around trying to do things to put buyers off, the landlord can serve notice on the basis they are trying to sell the property. It sounds like the landlord is willing to let them stay until property is sold but if they start messing around they are within their rights to give notice

I think I will attend viewings myself as a PP suggested and follow them round having a one way conversation with the voice in my head.

@RainingPastathis post LITERALLY gives you the advice you were seeking in your OP. It’s hilarious you’re now trying to take the moral high ground.

I have reported this thread, BTW. Whether MNHQ decides to delete it is another matter but immoral behaviour like you’re encouraging really shouldn’t be broadcast.

You should have at least read the op, the landlord is planning on selling, they can serve notice as they intend to sell, no one is suggesting they serve notice for putting off buyers as the reason lol

If you both work 35 hours a week for minimum wage, you'd be entitled to £1500 of UC per month which would bring your take-home income to £4862.

How am I encouraging immoral behaviour?

Good luck with that when landlord gives your son notice immediately after due to your actions. I'm sure he'll be super impressed with your 'help'

It is pure arseholery deliberately to try to cause the LL extra hassle by trying to sabotage the LL’s commercial wish. This is just not the right way to behave.

Seriously: seek another flat.

I didn’t think it needed pointing out that I wasn’t actually going to do that, but clearly it does

YOU LITERALLY ASKED for suggestions to make the place less appealing. Now you're taking the moral high-ground when people actually give suggestions??

Was I taking the moral high ground or was I replying tongue-in-cheek?

@RainingPastaSRSLY give it a rest with the snippy responses. What you’re proposing to advise your son to do is really not right and I can’t quite believe you think it’s fine.

It’s the internet: we’ve very little idea whether you’re responding tongue in cheek or applauding the arseholery of others.