Landlord Selling Property (apartments, lease agreement, tenant, evict) - Apartments, houses, lease, tenant, landlord, agreements, termination - City-Data Forum

LHBR702 · 03-20-2008, 08:30 AM

Does anyone know if a landlord has any obligation to notify a tenant of the listing of the property for sale? My landlord did not notify me that he is listing the property and I just got a call from a real estate agent who was calling to arrange a time to show the property.

For the record, I do not have any problem with this and in fact, for our own personal reasons, we might like to revise our lease agreement to be on a month-to-month basis. Do I have any recourse in making that request now that our landlord has placed the property for sale without our knowledge or isn't there any requirement for him to do so. Perhaps it is more of a courtesy than a requirement, but since he did not extend that courtesy, maybe we can make that point.

nsumner · 03-21-2008, 12:57 AM

Most lease agreements have that covered. It usually says that within a certain number of days the landlord has to notify you and also you have to agree to have a lockbox put on the door if they are using one.

Read your lease. Your answer is there!

daytripper · 03-21-2008, 04:45 AM

what a landlord does with HIS property is his business. No requirement
(But it would be nice to let you know)

mommabear2 · 03-22-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LHBR702

Does anyone know if a landlord has any obligation to notify a tenant of the listing of the property for sale? My landlord did not notify me that he is listing the property and I just got a call from a real estate agent who was calling to arrange a time to show the property.

For the record, I do not have any problem with this and in fact, for our own personal reasons, we might like to revise our lease agreement to be on a month-to-month basis. Do I have any recourse in making that request now that our landlord has placed the property for sale without our knowledge or isn't there any requirement for him to do so. Perhaps it is more of a courtesy than a requirement, but since he did not extend that courtesy, maybe we can make that point.

Why would they be obligated to tell you? You don't own the property. How much of a pain in the a$$ would that be for landlords to be required to let every single tenant know that they are selling the property... I can see it now... "Tenants sue because landlord didn't give notice of intent to sell..."

The only notice that the landlord would be required to do is when an agent/prospective buyer has to enter the home (check your lease on the time frame).

pitt_transplant · 03-22-2008, 02:36 PM

MMB- What city do you LL in?
Im just curious as I really dont care for a lot of your replies.

Metlakatla · 03-22-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Why would they be obligated to tell you? You don't own the property. How much of a pain in the a$$ would that be for landlords to be required to let every single tenant know that they are selling the property... I can see it now... "Tenants sue because landlord didn't give notice of intent to sell..."

Geez.

I can tell you exactly how much of a pain in the ass it could be for the landlord who's trying to sell the property. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can inhibit a sale more effectively than an angry and unhappy tenant.

It's in the best interest of the landlord to give the tenant as much notice as possible, and also first option on the place.

nadia32 · 03-22-2008, 06:13 PM

He can certainly put home for sale- although as tenant-you are the one in possession of home during rental period. Unless you are in the final 30 days of your lease- you do not have to show the home and in the final 30 days you can have showings at your convenience during business hours. You have so many rights as a renter. Landlords can get angry at tenants for not being accomodating- well- then they shouldn't rent out their home.

Ultrarunner · 03-22-2008, 09:45 PM

It really depends on where the property is located as to whether there are local or State laws limiting showings.

Large apartment buildings change ownership all the time and most residents often never know.

Also, many apartments are owned by corporations and corporations merge and shareholders sell.

Your lease or rental agreement is the most important aspect, combined with State and local law, as to the type of restrictions placed on showings. A property can change hands several times... as happens with 1031 exchanges, but your rights to occupy follow your Rental Agreement.

Radek · 03-23-2008, 06:55 PM

Ultra, I'm really glad you became a mod.

Landlord has no obligation to tell you. As a matter of fact, we lost 2 tenants from what we thought were 2 fully occupied duplexes BECAUSE the landlord didn't mention he was selling the property.

One would've stayed, but was already committed to a lease elsewhere.

However, there are rules regarding what notice must be given if the new owner would like to live in it and evict you from the property. Which is another reason why its in everyone's best interest if the tenant knows the property is for sale.

mommabear2 · 03-24-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

Geez.

I can tell you exactly how much of a pain in the ass it could be for the landlord who's trying to sell the property. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can inhibit a sale more effectively than an angry and unhappy tenant.

It's in the best interest of the landlord to give the tenant as much notice as possible, and also first option on the place.

It doesn't take much to upset tenants

. I agree that tenants should be given adequate notice but no one has the right to make it difficult for an owner to sell their property. It's not right and it's slightly immature.