Found a property but......

[Stepintotheunknown]

It is configured as an HMO and the tenants are still there. I told the estate agent I am only interested to even start the purchasing process if the tenants have moved out. Estate agent tells me they will be moving out but owner is not willing to expedite them leaving before starting the sales process. You only have to read threads on Mumsnet were tenants are advised to refuse to move out!

I thought it was a buyers market and I certainly don't want to add another complicated layer to the process. Is this the way it is now?

Walk away! Only buy when empty. Madness to buy with tenants in there. Could take a lot to get them out. Don’t take it on and seller isn’t serious!

‘Is this the way it is now?’

Why do you mean exactly?

Not unusual for a landlord to sell with tenants in situ - another landlord might buy it, for a start.

I think if the owner wants to sell, he/she will need to expedite the process by ensuring that the tenants leave. No one surely, would be willing to purchase a property if there’s uncertainty about whether it will have vacant possession.

Given the state of the market generally, I think it’s foolish to not ensure the tenants will leave before trying to sell. I wouldn’t consider a property with tenants in situ.

We had this and had to wait until the rental period expired
They left the place in a disgusting, filthy state - took bloody hours to clean and sort but at least they were out. I couldn't believe people lived like that 🤢🤢

I am walking away.

I meant is this now to be expected when buying. Estate agent said it would be expected tenants to ove out within 2 mins nths and when I raised the issue of delays he said worse case scenario would be 9 Months. Well that is too late for me and no doubt others if wanting a family home.I wondered if I am being demanding. Appreciate landlords might be interested to purchase but the house is an ideal family house and is advertised as such.

I asked the estate agent if the property doesn't sell quickly could he let me know when the property is vacant. He was adamant the owner would have sold by then.

I would think an HMO needs a lot of work to return it to a family home so i would look for something else.

Stick to your guns and tell the estate agent they’re welcome to come back to you if/when it’s vacant but that you will continue looking for other properties in the meantime.

edit: sorry posted before I saw your update!

The other thing I have discovered is how misleading marketing photos are, Empty refurbished photos turn out to be tenanted if the empty property failed to sell immediately. This is very challenging if you are looking to relocate and can't go chasing properties at the other end of the country that turn out to have no resemblance to the marketed condition.

You’ve done the right thing in walking away.

There are very good reasons why landlords are getting rid of their properties.

There was a recent thread here where a tenant was asking what compensation she could claim from the landlord… some posters were telling the tenant to stay put, some suggesting that they could stay for good, despite the landlord explaining that he needed to sell for personal reasons of his own.

The estate agent can’t possibly know for sure that the tenants will leave.

Is this the way it is now?

It is if you are buying a HMO to become a landlord... you seemingly don't want that so why are you even looking at buying a business property with tenants.

Because it is exactly the type of detached property we are looking for in an ideal location, which are rarely available. Also advertised as family home. Probably why the owner thinks he can easily sell. Surprised it was an HMO. Another hurdle to overcome when buying. We are walking away.

My current chain nearly fell apart as my onward purchase had sitting tenants. Firstly the RM advert gave no indication it was tenanted. Only became apparent when I offered and told I would get vacant possession. Vendor wouldn't commit to when vacant possession would be given to the tenant- given the new rent reforms coming in May - had to withdraw offer. Meanwhile my lower chain weren't happy as they were ready to Exchange - I am breaking the chain and buying a different house now. I would never get involved in a house for sale with a tenant in situ.

You are doing the right thing in walking away, at least until such a time as the house is unoccupied.
Some LLs will definitely try to sell with sitting tenants, continued income for them. The more decent and responsible ones will give the tenants notice and then market their property.

I’m buying a house which has tenants who are supposed to move out at the end of this month.
Luckily, I’m close enough that I can go and check at the start of next month.
If they are still there, I’ll pull out. (Annoying but I won’t take risks, and I’m not prepared to get into a legal battle.)