Landlord Selling House and You Can't Afford to Move?
Being told your landlord is selling, when moving is the last thing you can afford, is stressful. The good news is that you have real protections. Your landlord cannot simply order you out, you are entitled to proper notice, and there is help available if the cost of moving is the problem. This guide explains your rights and your options.
At a glance
- Selling alone
- Is not grounds to evict you
- Notice required
- A valid notice, typically 4 months
- First 12 months
- You usually cannot be evicted to sell
- Help with costs
- Council and Discretionary Housing Payments
Key takeaways
- Your landlord wanting to sell is not, by itself, a legal reason to evict you. Simply being told to leave is not a valid notice.
- You are entitled to proper written notice, typically four months where the landlord is selling, under the current rules.
- You usually cannot be evicted to sell in the first 12 months of the tenancy.
- If moving costs are the barrier, your council and Discretionary Housing Payments may be able to help.
Can a landlord evict you just to sell?
No, not on the say-so alone. A landlord who wants to sell must follow the legal process and serve a valid written notice. Under the reformed rules, a landlord selling the property generally relies on a specific ground and must give you around four months' notice, and cannot use it to evict you during the first 12 months of the tenancy.
Being told verbally, or by text, that you need to leave because the landlord is selling is not a legal notice. You do not have to act on it until you receive a valid written notice that follows the correct procedure.
What has to happen for you to be evicted
Even with a valid notice, you do not have to leave the day it expires. If you stay, the landlord must apply to court for a possession order, and:
- They must prove to the court they genuinely intend to sell.
- A court cannot order your eviction if your deposit was not properly protected or returned.
- Only a court-appointed bailiff can lawfully remove you, not the landlord.
This process takes time, which is time you can use to plan your next move and get help.
If you can't afford to move
The cost of a move, a new deposit, rent in advance and removal costs, can be the real problem. Support may be available:
- Talk to your council early. If you are threatened with homelessness within eight weeks, they have a duty to help. See will the council rehouse me if I get evicted.
- Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP). If you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, your council may award a DHP towards moving costs or a rent shortfall.
- Check your benefit entitlement. A change of circumstances can change what you are entitled to; make sure you are claiming everything you can.
- Get free advice. Shelter and Citizens Advice can check your notice is valid and help you plan.
Don't ignore it, but don't panic
The worst thing to do is nothing. Ignoring a valid notice can lead to a court order and, eventually, bailiffs. But equally, do not rush out on the strength of an informal request. The right approach is to check whether any notice is valid, get advice, and line up help with costs and rehousing early, while the legal process runs its course.
Frequently asked questions
Can my landlord make me leave because they are selling? Only by serving a valid notice and, if you stay, getting a court order. Selling is not an automatic right to evict, and a verbal demand is not a legal notice.
How much notice do I get if my landlord is selling? Typically around four months under the current rules, and not within the first 12 months of the tenancy. Check any notice with Shelter or Citizens Advice.
Who helps if I can't afford to move? Your council (especially if you face homelessness), Discretionary Housing Payments, and free advice services like Shelter and Citizens Advice.
Worried about where you will live? Read will the council rehouse me if I get evicted. This is general information, not legal advice; for help with your specific notice, contact Shelter or Citizens Advice.
