My LandLord Just Put My House For Sale!!

United States
October 29, 2007 12:34pm CST
We just moved in at the begining of the month. We had to pull a lot of strings to get in here. We had to borrow money which I dont like doing. We have a one year lease with them. Today they show up and say there puting our house up for sale!! I JUST moved in! I feel she should have atleast talked to me about this first. I understand were only renting but still. I guess she bought a house in Flordia for 300 grand and needs money. Well thats not my fault!! I really hope no one wants to buy this place. I love it here and would hate to have to move again. Im not happy about the whole thing. I dont know if I should call her and talk to her about it. What would you do in this situation?? Any help would be appreciated. Thanx!
9 people like this
23 responses
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
29 Oct 07
OMG !!! How horrible, Im not sure if talking to her would do any good if she has already put it on the market..The only thing I would hope for is that if it got sol, the new owners would want an investment property and keep you'sas the tenants..
3 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
I know right. I hope if it gets sold we can stay here. I really dont want to move again. We just moved her. Uggg!
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
29 Oct 07
You need a lawyer. Yes, the landlord owns the house and does have every right to sell it. However, your signature isn't the only one on the 1 year lease... the landlord's is there too. Unless your lease specifies terms under which the landlord can break the lease, it is just as binding to them as it is to you. Get a lawyer because you can be sure your landlord already has one.
2 people like this
• United States
29 Oct 07
All it says is they can put the house up for rent or sale while you are there. Now if they do have someone interesed do they have the right to come in my home with that person? I really dont want wierd people in my house. I have 2 small children and babysit others. It just wouldnt feel right.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2 Nov 07
If they are selling it, then they will definitely be showing it. Usually landlords have to give a 24 hour notice before coming in uninvited though. Like I said, you really need to consult a lawyer on this one. You do have rights as a renter, but your landlord and their lawyers aren't going to be the ones to let you know what they are.
2 people like this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
14 Nov 07
Thanks for the "Best Response"
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
30 Oct 07
hi copperkitten I know thats the pits I had that happen to me too. But it was a couple of monthes after we moved in. What you have to do is start looking for another place. Because they can do that. You will recieve your security deposit back because its not your fault. So all you have is worrying about getting another place. good luck to you
• United States
30 Oct 07
I really dont think it will sell. The market here sucks. There are 3-4 houses per block for sale. I hate the thoughts of moving again. I like this place. UGG!!
1 person likes this
@kareng (53375)
• United States
30 Oct 07
A lease is a legal document and if it does not contain a clause where she can cancel the lease without any advance warning, then she is bound to the year just like you are. I would call her and inquire about what she is up to. Tell her that you expect her to keep her part of the contract, otherwise you will contact an attorney. She what she has to say :)
@kareng (53375)
• United States
31 Oct 07
Yep, cause she is faulting on her contract with you. I would hold steady and don't let her push you out and give you only a week to move.
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
I really cant afford an attorny. My husband told her that if she makes us move he wants ALL the money we gave her to move in. Which is First and last months rent and a security deposit. She wasnt to happy about that. She should have thought about it before she put it up for sale.
2 people like this
@3lilangels (4639)
• United States
30 Oct 07
wow hon i am so sorry to hear that,what a diaster after all the work you have done to get into that place and now this,what a horrible thing.i hope something can be done where you can stay there.i would try to ask a lawyer for some advice so you can stay there and not have to move again.hope all goes well hon.pattie
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
I know we had to pull alot of strings to get in here. I really hope it dosent sell and we can stay here. Otherwise I want ALL my money back I gave her to move in, first and last months rent plus security deposit.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Oct 07
That is horrible! I have been in a house that was for sale and the landlord always seemed to pick the worst possible time to come show the house. Though I was supposed to have 24 hour notice I did not always get it. Read your lease, including the fine print! Get a lawyer, you might need one. Perhaps you can get a free consultation and explain the situation. I would request that the house only be shown with 24 hour prior notice. That you be there (I made sure I was there when people saw the house, I was very uncomfortable having someone parading through my house if I wasn't there). Hopefully who ever buys the house will want to continue renting it to you. What a difficult time for you! I am so sorry!
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
Thanx. I dont want people in my house at all. In the lease it says she can only come on the property if she gives 24 hour notice. It dosent anywhere say she can bring in prospective buyers. Im angry with the whole situation. She said we could buy the house but never said it was on the market.
1 person likes this
• Kuwait
30 Oct 07
what??? that is horrible. do you have any written contract? How can they do that to you? why is it so fast and not informed you before doing it? That is not professional and i hate dealing with unprofessional persons.. sorry to hear that..
• United States
29 Oct 07
It sucks to rent. My husband wants to do upgrades to the place we rent and I tell him that we shouldn't because we don't own it. The landlord can come along and sell it if he so chooses. I am worried as to what will happen when he retires. You just never know.
