Trying to sell your tenanted property?

We all know it can be a stressful time when putting your house up for sale, but does it make things harder having a tenant there? We have compiled a couple of things you will need to be aware of in terms of your tenants’ rights.

Unfortunately you can’t just kick your tenants out because you want to sell. You have a signed fixed lease which means that the tenant can remain within the property until the end of the lease, whether that means you wait until the term has finished, or you sell the property and the new owner becomes the landlord. You do have the right to show potential buyers around the property however, you have to keep an equal balance as the tenants also have the right to ‘quiet enjoyment’.

Before anything goes ahead, the best thing to do is have an agreement in writing between you and your tenant on how to proceed next.

This agreement should include:

• Make an agreement about what can be photographed to be used as your interior selling photos. Some tenants may want to remove personal possessions such as, family photographs, which they don’t want to be included.
• The landlord or agent should be respectful of your tenants’ working times etc. and arrange viewings only when a convenient time has been arranged with the tenant with at least 24 hours notice.
• Whether or not the tenant will be paying a reduced rent as compensation.

Of course, all of this can be adjusted to your personal preferences. If you (the landlord) chose to opt out of a reduced rent, then you need to be prepared as the tenant to may make a claim later on. They may keep a record of the number of times the property was viewed and how long they had to stay out of the property for these viewings. These inconveniences may be used to gain compensation for interfering with their rights. But don’t panic, they have to prove that it was substantial for their claim to be successful.

These guidelines will (hopefully) be able to get you through selling your property and handle your tenants professionally. However, if you have any problems, please speak to a property professional who will be able to guide you through the process.

Our surveyor in Stoke said: “Lastly, and in my eyes, most importantly, don’t forget to instruct an Independent Surveyor to value your property to ensure that you get the right price!”

Call our Surveyors today on 0800 880 6024.

Do you have any tips for us? Have you sold your property recently and did you have any problems dealing with your tenants? We’d love to hear your advice!

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

small house bird box
Breaking News

UK First Time Buyers better off than many other global nations

Is it really that bad being a first-time buyer? UK better off than many other global nations when it comes to affordability The latest market analysis from Yopa, the full-service estate agents, reveals that first-time buyers (FTBs) in the UK may be paying 63% more to get a foot on the property ladder than they…
Read More
new build homes colchester essex
Breaking News

Building Safety Regulator Reform

The Government has announced reforms to the Building Safety Regulator, including leadership, process and investment. The changes are hoped to deliver 1.5 million homes. The reforms pave the way for creation of a single construction safety regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower enquiry. David Smith, property litigation partner at London law firm Spector Constant…
Read More
Breaking News

New anti-money laundering rules now in effect: what landlords need to know

New anti-money laundering (AML) rules came into effect this month, marking a significant change for landlords and the lettings industry as a whole. The new rules mean financial sanctions checks are now required for all lettings, regardless of how much rent is charged. Here, Steve Bond, managing director of residential lettings for Beresfords, explains what…
Read More
Breaking News

What landlords need to know about the upcoming Renters Rights Bill

The government’s long-awaited Renters Rights Bill is one of the most significant overhauls of the private rental sector in decades. While it has not yet received royal assent, the legislation is expected to come into effect late this year, or early in 2026. With the bill moving closer to becoming law, Steven Bond, managing director…
Read More
Breaking News

Mortgage approvals bounce back in May

The latest figures show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for May sat at 63,032 up 3.9% from 60,656 in April. The monthly increase seen in May marks the end of four months of previous decline, with approval levels having fallen each month since January of this year. Approvals are also 2.5% higher than…
Read More
Breaking News

Money and Credit – May 2025

Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals increased by £2.8 billion to £2.1 billion in May, following a large decrease in net borrowing of £13.8 billion to -£0.8 billion in April. Net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,400 to 63,000 in May. Approvals for remortgaging also increased by 6,200 to 41,500…
Read More