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.

And a large gin

Or three.

Not in 2026! The market has changed. It's location and price. The flat will sell at the right price. Cushions and fancy soaps making a difference is just bs

Pardon me if I have this wrong but, you started the thread because the landlord wants to sell so its quite likely that they will have to move.

It would be foolish NOT to start looking round. If they find somewhere then they dont have to stay where they are till notice is served. Of course agents will take them seriously, they are in control of when and where they move if they start looking now.

It seems that whatever posters say you cant seem to grasp the fact that its better to have choice than wait till you have been served notice and then trying to find somewhere.

Its precisely because there is such a demand for decent rental property that they need to be proactive.

Because it IS despicable. What an awful attitude you have. People like you are the very reason that I no longer rent out my second property. As if I should be grateful that people respect my property and don't trash it.

If they start looking now, they've got time to wait until the right place comes up. If they wait until they're about to be evicted, they'll have less choice.
If somewhere comes up and they need to move into it sooner than their notice period, the landlord may well be willing to waive the notice period, as the property will be easier to sell if vacant.

Also remember OP that notice is 2 months for them to leave, it is the LL that has to give them 4.

Right back at you.

As it stands, they have only had an informal chat with the agent telling them that the LL is planning to sell. MAYBE THAT WOULD CHANGE

They will be served with four months notice if he goes ahead with this plan.

If they are served notice, then they have four months to find somewhere else “on their own terms”.

The only way they would be considered by agents for other properties would be if they were available quickly, which would mean giving notice themselves on their current property before they even know that it is definitely going to be put up for sale.

That makes no sense to leave a property they love unless they have been given notice.

And BTW, I say that as a LL myself.

Exactly! I think the OP is so determined to argue with anything and everything that s/he has forgotten why they started the thread 😂

if the LL is going to sell (which is what the OP said) then the tenants can start looking, or they can remain in the flat if they choose and could also refuse viewings while they’re there if they choose. From the LL point of view, it’s probably better that viewings are when the tenants have gone - potential buyers would probably prefer that. What’s very clear is that the OP’s idea that removing a few cushions or rugs will make a difference is nuts. So gullible!

Obviously don't start looking until the landlord has made the decision to sell. But he may well waive the notice period if asked nicely, as it will make selling rather easier.

I would guess that he's told them before putting it on the market to give them the opportunity to say if they would like to buy it, because that would be far easier than anything else - and no estate agent fees if it hasn't even gone on the market. You said they might be able to afford it if the price comes down enough, so they have nothing to lose by saying "we'd love to buy it but unfortunately we can't afford more than £x". You never know - it might be considered.

I’m not talking about waiting until they are evicted, I’m talking about waiting until they are given four month notice. Completely different situation as they would have to give two months notice to the LL to leave themselves and I doubt any properties are actually available that far in advance. Plus the fact that it isn’t confirmed that they will have to leave until they are given the four months notice

Because I wouldn't want strangers walking through my home, when there's no benefit to me. Its an invasion of my privacy.
Its something that people put up with when they are selling their own home and making money from the sale - it isn't something people have to do so that their LL can make money.

Christ on a bike! If the LL changes their mind then they won’t serve notice and the son and gf can stay with cushions and rugs all in place.

“Obviously don't start looking until the landlord has made the decision to sell”

Thats what I’ve been saying but the other posters don’t seem to grasp it and keep saying that they should be looking for a new property now. Thats not sensible or feasible in the current rental market.

Then what is the point of the thread? Why did you start it?

Blimey. Ok.

You are missing the point again that it is a waste of time for them to look for another property at this stage when it would be at least two months until they were free to move anyway. I’m not going to explain it any more.

I’m not going to explain it any more.

Thank fuck for that.

How is that post missing the point? I’ve literally just agreed with you that if the LL doesnt serve notice, there is no problem, they can stay in the flat (with soft furnishings all in place! 😂)

You could just cook fish.

👏🏼

Oh this is just so embarrassing! @RainingPasta you have made such a tool of yourself…. It has made for a very funny thread. Anyone who knows you in RL would immediately know this is you I suspect!

Honestly, I wish I hadn’t bothered. There have been so many ignorant and spiteful responses and it’s just made me despair at the mindset of so many on this thread.

Even if you disagree with a poster completely, there are civilised ways of replying and there is no need for personal insults and spiteful comments.

I’ll leave it there. I am grateful that MNHQ had the good sense to recognise that I wasn’t posting anything unacceptable. A lot of other post were deleted which speaks volumes.

😂😂