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
Renting does suck but Im to young and dont want to buy yet. I would rather wait till I knew I was where I wanted to be for a long time. And you dont know what they will do. Hope all goes good for you.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
29 Oct 07
Can your landlord do that even though you both have signed a 1 year lease agreement? That's what I would be finding out right now and they should of spoken to you about it too. I would be very very annoyed if this happened to me~!
• United States
30 Oct 07
I guess she can. It says in the lease that she has the right to put the property up for sale or rent. It dosent say she can sell it while we are there. I wish she would have talked to us first instead of just showing up with signs. What am I supposed to think?
1 person likes this
• Canada
31 Oct 07
Hi copperkitten, Wow! I'm not really sure what to say. Hopefully the people that buy the house also want it as a rental property and will continue renting it to you. That is weird that she would put it up for sale without even talking to you about it. Love & Hugzz, PurpleTeddyBear.
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
30 Oct 07
I had a friend once in a similar situation. She handled it in a unique kind of way actually. Since she really didn't want to move because she liked the house she was renting she decided to highlight some of the flaws in the house. Just little things like a small leak in the bathroom sink and such. People usually don't want to buy a house that they will have to do repairs on. I suggest that you call a local attorney to see what your rights are. I think the Landlord should have told that she was considering selling the house before she rented it to you.
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
She said that we could buy it if we wanted to but never said it was on the market. If I would have known that I wouldnt have moved in to begin with.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
30 Oct 07
That does stink! You might luck out and if it gets sold the new owners will leave everything the way it is. They have to at least until your lease runs out don't they? I had a friend in the same situation and it took forever for the house to sell. When people came to see it she made sure she mentioned the down sides of the place. lol....
• United States
30 Oct 07
If the house is sold and we agree to move then we will, otherwise we will stay till the lease is up. I really dont think with the market the way it is that the house will sell. She has one in another town that has been for sale for 3 years now. I dont think I have to worry but you never know.
1 person likes this
@brendakaya (2332)
• United States
30 Oct 07
I would have thought they couldn't make you move until the lease is up. What's the purpose of having a lease, if it don't mean anything? I think I'd go see a lawyer, and see if she's allowed to do that. What does your lease say? DId you mention the possibility of salling it, when she rented it to you? It doesn't sound right, to me. I'd be extremely mad.
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
When we signed the lease she told us that if we decided we liked the place alot we could buy it from her. She never said anything about selling it to anyone else. All the lease says it that she can put the property up for sale or lease but cant make us move unless we violate the lease.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 Oct 07
hi Copperkitten I feel for you hun. you do have renters rights, a 1 year lease is a comitment on your part and on the landlords. if your landlord wants you out then ask them to buy out the rest of your lease. see what they say about that. you can also get an lawyer and fight it. My daughter did but her landlady had money and needless to say she lost .. and had to move anyway. but its worth a try . i realy hope it goes your way. its not fare for landlords to up and sign a lease and ask you to move before the lease is up. its not fare and its hard on everyone. good luck sweetie. i wish and pray for the best for you keep me posted
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
Thanx grandmaturtle. We really cant afford a layer. My husband told her that if she makes us move before the lease is up he wants ALL the money we spent getting in here which was first, last moths rent, and a security deposit. She didnt sound happy about that. But to bad!!!!
2 people like this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
30 Oct 07
I am sorry to hear about the situation that you were put in and hope that you can continue staying there til your lease is up. As the other members mentioned, you may need to seek a lawyer to make sure they are not breaking the contract you have with them. Hope you are able to work things out with them. I would be upset too if I was in your position.
@livewyre (2450)
30 Oct 07
I don't know what the local law says, but where I come from, the property would be sold with a 'sitting tenant' which means that your lease will be taken over by a new landlord, nothing changes, just the name of the property owner. The chances are that under those circumstances, the new owner will probably want the property to rent out to people like you.. ie. an investment property, NOT to live in themselves. You should check terms of your tenancy and local law to see whether your new landlord would have the right to raise your rent, that is the main thing to concentrate on, as long as you pay your rent, your tenancy SHOULD be assured for the time left on your lease.
2 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
30 Oct 07
Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I would call her up and talk to her about it. Just make sure to keep it calm and nice. Maybe ask her some questions as to whether she will be telling prospective buyers that there are tenants already in the house, and whether you will be required to move, or fill out another rental agreement with the new owners. She has to let you know what is going on. Please keep us posted as to what is happening hon. I really hope you get to stay in your new home.
2 people like this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
29 Oct 07
Since you have a lease with the present owner their going to be required to make sure that anyone buying the home is going to honor that lease otherwise she's breaking it. Should the landlord break it you can take her to court. Read it very carefully to see just what all is in the print.
2 people like this
• United States
30 Oct 07
I would try to bring this up in court.
2 people like this
@tlb0822 (1410)
• United States
30 Oct 07
I would probably seek legal advice since you do have a lease. That way you can clearly view the terms of the lease and your right to remain in the home for the next year. I hope that things work out for you and your family.
2 people like this