Renter needs legal advice - HELP!!!

[MasterQ]

If anyone out there has some information concerning this it would be much appreciated.

I signed a year lease - several months are left... I found out today that the owner plans to sell.
What rights do I have concerning that lease... and tenancy after the property changes hands... How long do I have etc. before moving... ....?

Also I have a small daughter, and tired wife.... What options or rights do we have when the realtor comes knocking... requesting we leave so they can show the house etc... I do not feel comfortable about that, my family be forced to leave, not to mention valuables left unprotected.


Please help... Any laws etc. you could mention would help!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thanks!

 

[EagleKeeper]

The new owner MUST honor the original lease. At the end of the term, anything goes.

 

[CoffeeIsGod]

It all depends where you are - is it an appartment / house etc. More details and we may be able to help

 

[Scarpozzi]

I'm no lawyer and this may actually change from state to state since it's a commerce type issue, but I would think that most states would force the new owner to honor the lease until it expires. Then they can either ask you to leave (giving you 30 days notice) or increase/decrease your rent for the new leasing period.

 

[CoffeeIsGod]

Have a look at Tenants Union Directory for local laws / contacts for help / advice

 

[MasterQ]

Thanks for the help so far...

The location is a Duplex... I live in Kansas.

I'm getting the idea from some of the responses that the new owner must fulfill the lease... does anyone have any information that could substantiate that?

Thanks!!

 

[Rage187]

When my former Landlord sold our old place, the realtor was over all the time..


But it was in the lease that they are allowed to show it to potential buyers..



More than likely your out of luck..


Read your lease and see if there are any expressed terms dealing w/ such a situation..

 

[sgopal2]

Umm....but did you actually read the lease???

All the info you are asking is typically covered in a lease agreement.

 

[ChrichtonsGirl]

I can't quote you statutes, but when the duplex we were renting was sold about seven years ago, the new owner had to honor my existing lease. After it was up, she was free to change whatever she wanted, including not renting it to us anymore. When it was being shown by the realtor, we were never asked to leave the house, and we never would have. I don't think they can make you leave when they show it. It's your space while you're renting, and unless it was specifically stated in your lease that you'd leave whenever they asked, you don't have to go anywhere while you're still under the lease.

Has the current owner given you a reason to be worried about whether or not your lease will be honored? I'm asking because in most cases, it's sort of a moot point that the new owner keeps the existing agreement, but can change it when it expires. I also haven't ever heard of a tenant being told to get out while the place is being shown, and I used to be a rental agent for a huge complex of apartments.

 

[dman]

If you have a specific question about a portion of the language in your Lease, you could request help here: Free Advice

I think, therefore, you need to read your lease and see what it has to say about termination clauses and speak to the landlord to see what they may have planned. Most likely, my guess is, they will let you stay through the term.

 

[Geekbabe]

The building I live in was just sold and we never had to leave while the place was being shown, in fact the law here in MA requires that tenants be given 24 hours notice prior to each showing. I just gave my place one super deep cleaning,concentrating on area's where prospective buyers would be sure to look,like under the kitchen sink. I also made sure to brew a pot of coffee right before each showing (gives a place a nice homey smell)

As far as your lease goes I'd think they'd be legally required to honor it. Keep in mind that when folks are looking to buy investment property,they usually view the building being occupied by stable rent paying tenants who want to stay as a plus.

 

[classy]

In NJ I believe if I remember correctly that the lease is void in the event of a sale. The new owner doesn't have to honor the lease. I believe its to protect the owner from having a tenant disrupt the sale of property. They have to give 30 days or 60 days but thats it. But the owner is suppose to notify you when the property first is put on the market.

 

[cavingjan]

I've looked at a few places that were being rented when I was in the process of buying my house. The realtor can work around you but it is a little uncomfortable for when someone comes in a they systematically (out loud) assess the condition of the house. Most of the renters left for the 20 minutes or so that I was there. Not that difficult to grab a book and go read on the deck out back or walk around the block for a few minutes. Keep really expensive things out of sight (jewelry and such) if you are really concerned about theft but that would look bad on the realtor and they would not willingly allow such things to happen.