Landlord selling with 5wks left of contract

Hey!
We are currently renting, been here almost 12mths. Got a call from the real estate to confirm the inspection tomorrow. He's also told me that the owners are selling. A good price too, cheaper than anything in the area, and not to panic. Maybe an investor will buy the place. Well, panic set in. We have 5 weeks left of our contract, pretty sure the house goes on the market Monday.

Checked out some rentals online today (calling one place tomorrow). There's a house that's perfect for us, just down the road. It's great (a lil more than we're paying now, but fits our needs better) but it's available tomorrow.

We don't want to break our lease, but want that place. What can I say to the real estate when I call? Do we say Next Week, and have to pay 4wks of dual rent? Is that the right thing to do?

What do I ask? How do I word it? Is it just better to move out now, paying both rent?

I just don't want to leave it til the last minute. Besides, if the real estate agent takes ppl thru the place when it's for sale, wouldn't it be better for them to see it unfurnished, instead of all our stuff all neatly organised or boxed?

We're so confused!!

don't panic! Houses often take a while to sell, so it may take longer than 5 weeks anyway. The landlord would have to give you notice if the house does sell, and if you did want to stay there after your contract is up then I'm pretty sure the new owners would have to let the real estate know if they wanted tenants or not.

As for breaking your contract if you wanted to move to the other house, what does it say in your lease agreement? I know for ours we have to keep paying rent until our lease runs out or until new tenants are found.

Hmm hate to disagree - but our house sold in 2 days of being on the market - however - settlements are usually for 30 days ;) So there's your four weeks. Thats probably why they are putting it on the market now.

Can you apply for the other place and say your moving in date is 5 weeks away? They might accept it, you never know!! :D

I'd talk to your property manager - having a house on the market is a PIA, an inconvenience for you having to deal with the distruption. I would be trying to negotiate a reduced rent for the period of inspections/sale at the very least. TBH I think if you have the house set up well it is easier to sell it when there are people living in it - a house that is empty can look smaller than it is. Perhaps ring the rental tribunal in your state too - I am not sure but you may be able to vacate with less notice if the house is to be sold anyway. Have they issued you with any official notices, they need to as formal notice - check bc they may be trying to have their cake and eat it too IYKWIM.
From my experience renters often have more rights than they are aware of. Good luck.

I think the law is they have to give you 2 months notice to vacate. I'm going by what people I know have been given when they've had to leave a rental.

I'd have a word with the real estate if you want to take that place and see what they say. Otherwise wait and see. And the other thing is if they do ask you to vacate they can't kick you out til you find a place. They'll give you the 2 months and expect you to find something in that time.

Actually Queensland law specifies that they only have to give you 30 days notice ;)

well, we've looked at that place. It's what we're after. Going to put in the application shortly. Our current landlord said he'd see what he could work out with the owners if we do find somewhere.

Now to find a pen, fill out the application and take it in. Hope for the best!

Best of luck hun. There's no way you'd need to be out of the place you're in before the contract is up - as Mel said, settlement will be at least 30 days. However rentals are scarce around our area at the moment so I wouldn't miss the opportunity to take a place that you like now. Hopefully the landlords will do the right thing by you so it won't be too much of a finiancial burden.

That's what we're hoping MR. Real estate said he doesn't want us to paying double rent, and if it came down to that he'll talk to the owners. Then he asked if I was busy tomorrow around 10
as he's showing a prospective buyer thru. Seeing that's hAppening already, we looked at the other place and putin our application. Apparently Monday at the latest we'll know. Not 10 mins after submitting it, I turned up at fil's and he's already had a call from then ( he was our previous landlord).