Advice needed - rented house up for sale

[JohnB_2007]

Hi,

We moved into our rented house in Sept 07 (via a letting agent). We had been asked to leave our previous rented house because the landlord wanted to move in.

This time, we took extra special care to select a house which wasn't going to be sold and that the landlord didn't want to move in.

The one we chose the landlord said that the house is his pension and he wouldn't be selling for at least 20 years.

4 months in, he told us hes selling but to a buy to let investor so there was no problem, we'd be able to stay. We agreed to this and we met our new landlord. Everything was fine, we liked him and he liked us. he said he just needed to sort the finance and at the end of the 6 month contract we'd sign a new one with him. We got to 6 months and had not heard much else about the sale. The landlord rang us and said the guy still wants to buy, but hes waiting until the market improves or something. He said that we'd terminate any agreement with the agency and take up a new 6 month contract with him. As he was busy, he asked could I get onto the agent and tell them. We had a good relationship with him so I did not mind, as I worked from home.

I contacted the agents and told them but they said the landlord cant do that as he has to give them 3 months notice of termination of his contract with them. Anyway, we are on month 7 of our 6 month contract and have no new contract in place.

2 weeks ago I got a call from the letting agency asking us is it ok if they come and value the property, as, as i know, the landlord is selling it. I foolishly presumed this was to the guy we had met, so I agreed and said it was fine. I was due to leave the next day for a holiday so said they could come in while I was away and to their evaluation.

I come back a week later and found a for sale board up. The agents didn't tell me this was going to happen, neither did the landlord.

To add insult to injury, they have several pictures of every room on their website, in the shop window and on brochures. Its all my furniture and personal things. They didn't ask permission to take any pictures at all. I am so angry my personal things are plastered all over the place. They describe the house as "beautifully presented" its like they used my stuff to stage the place to make it look better.

What can I do to have the pictures removed? Also, what can I do about the whole situation.

I asked the agents how much notice I have to give to leave (no contract remember) they said I have to give a month and they have to give us 2 months.

Do I really need to give notice since I have no contract now?

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

[hells_bells110]

I did read that even if there is not contract a 'tenancy' still exists, I would think that one months notice would be correct.

Print the agents details and keep them in case you have any probs getting your deposit back.

Do you want to leave or do you want to wait and see how quickly it is sold?

Sounds like they are being a bit discourteous to you, but I don't know what the law is.

[droddis]

There is a an agreement in place, to protect both partys. when your previous contract ended you were automatically transfered to a contractual periodic tenency. In which you and the agent/landlord are both required to give 2 months notice to leave.

If you want security i would suggest that you ask to enter another fixed term shorthold tenancy, for 6+ months. if they agree to this, then even if the property is sold to a new owner they will be oblidged to maintain the contract, and will not be able to ask you to leave without waiting for the fixed period to end and will still also be required to give 2 months notice.

David