Advice needed on landlord selling, time pressures and financial offer.

[happiness38]

I have lived in same place for going on three years. Lease was not renewed heading into year 3 and I never heard from letting agent with regard to this. leases started April 2010. I got a phonecall 3 weeks ago from letting agent informing me that the property would be going up for sale and I would have statutory 50 something days to vacate. I also recieved this in writing by post.
A week later I recieved a phone call from letting agent asking what my progress was saying things had changed and owners now want to purchase another property and need to put the house up for sale as soon as possible. I explained I was looking around as per our last conversation and that I'm sure it would work out but I hadn't found anything yet, am self employed and work most weekends as well as midweek.
Roll on another week and 5pm friday a letter posted into my letterbox by hand reiterating previous phone conversation 'put the house up for sale and for you to facilitate this, it would of course involve a financial arrangement for you.'
So in between working I'm fitting in acking and viewings, nowhere near where i live now, choices are limited when you are under pressure. Would love some feedback on how to proceed. We have never had any problems and I guess they really need the sale to get the other property and want to compensate. I'm packing with nowhere to go ? what is a realistic offer ?

 

[DaveSt]

Sounds like they are doing things by the book, a landlord can break a tenancy agreement if they are selling the property or need it to live in themself.

 

[facetious]

I'm packing with nowhere to go ? what is a realistic offer ?

What is it worth to you to have this disruption to your life and work? You are entirely free to refuse any viewing by the EA or landlord as it would be a breach of your rights to an exclusive and peaceful enjoyment of the property.

Will you lose business / income if you have to be at the property for viewings - how much will it cost you?

Under circumstances where a landlord buys out the lease of a tenant, I would normally suggest a month's or two rent and if early on in a lease, also moving expenses. However, as you have been given you 56 days notice, and already some of that has been used up, it would be unrealistic for the landlord to offer more than one month's rent (and probably not worth that much to him) as you will have to vacate now in about a month's time.

Even if the landlord had a buyer, it would take probably in the region of 6 to 8 weeks before contracts were signed and the sale closed so the landlord still has time to play with. However, his main point of interest at present may be getting your permission for viewings as legally, the landlord is only entitled to enter the property for periodic inspections (or repairs) by appointment at a time convenient to both landlord and tenant.

If you require a reference for your future landlord, if you are not willing to allow viewings you may find that the landlord is not willing to give you a reference of any real value.