Has anyone bought a house marketed as a rental?

[SilverLiningSearching]

I’ve seen a house for rent, but ticks lots of boxes for me and I want to buy. There is little coming up sale in my chosen area, wondering if I should flag up my interest.

I do know that the property was up for sale a few months ago and didn’t sell . ( I was tied up in a aborted house purchase at the time) Should I book a viewing as a prospective tennant, or tell the EA my intentions from the outset?

I'd go and view it, then ask. It might be shit inside.

Are there tenants in there already? If so you should be aware that unless they’re already on notice to leave, you will have to give a minimum of 6 months notice for them to vacate the property (possibly longer if they’re on a fixed term rental agreeement).
Definitely check with the EA whether there would be vacant possession as IME properties advertised as rentals often have sitting tenants.

No tenants in the property, the add says available later this month.

Id tell the agent you are interested in buying. They probably have a selling arm so the firm will not be out a commission, and if its not for sale then no time wasted for either you or agent. I'd be a bit put out if I was the rental agent showing you the property only to find out you were only interested in buying.

Sorry I misunderstood, so the house isn’t actually for sale? But it was a few months ago.
Yep go and view, if you like it then you can try a convo re buying it.

I would be upfront from the off and tell them that you were interested when it was on the market but couldn’t proceed, now you can do are interested to know if the owner would revert to selling and if so you would love to view.

When there is little to be had on the market it is worth registering with EAs, letting them know what you are looking for and presenting as someone who will not mess about. Then they will alert you to suitable properties as soon as they get them on their books.

Yes. And I wish I'd seen past the interior at the time and bought a good house in a decent area.

I’ve decided to contact the EA on Monday and be upfront about my interest, I am wondering why they switched from sale to rental though.
BTW the rent they are asking is pricey even by the (popular) areas standard.

We almost switched from sale to rental when our house had been on for a while and a sale had fallen through. The reason was we either needed the cash to buy a new house or a rental income to cover a mortgage.

Interesting @Comefromaway, if they are going rental for cash flow they might be reassured I’m a no chain buyer.