Landlord selling house

[JBSZZZ]

What are a tenant's rights when a landlord puts the house on the market to be sold six months before the lease is up? I have been showing the house 2-4 times a day. This is a hassle and an invasion of privacy. Would this be considered a breach of the lease agreement? Can I move? I would like to.

 

[ALawyer]

Your rights really depend on what the lease says. So does the landlord's rights to enter your apartment. If he does not have a right to do so, Just Say No.

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This is intended as general information only and NOT LEGAL ADVICE. You are not my client, and I have no obligation of any kind to you. To retain a lawyer, go to http://AttorneyPages.com

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JBSZZZ:
What are a tenant's rights when a landlord puts the house on the market to be sold six months before the lease is up? I have been showing the house 2-4 times a day. This is a hassle and an invasion of privacy. Would this be considered a breach of the lease agreement? Can I move? I would like to.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


My response:

Stop being a patsy! Unless your lease agreement specifies that you must make the property available for showing, then don't. Tell the owner you don't have any more time for such business matters. Remind the landlord that, during the term of the lease, you are entitled to your "quiet enjoyment" of the premises. In other words, and for all intents and purposes, those premises are yours for the duration of the lease and you have the right to allow, or not allow, someone on the premises. You have a contract.

The following is a re-print of a terrific response Tracey wrote to a similar inquiry. It was so good, and beneficial, I thought I'd print it here for you.

BY TRACEY: "When you have the one year lease signed, record it on the parcel number of the house. The new owner takes the house subject to your existing lease and can't make you move if you don't want to. If the current owner or the new owner wants you to move, they have to bribe you. Make them pay you any moving expenses and any extra rent you have to pay at the new place. In other words, charge all the traffic will bear!"

Good luck to you,

IAAL

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[Tracey]

::blush:: It's so nice to be quoted!

Seriously, though, check out you state's residential landlord tenant act. Most RLTAs allow tenants to sue L for abuse of access (insufficient notice or too many visits). Damages are usually 1-3 months' rent. Also, unless L is paying you an hourly rate, you are not responsible for showing the house. Send L written notice (certified, return receipt) that you will only allow the house to be shown between 6 and 9 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. on weekends. (Since no one can move in until your 6 months are up, it's not like restricted showing hours will significantly slow the sale.) If L shows the house when you're at work, L is liable for any damage/theft/loss you incurr during the showing.

Draw the line in the sand and double dog dare him to step over it!

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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.