Selling With Tenants? Use a Local Conveyancing Solicitor

Selling a house with tenants in situ, or sitting tenants, they are sometimes called, raises different challenges to those of selling a property under normal circumstances. As well as all the usual property information, you also need to present documentary evidence to create an attractive business case for the buyer. That’s where working with your local conveyancing solicitors at Holdens Law can really help. 

The law on sitting tenants

The laws covering tenants are changing significantly in 2025, with the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill. This is expected to gain Royal Ascent at the end of 2025 and be introduced in early 2026. 

This new law removes the right of landlords to evict tenants under a Section 21 or ‘no fault’ eviction. It also abolishes Assured Short-Term Tenancies, also known as fixed term tenancies. All existing tenancies will automatically be converted to rolling tenancies when the law comes into effect. Renters will also be given a twelve-month protected term at the start of their tenancy, after which four months’ notice will be required to evict them.

Since these new laws make it much harder to evict sitting tenants, in order to sell with vacant possession, many landlords are choosing to sell their rental properties as a going concern, with tenants in situ. This will inevitably restrict the pool of interested buyers, so it is important to make the property as attractive as possible for potential investors.

What you need to show potential buyers

Selling a property with tenants in situ involves a significant amount of extra documentation. Your local conveyancing solicitors, Holdens Law, will help you prepare these documents to show to your buyers and their solicitors. Potential buyers will want to see a range of information about your tenants, including: 

• The tenancy agreements

• Details of any protected tenancy under the new 12-month rule

• Records of tenants’ payment history

Buyers will also want to know additional details about the property itself, including:

• Details of any property management fees 

• Details of any letting agency fees

• Any other details relevant to the investment /return

It is important to provide as much information as possible in order to attract the maximum interest in your tenanted property. This will increase the chances of selling your property sooner and help you to achieve the best possible price. 

How Holdens Law can help

As your local conveyancing solicitors, Holdens Law can provide you with up-to-date advice when it comes to selling a property with tenants in situ.

If you are selling straight away, before the changes take effect, we can explain your position as a landlord under the current legislation, the Housing Act of 1988. Either way, Holdens Law will help you to understand your rights, and those of your tenants, so you can navigate the sale of your property swiftly and smoothly. 

Once you have found an investment buyer, the experienced team of local conveyancing solicitors at Holdens Law have the understanding and expertise to keep your property sale moving. We will stay in constant contact with both you and your buyers’ solicitor, to ensure that everyone has all the information they need at all times, so there are no delays or difficulties with the sale.

If you are looking to sell a property with tenants in situ, talk to your local conveyancing solicitors at Holdens Law today for expert advice on the latest legislation. Contact us today by calling 01524 32484 for Holdens Law Lancaster office or 01539 720629 for our Kendal team.