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Original poster

Selling a messy cluttered house !

80 replies

Kay286 · 14/04/2023 16:07

Whilst I know this is not ideal we’re selling our house which has tenants in , we served section 21 in November but they said they would try to see if they could buy. They can’t and it got close to eviction date so we agreed to allow more time we’d give a bit longer and revisit. We confirmed again in feb we are looking to sell. Estate agent went round took photos and placed house in market but it’s so cluttered and messy (this after asking to tidy !)
my question is … the exact same house as ours is on for 50k xtra it’s immaculate … would you be able to see past clutter and offer on a 50k cheaper house ?

OP posts:
Ohnobloodysnow · 14/04/2023 16:42

I saw a house like this on zoopla and thought why didn't they tidy?! People can see past clutter but it would be better if it wasnt there in the first place or the tenants

SinisterKnitter · 14/04/2023 16:42

It's not really about being 'firm', you need to be following the proper legal process to regain possession.

Original poster
Kay286 · 14/04/2023 16:46

@CC4712 because the section 21 was issued end November , they wanted to look to buy but I suppose with Xmas etc it took longer for them then it got to January they came back and said they can’t get a mortgage. By this point their move out was only few weeks away - poor timing I guess. Agreed could stay a bit longer , then feb March said definitely proceeding with selling and told letting agents who basically has said tenants are aware … but yes I don’t actually have a firm move out date so need to get on this !

OP posts:
Original poster
Kay286 · 14/04/2023 16:48

@SinisterKnitter we have we issued section 21, we only need to follow further legally if they refuse to move out which they haven’t. I’ve obviously been a bit too Flexible on allowing to stay longer but now need to confirm a move out date

OP posts:
CatOnTheChair · 14/04/2023 16:48

Echoing others. I could see past clutter for an amazing house.
I wouldn't offer on one with sitting tenants - especially ones who had got close to an eviction date and not moved out.

caringcarer · 14/04/2023 17:04

You will need to be very firm. If they have not moved out by set date go to court action with a bailiff.

Dustybarn · 14/04/2023 17:09

It is not in the tenants’ interest to tidy. Awful looking house means no offers and they get to stay. Give them a firm date to leave, make sure they are out, then fly home and repaint etc yourself.

LumpySpaceGoddess · 14/04/2023 17:35

Make sure your section 21 is valid otherwise the tenants will be able to stay for longer, have you given them the how to rent guide, the EPC cert and done a yearly gas safety inspection? Also is their deposit protected?

drpet49 · 14/04/2023 18:21

caringcarer · 14/04/2023 16:34

You need to take your house off the market and evict tenants immediately. New legislation is coming in very soon to stop Section 21 so you need to be very quick, else you'll never get rid of them. Once they are gone they will take their clutter with them. Re paint to freshen, tidy up the garden and re list. The only person who would consider buying a house with tenants in situ is a LL. That will limit your market hugely as many LL's are leaving the market, not buying more houses.

This. Get rid of them asap.

KievLoverTwo · 14/04/2023 18:49

I am afraid that if I saw a cluttered, messy house, I would assume the owner is also not bothered about maintenance and give it a wide berth.

Just because the folks up the street with the neat house have it advertised for 50k more does not mean it is worth 50k more. People overpricing by that amount is seriously normal atm - desperation due to mortgage rates.

Personally, I would write to them 'I know the rental market is really difficult for tenants at the moment so I am giving you two months of the last extension I will grant. On 14th June I will be there in person to take possession.'

SinisterKnitter · 14/04/2023 19:05

"Personally, I would write to them 'I know the rental market is really difficult for tenants at the moment so I am giving you two months of the last extension I will grant. On 14th June I will be there in person to take possession.'"

Do not take this advice!

Only a court order can grant possession/eviction.

LIZS · 14/04/2023 19:08

Makewayforsummer · 14/04/2023 16:34

Tennants are a bigger issue than clutter. I wouldn’t view a house with tenants.

This

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 14/04/2023 21:49

Kay286 · 14/04/2023 16:48

@SinisterKnitter we have we issued section 21, we only need to follow further legally if they refuse to move out which they haven’t. I’ve obviously been a bit too Flexible on allowing to stay longer but now need to confirm a move out date

You only have 6 months to apply for a possession order- it sounds like 3 have already passed? And the house isn't on the market yet- realistically you may not find buyers in that time frame, or the tenants may say they need longer to find somewhere- what are you going to do then?

