Section 21 Eviction Notice

[ferlew]

My son and daughter in law have been renting a house for some 14 years.
Yesterday they had an email from the Landlords agent saying the landlord wants to sell the property, and they will discuss notice with him.
They are worried sick (they now have 2 children, 9 and 12).
How much notice are they entitled to, and what happens in these cases, they live just outside London, and I believe it's not terribly easy to find something suitable in a short time.
Any information will be welcome.

[jno]

have they got a copy of the rental agreement?

[ferlew]

I am not sure, more than likely they have, she is very efficient in that respect.

[tamborine]

If they pay rent monthly, it's generally one month notice.

[jno]

two months

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/section_21_eviction/section_21_eviction_process

[agchristie]

Sorry to hear this ferlew.

It probably came like a bolt out of the blue and be unnerving.

Jno has sent a good link and I hope things work out.

[KARL]

Since the landlord has taken the trouble to contact them informally to discuss the situation, it would be my assumption that he/she is intending to conduct this in the least disruptive manner possible. It would seem prudent for the tenants to waste no time in looking for new accommodation. The let having lasted this long one assumes both parties have been satisfied up to now so there is no reason to think the landlord is aiming to be awkward/strict/to the letter. It is conceivable that he/she wants to give your son and daughter in law adequate time (within reason) to move out so maybe he/she will put the place on the market accordingly, hand over once the tenants are out (at the latest.....date X). The tenants should get their affairs in order with some urgency.

[ferlew]

I will pass on that link after I have read it, thanks JNO.
Thanks also Karl and Ag,
They are meeting with the agent on Monday I think, the Landlord is in the USA.
They have already started to box up non everyday items, and have had a couple of trips to the tip.
Like you say Ag, it's just out of the blue, and had really shocked and upset them.

[agchristie]

Not a nice situation ferlew.

Keep us posted x

[BAKERS DOZEN]

I would ask the agent if he could assist in finding them similar accommodation in the same area. Assuming the children go to local schools they would want to stay in the same catchment area. Make sure they get their deposit back even though it will probably not be anything like the deposits they may be asked for nowadays. Good luck to them. Hope it all pans out ok.

[ferlew]

Thanks all, whilst we fully understand the Landlord's need to realise his cash, it is a shock after all this time he has intimated the tenancy is indefinite.
Will report back tomorrow after they have met.

[ferlew]

Sorry it's taken so long to update you all, so much going on.
Right....
Chat with agent brought about an amicable agreement about them moving out. Also, the Agent has been able to agree there will be leeway as to the dates.
Currently looking at properties that are suitable to buy, as they have been told the value of the mortgage they could raise. (They have been saving for a deposit for a long time now)
If no suitable property to buy, they will have to consider renting elsewhere.
Phone call this morning with son, he and wife are now discussing whether or not to actually buy the property they are in, even tho' they don't care that much for it as it is, but hopefully adding an extension.
Don't know where it will all end, but things don't look quite as scary as a couple of weeks ago.
Will update you further on.

[Hopkirk]

They'll probably look back in a few years and say it was a good thing.

It happened to us, and though the landlord was prepared to be flexible, we were moved inside 2 months.