Landlords

[Melalvai]

We rent our home. After 1 1/2 years, the original landlord sold it. He's a developer, he doesn't hang on to property if he can help it. The current landlord is now selling. I think she's in a fiscal bind. They were both typical landlords (in other words, evil or stupid).

The first transition went smoothly enough, in that it didn't affect us. So I wasn't too worried when she told me she was selling. But recent events have given me concern. I'm worried we might get sold to someone who wants to live in the house, and won't renew our lease, or that she'll try to get us to fix up the place, or the new landlord will have unreasonable terms such as higher rent.

I hate moving. Nothing affordable is in a decent school attendance area. I hate landlords. We aren't ready to buy though, my husband has 2 years of school, I have 2 years left on my postdoc fellowship, future jobs are uncertain. The recent problems have started us looking into options, which is exactly what we did the first time our house was sold to a new landlord.

Thoughts? Ideas? Anyone know how much a landlord can hassle a tenant when they're wanting to sell a property? Just what are we responsible for? We used to own a house, and when we sold it, boy howdy I worked my tail off night and day keeping it spotless. I'm not about to do that for her.

[LBTC]

It does depend on the state you are in. Being a landlord myself, I'm fairly familiar with the British Columbia (Canada) Residential Tenancy Act. You should be able to find the similar document for your state online.

Here, if I sell my rental house, the new owners must give 2 months notice to the tenants that they are going to move into it, and I think they have to give the tenants one month of free rent.

Tenants are supposed to cooperate with the landlord with regards to having the house ready to view, and are always supposed to be given 24 hours notice.

Check into the rules in your area. You may have some protection, but, if a landlord wants to move in, or sell again, there's only so much you can do.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[redrhodie]

Most of what you want to know should be in your lease.

If I were you, I'd try to comply with your landloard's needs. If she's selling for financial reasons, she could end up in foreclosure, and then you'll have no chance of staying in your home. If, on the other hand, you show your place in good condition, and she is able to find a buyer in this terrible housing market, the next owner may see you as an asset to the building, and want you to stay. It's not fun for a landloard to look for a tenant.

[Zen]

It's not fun for a landloard to look for a tennant.

as a former landlord I can certainly attest to that.

[Starfish]

as a former landlord I can certainly attest to that.

I was just wondering how many landlords on TE have now been called evil, stupid, and hated.

[Zen]

I was just wondering how many landlords on TE have now been called evil, stupid, and hated.

hehehe

[Bad JuJu]

I was just wondering how many landlords on TE have now been called evil, stupid, and hated.

I sure am glad I'm not a landlord (landlady?) any longer!

[Melalvai]

I was just wondering how many landlords on TE have now been called evil, stupid, and hated.

I did say only "typical" landlords are evil or stupid. I am always open to the possibility that there exists, in theory, a landlord who is not typical. Or that the earth is actually flat.
Seriously...I know people whom I believe to be basically decent people, who are landlords. However, I personally have never had a landlord who fell into that category.

Thanks for the thoughts & feedback. I guess we'll probably cooperate and do what we can to help her, I just really hate this situation. I've heard horror stories about terrible tenants and I just want to scream, "We're good tenants!" We pay on time, we don't destroy the place with unruly pets, parties, drug habits, or negligence. Why can't anyone appreciate that?