Many landlords choose to sell their rental property with sitting tenants. However, this can be difficult if you have a poor relationship with them or if the housing market is particularly slow. In this article, we are going to take a look at how to sell a house with sitting tenants, and why it can often be the best thing to do.
Can You Sell a House with Sitting Tenants?
Yes, you can sell your property with sitting tenants and it isn’t necessary to evict them prior to the sale. They’ll just continue the right to live in the property when it’s sold to the new landlord.
If the new owner then decides they wish to evict the tenants, they have to serve a Section 21 notice. This notice can only be given if their tenancy has ended or there is an appropriate break clause.
However, there is a minimum notice period of two months. This can cause delays in selling your rental property, which might mean it’d be best to sell your property with the tenants still living there if you want to sell quickly.
Are There Benefits of Selling with Sitting Tenants?
Some landlords will look around for a property with sitting tenants as this means there is a guaranteed income as soon as they own the property. They don’t have to wait to get new tenants and potentially lose out on rental income.
Other benefits include:
- The new landlord will be able to avoid letting agent fees. They don’t have to relist the property on the market as they already have tenants in the property.
- Financial loss will be minimal. Some areas may not have the best rental demand, but with sitting tenants, you aren’t losing money whilst your property is on the market.
- There are no setup costs. Buying a new rental property usually carries certain costs to the landlord including; finding tenants, reference checks, gas certificates, renovations etc. Purchasing a property with sitting tenants could save the new owner both time and money.
What Rights do Sitting Tenants Have?
The tenants living in your property have their usual rights throughout the entire sales period. The landlord also has to inform the tenants when they want to show potential buyers around the property.
You’re only allowed to conduct viewings if it’s in the tenancy agreement and you have given the tenant no less than 24 hours notice of the viewing. The tenants can refuse to show a buyer around the property if it is inconvenient for them.
What Happens After the Sale?
After the sale, the buyer simply becomes the new landlord. They’re then bound by the same rules of the tenancy and cannot evict the tenants without giving two months notice.
The new AST is then written up to reflect the change in ownership and any other adjustments they wish to make. Changes could include the length of tenancy and how much the rent is.
Summary: How to Sell a House with Sitting Tenants
Overall, selling your house with sitting tenants can be difficult but it does have its benefits. If you’re trying to sell your property with sitting tenants then having a good relationship with them will make the process much smoother. You should keep them informed as much as possible throughout the sale.
Do you need more advice about selling with sitting tenants? Then contact Norwich Home Buyers today on 01603 851837 or fill in our contact form. We can give you advice and work out if selling your rental property with sitting tenants is the best option for you.