This has the potential to become a complete mess, where you have to start the process over from the beginning.

Any mortgage lender will insist on vacant possession anyway, and if it looks like it's going to take a long time to obtain this, then people will walk away.

The sitting tenants are far more of a problem than the staging of the house. They can also legally refuse to allow at least some viewings etc.

You really need to agree a move out date with them- it would be fair to allow them another 2 months to sort out somewhere new to live, I think. And then redecorate etc and market the property.

Is the issue that you can't afford the mortgage if the tenants move out?

PollyPeptide · 14/04/2023 22:02

Not only would I be worried about them not leaving, I generally think it's a bit of a shady thing to do so would be concerned about you as the seller.

What's shady? I know people who have sold properties with sitting tenants which have been bought as a business. Reliable tenants with a good payment history. I don't see what the op has done wrong. It's not like she's hiding the tenants under the clutter and pretending they're not there.

Original poster
Kay286 · 14/04/2023 22:02

@Postapocalypticcowgirl we issued the section 21 November , I didn’t release about the 5 month for possession order so I’ll speak to our agents about a move out date. When does th me z6 months start from ?

no the issue isn’t the mortgage 💸 I have enough cash in the bank to clear it - the issue is I’ve been too relaxed clearly in trying not to be a shit landlord

OP posts:
Isiteveningyet · 14/04/2023 22:06

As others have said, the clutter isn’t the issue; it’s the tenants who so far haven’t left…

Oblomov23 · 15/04/2023 08:05

Have you now agreed a date? Why are you being so foolish?

Original poster
Kay286 · 15/04/2023 14:07

Oblomov23 · 15/04/2023 08:05

Have you now agreed a date? Why are you being so foolish?

@Oblomov23 I’ve emailed our letting agent to agree to sort the date. We live in north america. We are you so rude ?

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 15/04/2023 14:23

If you are not in the uk, you need your letting agent to handle this. Surely you are not handling it personally? So you need to get a move on with the eviction. Then come back and improve the property because few tenants look after a house. If it’s a good buy, someone will want it. However the tenders need to go and you need to see this as a business, not a sociel service. Make the house look well maintained and cared for. And empty!

Original poster
Kay286 · 15/04/2023 15:15

@TizerorFizz not we are not handling personally it’s all through letting agent - in March agent just said they are aware of notice period but yes I’ve gone back yesterday and asked what is the actual move out date we need a date ! Then once out my husband will fly back and get painting and carpets sorted.
I think we have been too soft and not had business head on - but agree we need to get this sorted now.
feedback from everyone I need to know what to do now !
we did not enter it as a business we became accidental landlords after moving abroad , it’s our only property. We rent here and look after this house as our own so it was a shock to see our house so messy (however it’s not trashed or anything just very unloved )

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 15/04/2023 15:24

@Kay286
Ive seen this happen quite a few times to friends. It’s a real worry for people who actually need to sell or come back and live in their own house after being abroad. As tenants get more rights to stay in their “home” with no fault eviction that might come in soon, people letting the family home are up sh** creek! So it’s important to get your business head on. Unfortunately tenants do find it difficult to move but if this is your only house, it’s vital you get it back. A friend of mine went to court for eviction and tenant was granted longer even though they hadn’t paid rent for months!

The other thing that is concerning: didn’t your agent do any condition checks? Mine did.

Kay286 · 15/04/2023 15:36

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Beenalongwinter · 15/04/2023 20:27

I would offer them a months rent towards a new rental property and all their deposit back. Then spruce up and sell.

ThankmelaterOkay · 15/04/2023 20:31

Beenalongwinter · 15/04/2023 20:27

I would offer them a months rent towards a new rental property and all their deposit back. Then spruce up and sell.

This. They hold the cards here. I’d make it worth their while to move swiftly. I’m sure you’ve done very well out of them anyway.

SOMumm · 15/04/2023 21:08

perhaps you should pay them to leave - this will certainly expedite their removal if you offer to pay their deposit on a new rental, and their full deposit returned when they have vacated the premises, provided there is no damage.
Your letting agents are rather lax.

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