Tenant Rights during house sale during COVID-19
Member since 2020 · 12 posts · 1 vote
Hi,
We are in the process of selling one of our houses in Connecticut. The house has had a tenant for years. We let her know in January of our intent to sell. She was not happy but also not willing to buy. Then COVID-19 happened and put of respect for her and her family we stopped showings. Now as things have slowed down in CT we want to show it again, and shes giving us a hard time citing she doesn't want people in her house because of COVID-19. What do we do? She's on a month to month lease.
Thanks,
Melissa
Speak to an attorney @Melissa T. A few weeks ago I would have sided with her (when we were in the middle of a strict "stay at home" order), but now that we are already in phase 2, you may have a bit more leverage. I hate to say it, but if she's not "allowing" you to show it, then it may be time to consider moving her out, especially since she is on a month to month lease.
She probably realizes that her days at this property are counted and is trying to buy herself some time. Unfortunately that doesn't seem like it's working out for you and you may be better off cutting your losses while you're ahead.
Best of luck, and keep us posted. We're getting ready to list a 5 unit property in East Hartford next week and this is something we definitely have some reservations about.
CT state Realtors have plenty of precautions in place for showings during this time. Everyone will wear masks and gloves and keep spaced. She doesn't have to be there.
Or offer to put her up in a hotel for a weekend and have it cleaned after all the showings. Because truthfully, in this market, you will just need to show it for a weekend and you'll have several offers.
Lastly, I assume your lease has words in there about allowing access. If proper notice was provided, and CT is in phase II with proper protection and all there should be little risk. Like @Filipe Pereira said, sounds like she's stalling you. Tell her she can either live there during or here's your 30day notice.
@Filipe Pereira I've been showing properties and walking through with a ton of clients these last few months all though all phases of all this. It hasn't been terrible at all. In fact, it hasn't slowed much of anyone. Most are doing two showings, once of common and vacant units, and 2nd showings for occupied units. This reduces the number of people going through the occupied units. I'd say, however, most of the tenants i've been dealing with pretty much didn't really care too much about it at all. A few had elder parents that all they did was make sure they were gone at the time of the showing. I don't think you'll have any issues.
Good luck!
@Filipe Pereira I've been showing properties and walking through with a ton of clients these last few months all though all phases of all this. It hasn't been terrible at all. In fact, it hasn't slowed much of anyone. Most are doing two showings, once of common and vacant units, and 2nd showings for occupied units. This reduces the number of people going through the occupied units. I'd say, however, most of the tenants i've been dealing with pretty much didn't really care too much about it at all. A few had elder parents that all they did was make sure they were gone at the time of the showing. I don't think you'll have any issues.
Good luck!
Lucky you. We showed up to a duplex a couple of weeks ago to show the property and the tenants had locked all the doors and removed the lock box. They said they even called the police when the previous agent tried to show the unit. The agent and their buyers were not granted access.
We spoke to a couple of attorneys on this matter, and generally speaking they said that it's within a tenant's rights to decline showings due to covid. again, that was a couple of weeks ago when things were much different, but still had me second-guessing when to list.
@Filipe Pereira I've been showing properties and walking through with a ton of clients these last few months all though all phases of all this. It hasn't been terrible at all. In fact, it hasn't slowed much of anyone. Most are doing two showings, once of common and vacant units, and 2nd showings for occupied units. This reduces the number of people going through the occupied units. I'd say, however, most of the tenants i've been dealing with pretty much didn't really care too much about it at all. A few had elder parents that all they did was make sure they were gone at the time of the showing. I don't think you'll have any issues.
Good luck!
Lucky you. We showed up to a duplex a couple of weeks ago to show the property and the tenants had locked all the doors and removed the lock box. They said they even called the police when the previous agent tried to show the unit. The agent and their buyers were not granted access.
We spoke to a couple of attorneys on this matter, and generally speaking they said that it's within a tenant's rights to decline showings due to covid. again, that was a couple of weeks ago when things were much different, but still had me second-guessing when to list.
WOW.
Fun times! Well that is probably why there is a huge shortage of inventory right now and crazy bidding wars. Each property my clients have put in offers on have had 6+ over asking offers in under 48 hrs. That's everything from SFH owner occupied to 6+ apartment buildings. Absolutely NUTS right now.
At what point will it be no longer within their right do you think? As you and I well know, if a Tenant knows they've got a good thing going and fear getting told to leave they will do everything they can to stall the sale.
I would speak to an attorney, but at this point, I feel as long as the Realtor showing the property is using the proper precautions while showing the property, it is safe to show. If the tenant wants to make it difficult, give her notice to vacate, and wait for her to leave.
@Filipe Pereira I've been showing properties and walking through with a ton of clients these last few months all though all phases of all this. It hasn't been terrible at all. In fact, it hasn't slowed much of anyone. Most are doing two showings, once of common and vacant units, and 2nd showings for occupied units. This reduces the number of people going through the occupied units. I'd say, however, most of the tenants i've been dealing with pretty much didn't really care too much about it at all. A few had elder parents that all they did was make sure they were gone at the time of the showing. I don't think you'll have any issues.
Good luck!
Lucky you. We showed up to a duplex a couple of weeks ago to show the property and the tenants had locked all the doors and removed the lock box. They said they even called the police when the previous agent tried to show the unit. The agent and their buyers were not granted access.
We spoke to a couple of attorneys on this matter, and generally speaking they said that it's within a tenant's rights to decline showings due to covid. again, that was a couple of weeks ago when things were much different, but still had me second-guessing when to list.
WOW.
Fun times! Well that is probably why there is a huge shortage of inventory right now and crazy bidding wars. Each property my clients have put in offers on have had 6+ over asking offers in under 48 hrs. That's everything from SFH owner occupied to 6+ apartment buildings. Absolutely NUTS right now.
At what point will it be no longer within their right do you think? As you and I well know, if a Tenant knows they've got a good thing going and fear getting told to leave they will do everything they can to stall the sale.
Oh yeah, *really* fun times. I think now is as good as a time since this whole thing started. Theoretically things should be opening up more and more and the "rules" should be relaxed as the days go on. Given CT is already in phase two, I think it's just a matter of time before tenants realize the tables have turned. I think the biggest change will come once the eviction moratorium is over. At that point I think the tide change will be very clear.
Or at least I hope so...