Q My partner has been renting his house up north for around four years, but for the past three years, following difficulties with the letting agents failing to arrange maintenance etc, he has been dealing directly with the tenant rather than using an agency. However, as he knew the tenant he never drew up a formal agreement, only a verbal one. We are getting married this year and, as we are currently renting, have decided we would like to buy a house. We need to sell his house in order to do this. We gave the tenant notice that we would be looking to sell at the end of this year. However, she said there is “no way” she will move out. She said she would like to buy the property, but she is on benefits and cannot afford to do so, and there is nowhere else that suits her. My partner has decided to wait, hoping she will change her mind. I feel slightly guilty pushing him as it is not my house. However, she is not being very reasonable and I am concerned that we should begin to follow some form of proper process and paper trail. Can you advise us? JHA Your right to gain possession of your property depends on the type of agreement you have with your tenant. All lettings are either assured tenancies or assured shorthold tenancies. However, assured tenancies are rare, with 95% of agreements arranged by a letting agent being assured shorthold tenancies – new tenants automatically get the less secure assured shorthold tenancy unless the landlord states in writing that they have an assured tenancy. Continue reading…
Source : theguardian.com
Read more…How can we get a stubborn tenant to move out?
