As a tenant, what can I tell prospective buyers?

Question

I have a question for those 'in the know' here.

Our landlords have been pretty deceitful about the house. They lured me in with promises to update and fix things but never did so. Not a big deal for me though since we all knew I'd be here less than a year.

Anyhow, they've put the house on the market and we've given our notice. Fortunately they handwrote on our contract we only need to show the house during certain hours. They've been trying to break that but obviously cannot. So needless to say, they are quite unhappy with us. According to our legal counsel, we're in the right and they are very, very wrong.

So my question is, during the hours in which prospective buyers come in, I get asked questions. How truthful can I be with the answers? The sellers have some major repairs needed on the house i.e. major dryrot, electrical, plumbing, phone, etc...problems and are not disclosing any of it. It's a major fixer upper but they are selling it as a 'normal' house.

Any advice?

No, there is no non-disclosure clause.

I know we've sold two houses and were painfully honest with the prospective buyers even pointing out something the home inspector missed. We just would hope that people would be honest with us when we bought.

The repairs are not run-of-mill repairs. If you lean anything of weight (i.e. ladder) on the side of the house, it'll make indentations in the dryrot. They, however, recently painted the house so the dryrot is not as noticeable now. Add to that the faulty wiring (lights always burn out and go on and off by themselves) and this house is a major fire hazard. We've been told by plumbers that the outside lines are clogged with roots and we have a problem with overflowing toilets. The hot water heater is bad and you can only get about a quarter tub of water before the water runs cool. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

I feel for whomever buys this house. I hope they are smart enough to hire an inspector.

Answer 1

I WOULD TELL THEM THE TRUTH. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE AND I WISH THE TENANT WOULD HAVE TOLD US ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS. THE REALTOR WAS AN OLD FRIEND WE HAD NOT SEEN IN YEARS. WE ENDED UP LOSING A LOT OF MONEY BECAUSE WE TRUSTED HER. SO TELL THE TRUTH.

Answer 2

Actually, you're legally bound to tell them if they have major things to fix. If they discover that when they move in, the previous owner could be in a fix (which might be ok with you by the sounds of it-lol). But really, be honest, tell them what they need to know. I'm sure part of your problem was the actual dealings with the landlord and if someone else is buying it than they won't have to deal with the idiot anymore. Most people with half a brain expect at least some 'fixer uppers' when looking for a house. The only question would be having your present landlord be jerk in response to you telling the truth. Legally you can say what you want, unless you signed some sort of non disclosure clause?

Answer 3

You have no legal obligation to tell, or not tell them anything. You are not an interested party to the sale. There is nothing that you have indicated that would keep you from saying anything about the property, as long as it is honest. Don't place yourself in a bad position by saying things that cannot be corraborated. You can tell them you "opinion of the landlord" and "the way it made you feel" but you can't say things that you know are not true.

Have at it. Revenge is so sweet.

Answer 4

I say be as truthful as you want to be. It's being responsible and might prevent people from getting into a situation they are not ready for (ie making major repairs on the house.) My husband and I recently bought our first house, and I'd hope the tenants we spoke with at prospective houses were being truthful with us. I don't see how you have any obligation to the landlord to keep their secrets.

Answer 5

If the owner is putting the responsibility of showing the house on you, you should disclose any problems you know of to protect yourself from liability. When the house sells and the problems are discovered, the former owner is not going to tell the new owners that he told you not to tell them about it, he's going to say he never heard of any problems! Don't say anything that can't be backed up with evidence, and you are protected from anything the owner may try to do against you (legally, anyway).

Answer 6

I say be honest about because for one they were wrong to you about lying and you know how it feels and for two if you were buying a house and someone did that to you you would feel cheated. So just be honest but if you feel like you don't want to ruin there chances then just try and stay out of it like when they come to see the house and ask question just tell them all question are to be ask to the owner so that way you don't feel bad and you have nothing to do with what landlord say or do. Good luck

Answer 7

unless its in the contract that you cant talk to them, tell them the truth. I would want to know if I was paying 100's of thousands for a house, and honesty is always the right thing to do charmaticly

Answer 8

I'd keep your trap shut. You have no obligation to the prospective buyers OR the landlord to answer any questions. You do, however, open yourself up to big problems if you say something that turns out to be incorrect. Save yourself the trouble and answer "I Dont Know"

Answer 9

Be honest, put yourself in their shoes.
You would want to know you're buying a piece of crap.
Its the right thing to do, just dont do it out of spite.

Answer 10

Tell the truth, but don't make it a bigger problem than it really is.