Landlord is selling - what are my rights regarding viewings?

We just found out via a phonecall that the landlord wants to sell. We can't afford to buy. What are our rights regarding viewings? Do we have to allow them, and can we ask to be present? (I do realize that the answer to both of those is probably "No", but it's worth asking just to be sure). Do they have to give notice of viewings in writing, or is a phonecall ok? Are we required to have the place look like a showplace? I really don't like the thought of strangers in my home, especially ones who will be opening things and being fairly invasive.

It makes matters worse that we have way too much stuff, it's hard to really straighten and clean as I'd like, not to mention I have some health issues that slow me down and a husband who is really wonderful in many ways, but at cleaning he is less help than a 5-year-old. Since we found out I've started going through things and tossing out (something my husband was unwilling to do before now, but honestly, we never should've come to this country unless we were will to get rid of about 60% of our stuff -- we rent a flat that is twice the size of anything else we saw and it cost much more than we wanted to spend, just so we could get all of our stuff in, and even still it's way over-crammed). So now we need to shed and organize, and also because if the new owners don't keep renting to us and we have to move, we will need to downsize a lot.

Any tips on any part of the process and rights of being a tenant in a property that is being sold would be very appreciated!

This has happened to my sil 7 times!

They are supposed to give you 24 hours notice.  I think you can be present if you want to be. 

You should read your lease, ours has something in there about showings.

This has happened to my sil 7 times!

They are supposed to give you 24 hours notice.  I think you can be present if you want to be. 

You should read your lease, ours has something in there about showings.

Thanks. I think the lease does say we have to permit showings, but doesn't say whether or not we can be present (I'll dig it out later today and read over it). I'm really hoping they don't start for a couple of weeks. I know no one was ever present in occupied flats we looked at. It would feel a bit odd being here for viewings in some ways, but I think they'd respect privacy a bit more if we were here. And I just feel uncomfortable with all our possessions sitting around. Until I can toss a lot more stuff and free up storage space, a lot of important things are out on tables and desks. The drawers and cupboards are full.

Any idea on if we can ask the landlord to pay for a cleaner to come in? It seems they might want that anyway, if they want the house to have the best foot forward for viewings, but then again, no one likes to offer up things that cost them money. We may end up paying for a thorough clean in the end, but it won't be possible to arrange if we don't get plenty of notice before they start viewings. I'd like to pare down possessions before having someone in to clean if possible, too. This is not going to be fun.

Good luck!  We are the only people of our whole collection of friends that this hasn't happened to.

This happened to us. Our landlord always gave us 24 hours notice and we were usually present, though we eventually stopped because we felt awkward. Fortunately the flat was a piece of junk so no one wanted it, lol.

This happened to us. Our landlord always gave us 24 hours notice and we were usually present, though we eventually stopped because we felt awkward. Fortunately the flat was a piece of junk so no one wanted it, lol.

I would feel very awkward, too. I don't really want to stand around answering questions that I'm not sure I should be truthful about that may cast it in a bad light. I'd probably go the other way and be all sunny, which would make them more likley to buy and also not good, lol. Someone will probably want it because it's nice and modern and big and looks good on the surface, but a lot of the appliances keep having problems and the boiler basically needs to be replaced (or so the many repairmen who've come over the years have said). And the management agency overseeing it has done a lot of shady things. But it's not cheap, so that may slow down sales.

Unless you have a clause in you lease that says you MUST vacate during showings, I would not unless you want to do so. This is your home after all, and if something is broken, stolen, whatever, you may SOL....and up the proverbial w/o a paddle.

With respect to questions, if you are there and someone asks, just tell the viewer that the owner or the agent should provide all information as you wouldn't want to inadvertently give an incorrect answer. It is incumbent upon a buyer to assure themselves that everything is as it should be, or in a satisfactory condition w/r/t the price being paid. You should not comment at all IMHO.

I have to agree with Vadio, I do not think you should say anything at all. If you are positive and then they buy the place and hate it, they will heap curses on your head. If you are negative and they don't buy the place, the landlord will heap curses on your head. Best to stay out of the whole thing as much as possible.

I think it's funny that you are concerned about the appearance of your flat. Why are we like that? If you go to someone's house and it's messy, do you think "oh, she's a bad person," or do you think, "oh, what neat place -- look at the cool stuff!" We are absolutely our own worst critics. It's not really your job to make the place a showplace, and I think everyone understands the clutter that comes with tight living spaces in London. You're being nice enough not to make a fuss over the showings, and that's really the end of your responsibility.

However, were I in your shoes, I would totally overplay the issue with my husband and purge like a maniac.