Selling a rented house

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I need to sell a house we rent out (our family home). It's been rented to 3 tenants over the last 17 years. No voids. Excellent tenants. We've been excellent landlords. Regular maintenance at a time approved by the tenant. Anything needed fixing or replacing asap at the tenants convenience and we have always charged the lower end of the market price for the house. I'm not saying this for a pat on the back just to indicate that I want to do the right thing. We were renting in another country whilst our family home was rented out. So we were very much do as you would be done by. And it's worked well for us.

However now we need to sell the house. What I want to do is be fair to the tenant. It's been their home for 8 years, they have decorated (with our agreement). What's the kindest way to approach this?

Also do I try and sell it whilst the tenant is still there? I appreciate that requires them to be onboard with the situation. Or do I wait for them to leave and then try and sell it?

Thoughts appreciated please.

When does the current tenancy end?
Would the current tenants be in a position to buy the property?

I think give them plenty of notice of when you need to take possession of the property again. I think the legal minimum is 2 months so maybe consider giving them 4 months..? It’s probably going to be easier to sell if they are already gone.

We were tenants in this situation 8 years and the landlords waited for me to have my baby, before they told us the plans to sell.

They were amazing, gave us time offered us a price they'd accept (we couldn't afford it).

We were so so sad to leave but their kindness really helped keep our stress low and we were found another super rental within 2 months and have such happy memories, it all worked out so well for us as we moved closer to a better school and made great friendships.

You sound lovely. I think giving more time would be the best idea.

I think it will be easier to sell vacant, so I would give them notice personally.

Yes sell vacant.

They know it's a rental. Three months notice. Then negotiate from there

We are renting our family home as it wouldn't sell in time to buy a new one and the plan is rent it for 18 months the then use the profit to have it empty and then put it on the market.

Have an end of tenancy clean and decorate neutral throughout and replace any carpets if needed.