Owner Wants to Sell Apartment

LWaterBottle on 23/10/2017 - 13:03

Hello everyone!

This is my time posting here, but I've been reading for a long time.
I've seen that usually people can get advice here, and as I am a international student, I thought you could help me.

I've been renting my current place along with a friend through an agent.
The agent has recently told us that the owner wants to sell, but because of our fixed lease doesn't end until the next year, they won't be doing any auction or even advertising until next year.

Now, he also tells us that he has a "buyer advocate" who wants to see the property.
He wants us to let them see the property either tomorrow or Wednesday. And discuss about future access to the property.
Since this person is interstate, he mentions that future access would be about 2 or 3 more times.

I know that this is the owner's property, but can they come and go as they please?
It's not like we keep the place dirty, but it is that our stuff is in here and we are a little concerned of people coming in, looking through our stuff and such.

Should we be aware of something?

Any advice is welcomed 🙂
Thank you!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 23/10/2017 - 13:10
    +4

    Here's some relevant information that you can read
    https://www.tenants.org.au/factsheet-08-access-and-privacy

    it tells you the rights as a tenant and also of the landownder — they can inspect your place but you cannot forbid them from entering.

    see important point

    If the landlord/agent gives you the proper notice (if applicable) and they have a valid purpose, you must allow them to enter. This applies whether or not you are at the premises at the time (see below).

    If the property inspection is for the purpose of "valuing" the property, they can only inspect once in any 12 month period.

    edit
    Seeing as you are in VIC you probably need to refer to this document instead

    • WaterBottle on 23/10/2017 - 13:24

      Thank you!!!

      I just checked the link you provided, and I think it has all the answers 😄

      So yes, he can come and go as he pleases if he is showing the property to a prospective buyer. I think it would be better just to discuss a little bit with the agent so at least we get a heads-up and I can wake up in time, haha

      Thank you!!

      • bobbified on 23/10/2017 - 13:36
        +5

        Because they pretty much have the right to come and go (with notice, of course), it's good to try and be accommodating to their needs where you can(instead of being hostile).

        That way, if you need anything, you can ask them and they may try and accommodate your needs too.

        If, for whatever reason, you make things difficult for them, they'll find ways to make things difficult for you too.

  • esosite on 23/10/2017 - 13:33
    +1

    We’ve just been through this with our apartment. In QLD and presumably generally most states give 24h notice for buyers to show. Our landlord set up dates in advance and we did Wednesday’s and Saturday’s.
    If they are kind they will work with you, if it becomes burdensome you could ask for a rent reduction to compensate.

    Good luck

  • thatonethere on 23/10/2017 - 14:30

    A long time ago when I rented the agent gave us all 2 movie tickets and a bottle of wine to make sure we weren't in the apartment and it was tidy.

    Note you may want to nail down any portable and valuable items when it comes to inspections.

    • jellykingdom on 23/10/2017 - 15:00
      +1

      I literally cannot believe more owners don't do this. Hell, i'd be willing to offer a full week of free rent if it meant my apartment looked clean and tidy for resale.

      I've been into 2 places where we couldn't even see 1 bedroom because a tenant was hungover/passed out in there, and there was so much mess in the kitchen that you couldn't even see the counter top. And another where we couldn't get in, because the tenant was asleep and didn't answer the doorbell

      • Davo1111 on 23/10/2017 - 15:37

        another where we couldn't get in, because the tenant was asleep and didn't answer the doorbell

        why doesnt the landlord have a key?

        • jellykingdom on 23/10/2017 - 16:06

          He presumably trusted the agent and/or the tenant too much

      • jellykingdom on 23/10/2017 - 16:07

        I mean, you'll easy recoup $400-500 if the place looks half way decent and doesn't reek of booze

  • CLoSeR on 23/10/2017 - 14:54

    They need to give you notice as mentioned above, also keep in mind that the owner can sell the property even though you have a fixed lease. The new owner is bound by the conditions of your existing lease and is not able to force you to vacate.

  • CyberMurning on 23/10/2017 - 15:47

    bikies

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