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.

Struggle away. I’m deadly serious.

Your plan to take action to put off potential buyers is both morally questionable and commercially inadvisable. As others have said, LL will just serve notice and they’ll not get to remain in the flat in any event.

They may coexist, but not in your arguments on this thread.

While I wait to see whether MNHQ takes action, happy just to completely derail the threat baiting you, TBH.

It’s like shooting fish in a barrel.

Yes, I absolutely do realise that. I have two Gen Z DC renting in London.

However, the OP states that her DS was hoping he might be able to buy the flat…

Oh with the shortage of rentals I’d strongly advise them to see what’s out there, as the notice is coming,

This type of behaviour is exactly why landlords sell 🤷🏼‍♀️

If they want a good reference from LL I wouldn't antagonise him. The LL may sell to another LL anyway.

You say there is no point in looking for somewhere else as they have not been served notice yet. I don't understand that at all, they know that they are going to have to move so why not look for somewhere whilst they have time to be choosy rather than wait till notice is served and then be in a panic trying to find somewhere.
Moving is inevitable so better to start looking whilst time is on their side.

But not acting accordingly

If won't matter how they keep it. If a buyer wants it, they'll buy it. Your son and their partner can't really do anything that will delay a sale. If they try, they'll probably make things worse for themselves. Tell them to look for a new place.

Here, it's advised to empty out as much as you can, especially the homey and personal stuff so supposedly a potential buyer can visualize their stuff in that space.

But 2 hoarded homes sold nearby recently super quick because the prices were low. Corporate and private equity are buying like mad.

As others have said, If your DC and partner mess the estate agent and LL around and make the flat unappealing, the LL will just evict them to sell. In which case they'll be out sooner than if they cooperate.

If the LL is looking to sell with sitting tenants then the market may be other LLs which could mean your DC gets to stay. I think being in when there are viewings is a good way to put subtly put off people looking for their own home, but not LLs looking for an investment.

But I would also advise they start looking around so they have a better idea of options for if they do get evicted.

Well, if that makes you feel good then I’m happy to have obliged

How have they acted?

OP: you have described them as “model tenants”. It is not model tenant behaviour deliberately to try to make a property less appealing to buyers. It’s also a poor strategy, for the myriad reasons I and others have given on this thread.

What about this is so hard to understand?

They will still have at least four months to find a new place when they are served notice and it is likely to be a higher rent for a comparable place so they will stay put until the notice period is finished.

So selfish

That haven’t done anything at all, even relocate a cushion.

What about this is so hard to understand?

Don’t be obtuse. We all know this thread asks for advice about what they can do deliberately to sabotage a sale, which is poor behaviour. And also really silly as it won’t help them achieve their objective.

Do you want to correct your grammar here @Piglet89?

Yes - if they want to buy, make an offer.

God - who’d be a landlord these days. You sound like a nasty lot.

That may speed up a landlord's decision to evict them so they can sell it

Gee thanks, you sound lovely

Why don’t you correct it? I suppose, at least if you’re engaged in that task, it’ll distract you for a couple of minutes from scheming to dick over your child’s landlord.

That would be illegal

The best way make a property unappealing is by still living in it. Nobody will care whether they faff about hiding cushions and throws. The only buyers who like tenants still living in a property are other landlords who are looking for reliable sitting tenants.