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.

It’s ramping up now.

That’s how capitalism works.

How long have they been paying rent on it? They might be able to get a mortgage based on that.

What is?

How do you know the LL has multiple properties?
And anyhow, the LL is trying to sell. And still you are not happy!

I would be very happy to find something cheaper, we spent 2025 applying for almost every single house outside London

1. Yes, I have 2 kids and my firstborn has serious medical issues which were found while I was full term with second , so I don't really think people should call me irresponsible "making kids" while renting
2. As my child has medical needs it's impossible to find childminder or even after school club, so my hours are very limited at work

Not everyone can magically move to other side of country for cheaper rent

Its more concerning that you can’t comprehend that I didn’t actually say that.

This hits the nail on the head. As a recent ex-landlady (thank GOD that part of my life is over - never ever ever again), I can tell you that bad tenants are the bane of your life. Getting rid of bad tenants is the best, most satisfying thing you can do - but it’s SO stressful and unpleasant. I don’t know why the OP could encourage her son to give an innocent third party grief like this.

Also, it would likely result in the opposite of what they hope - the LL will serve notice, and if they fail to pay their rent will take them to court to chase the debt. Or sell it to a debt collection agency. Then no one will touch them as tenants again. It’s a lose lose. And SO unnecessary!!

This hits the nail on the head. As a recent ex-landlady (thank GOD that part of my life is over - never ever ever again), I can tell you that bad tenants are the bane of your life. Getting rid of bad tenants is the best, most satisfying thing you can do - but it’s SO stressful and unpleasant. I don’t know why the OP could encourage her son to give an innocent third party grief like this.

Also, it would likely result in the opposite of what they hope - the LL will serve notice, and if they fail to pay their rent will take them to court to chase the debt. Or sell it to a debt collection agency. Then no one will touch them as tenants again. It’s a lose lose. And SO unnecessary!!

I think the landlord needs to just give the OP's son and his partner the required notice for them to leave - (4 months I think it is now...) and wait til they're gone before trying to sell.

Who'd be a landlord eh?

The level of abuse I am receiving

The LAW overrides whatever their lease says and they are entitled to peace and quiet and don’t have to do any viewings!! I refused all of them as don’t want random strangers poking around in my home and nicking things

I despair about the lack of comprehension and the level of spitefulness of the replies on this thread. If you actually took the time to read and digest my posts then you might see that I have not said or suggested anything which warranted the vitriol directed at me.

The property he is renting out is in excess to his own needs, and used to make money off someone else’s housing need.
He might just have one excess property as well as the one he is living in or many rented out.
In general though it should not have been so favourable for landlords to exist in the first place bar a small amount, but the growth over the last 30 years has been detrimental to the country as a whole and is partial responsible for the excessive house price increase that have gone on in that time.

If that many people are misunderstanding me I’d be looking at my posts and wondering why I was unable to express myself clearly.

He couldn’t have had better tenants so he has been fortunate, given the way some tenants behave.

Are you surprised though?

He couldn't have had better tenants up to NOW.

Fixed that for you.

I have reread them and they are fine. The problem is the posters who form their own narrative to justify their ridiculous responses

Yep. All these posters cannot be wrong!

I own a very small flat in a nice area that has always been my retirement provision, as my job requires me to live in tied accommodation. I have excellent tenants and have rarely increased the rent in the time that they've been with me, partly to allow them to save for the day when they wish to buy somewhere, and partly because they are both NHS workers.

I have just had to give them notice as I now have to sell for family reasons: not my choice, but unavoidable. I have asked if they would be happy to allow viewings at times to suit them but will understand if they say no.

If they now behave in any of the ways 'jokingly' suggested on this thread I will be so upset.

True, there was the risk that some of their soft furnishings could have been rearranged, the thought of which is obviously despicable and would strike fear into the hearts of LL across the whole country. Thankfully, you lovely folk have saved the day.

Why would anyone want to live this way they should just accept the situation and find another rental.