Landlord selling the house we are renting. How quickly can we be kicked out?

[Anonymous]

The house we are renting is up for sale and given the market in this neighborhood we assume it will sell very quickly. The new owners will want us out. What are our rights under DC law and how much time can we reasonably expect to be able to stay in this house? Thanks

[Anonymous]

You sort of left off some information there...like when your lease expires.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a signed lease? If so, how much time is left on it. If your lease goes for another 9 months they can't make you move before that.

[Anonymous]

At least 30 days.

[Anonymous]

https://ota.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ota/publication/attachments/2015%2007%2003%20OTA%20DC%20Tenant%20Bill%20of%20Rights%20ODAI-OTA%20FINAL.pdf

[Anonymous]

When the owner's rights to ownership are sold, it is subject to any other contracts on the house (i.e. your lease). So, if you have a yearly lease, the new owner take the ownership subject to your lease. If you have a month to month lease, then they just have to give you the notice time that is specified in your lease. It could be 60 or 30 days.

[Anonymous]

https://ota.dc.gov/page/information-tenants

[Anonymous]

When is your lease up? If you're on a yearly term they have to honor that, even if it's not the first yearly term. If you're month to month, they have to honor the cancellation period spelled out in the lease.

This information would be in your lease. Check things like what it says if nobody takes renewal action; for example, if at 1 year no one signs up for another year, does that default to month-to-month, or another full year's term?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The house we are renting is up for sale and given the market in this neighborhood we assume it will sell very quickly. The new owners will want us out. What are our rights under DC law and how much time can we reasonably expect to be able to stay in this house? Thanks

You don't really know this yet though. The new owners may be buying the property as an investment and not as primary residence.

In any case, PP are correct. The new owners have to honor the existing lease.

[Anonymous]

Talk to a TOPA lawyer - you may be sitting pretty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Talk to a TOPA lawyer - you may be sitting pretty.

+1 i thought it was next to impossible for a DC landlord to sell when they had tenants (without the tenants signing away their rights/first refusal to buy the property) Many tenants end up getting something from the landlord for agreeing to sign. Free rent, etc. In DC as the tenant you have the upper hand.

[Anonymous]

At the end of your lease. You have a contract to be there. They can't kick you out. You can ask them to pay you to leave if they really want you out. Lease stands even with a sale.

[Anonymous]

Google TOPA rights DC

[Anonymous]

Get a lawyer immediately. You have ROFR over the sale. Waiving it could be serious $$$ for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Talk to a TOPA lawyer - you may be sitting pretty.

+1 i thought it was next to impossible for a DC landlord to sell when they had tenants (without the tenants signing away their rights/first refusal to buy the property) Many tenants end up getting something from the landlord for agreeing to sign. Free rent, etc. In DC as the tenant you have the upper hand.

sick you should be ashamed of yourself