My landlord is selling the flat, when should I move?
Posted by Aggravating-Fig-9274@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 14 comments
Hi all,
As I stated in the title my landlord decided to sell the flat my partner and I live in (London).
Now.. the problem is that we don’t have a time frame to leave and as the new law is changing from the 1st of May our notice will be 2 months at any time, his, after the first of June (ending of our original contract that will now be rolling) will be 4 months if he finds a buyer.
Initially we were thinking to move ASAP, find a new flat, to avoid the added stress of having no date for this but now we are considering if we should just wait until the landlord tell us to move?
Living in London is really expensive and our budget is not high at all.. this is why I feel that if I find a good place we should rent it straight away as no one will wait months for us to move in and I’m also worried that only sh*t flats will be left if we have to move in September or November for example..on the other hand if we give the notice before our landlord we could lose the possibility to stay many more months in our current flat that we love!
What do you suggest will be the best thing to do?
Bossman_Mike@reddit
I'd just consider your current place gone. Get out, find somewhere new, reset the clock.
Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit
You can give notice on the 1st of May. By law. So don't worry about anything else on that front.
Legally, your landlord can also just ask you to leave nicely. They can't actually force you to leave. Only a court can.
Pragmatically, start looking and then hand your notice when you're ready.
Bossman_Mike@reddit
Correct. Under the old rules, if you got S21 and the notice period ends on May 9th, they do not send Big Chris and the bailiffs round on May 9th to physically launch you into the street.
Logical_fallacy10@reddit
I just had the exact same situation happen to me. I started looking straight away. But then I realized that I was not in the mood to move - so I put in an offer to buy the place. And it was accepted. Win win.
nivlark@reddit
I would suggest you start looking, but you don't need to commit to moving until the landlord - either the current one or whoever buys the flat - serves a valid eviction notice.
Low-Captain1721@reddit
Unsure of the question tbh.
If you're landlord serves you notice with a valid section 21 before the 1st of May they can 'no fault' evict you with 2 months notice.
Formal noticed served after 1st May will have up give 4 months notice and be for limited reasons.
If you receive an S21 & don't leave when the notice expires the landlord will have to go to court and there are plenty of delaying tactics for tenants.
I don't know how current delaying tactics will work with new legislation however surely you should just decide what to do IF you actually receive formal notice ?
Cute_Gollum@reddit
Best thing is what brings you peace of mind. Leaving in a flat when you don't know the move out date, even if large, can be very stressfull. It's true it could take months to sell, even a year... But what matters is how you feel.
Moving now might bring you peace of mind, but you will lose on money.
Moving later means a bit more money for a while, but you'll eventualy have to move out anyway.
To be frank, the rental market isn't too bad right now, but might soon be, talk with your landlord if you can find a mutual agreement to postpone a little if that makes you feel better. November-December does have more affordable rents and stunning properties. But it's a gamble, you'll never know.
On the other end, once he gives you a notice, you'll have 4 months to find a place... But if it's too hard, you do not have to move, they must still apply for court possession. I don't think it's a great position to be in, but if you fear not finding anything, know your rights.
Also, if you only find a bad place, you can move two months after. Still not a good position to be in, but as for now, you have many options.
Good luck, it's not easy to learn you're rental is being sold and can be quite stressfull, but you are not stuck :) Do what brings you peace !
JTC93@reddit
The new owner might be looking to rent the flat out in which case you can stay put. Otherwise, from the offer being accepted you’re looking at a fair few weeks until you’d need to be out so get your landlord to keep you up to date.
Bobby_-_D@reddit
Generally flats are not selling well in London. Unless your landlord is pricing for a quick sale, I personally would not be in a rush to move
jimicus@reddit
Unless he finds someone who wants the flat as an investment, he'll have to sell it with vacant posession. A bank won't allow a regular residential mortgage against a property that's got a tenant.
Which means if he has any sense, you'll get eviction paperwork very shortly, I'm afraid.
Beginning-Annual-860@reddit
Negotiate a lower rolling rent.. it takes months to complete a sale…
andyc225@reddit
Honestly, arrange a move sooner rather than later. You don't want to be in a position where you have a limited notice period and the clock is ticking down.
strawberrypops@reddit
Personally, I’d look to move. It might be months before you get your eviction notice or it might be tomorrow but it’ll be hanging over you constantly until it happens. I’d want the peace of mind of having it over and done with.
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