Buying flat which is currently tenanted

[OutbackQueen]

I’m looking at a flat for my brother and we’ve seen a couple of nice places which are currently tenanted. I’m nervous that they may stall when it comes to leaving and wonder if anyone has experience of this.
One tenant in particular is being in uncooperative about even viewing the property. He won’t let people come round unless he’s there and is going away so no viewings until he comes back. Don’t think this is a good sign…
We have plenty of choice of properties to look at and aren’t desperate.

I wouldn't.

Even if the seller promises full vacant possession given the current tenancy laws that may not be something that is easy to achieve to a schedule.

I can understand why tenants are not happy with randoms viewing a place while they are away. Some people are very proud of their stuff and not every person who conducts viewings may be protective of the tenants property.

Walk away....

It's a hard no for me. I wouldn't even buy a house that had been previously rented. When we were buying, we looked round a lot of houses and I could tell the difference between a house that had been lived in by an owner and a house that had been lived in by a renter. The latter was always less cared for.

Is it really uncooperative to not want random strangers looking around your home?!
On top of having to pay excessive amounts just to have a roof over your head- who can blame him for being pissed off and no I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole either!

You don't know what the renter has been through in order for them to get to the stage to say 'no' to viewings. Who would have thought that I'd need to allow my landlord/contractors/delivery people access to my home on 25 different occasions wasting 30 hours of my time, along with 7 days staying in waiting for crap to be delivered, all within the first 4 months of living here? And we're not even done with the really time consuming stuff that needs doing in the house yet.

You can be sure as hell I won't be bending over backwards to allow viewings when we leave, if I even decide to allow them access at all, which is quite unlikely.

But, I also echo the PP who said 'wouldn't buy a rental as not maintained.' See above. Our rental is ridiculous, and we viewed a former rental to buy a few weeks ago that just stank of No Shits Given.

If he's denying access, I'd see that as a red flag re: the owner, esp if there are an abundance available.

Nope, I wouldn’t.

The landlord can give them notice and make sure the place is empty before they market it. Otherwise, you’re opening up a whole heap of problems.

Yes, agree. The landlord should have the place vacant before putting it on the market. I do feel for renters, was one for a very long time. We’ve decided to steer clear and would rather be in a chain as my brother’s not in a hurry.

Get some spare balaclavas.

Its not uncooperative, thats his home and worldly belongs and he has a legal right of quiet enjoyment that he pays for.

You would be mad to buy with tenant, they have rights and you will become a landlord not a 'homeowner'.

You forgot the most common reason: the LL is a complete arsehole and the tenant would rather give away their firstborn than help them in any way :'(

(I have had some really good LL's, it's just been a rough run since covid)

Well OP, if you know your going to be booted out when the property is sold, would you be keen?

Also are you looking for a buy to let or to move in? It’s a different answer in each case.

yes if buy to let, no if you want to live in it.

if the tenant was there that’s great because you can always ask them what issues they have had with the property.

Do not buy with tenant, buy as a vacant POSSESSION only. Make that the terms of your offer. You didn't need the hassle