How much time does an owner have to notify the occupying tenants that he/she is the new owner?

Question

The old owner sold without completing the repairs they said they would fix. They left mold, uncompleted electical plugs, rodents, and no heat.

When we asked about installing a heater their response was put aother blanket on, use portable heaters (circa 1949 wiring) or leave the stove on with the door cracked open.

They raised my rent $200 in thirty days and did not fix anything and on one occassion the property manager sexually propsitioned me by grabbing my elbow pulling me to him and said in a low tone, Maybe we can work something out for the rent?"

Answer 1

Best thing to do is send the LL a RRR letter giving them 30 days notice that you are moving since the place in uninhabitable and then do so. You will never have resolution if you stay there.

IF and only IF you have photographic proof of your allegations. Skip the sexual harrassment thing it is a he said she said thing.

Answer 2

First off, did anyone write down what repairs the last owner said they would fix? If so, then the new owners will have to complete the repairs and then go after the old owners.

Second, do you have a lease? If so, then don't worry about the landlord changing anything on you without notifying you, as your lease supercedes the sale.

Next, if there truly is no heat (not just that the heat does not work as well as you'd like) then you should give notice to the new owners that the property is uninhabitable at this time, and unless they fix the heat, you will be moving out in 7 days. Make sure you have another place to go first.

If it does end up that you move out, have a furnace inspector come to the house before you do and give you an estimate (usually they're free) on what it would cost to repair the furnace. Also have them write down on the estimate how well/poorly the furnace works currently. You may need that if the landlord tries to get money from you after you've moved out.

Just for grins, if it does go as far as you moving out due to no heat, send a letter to your city's health department giving them notice that the home is unfit for human habitation due to no heat. CC the landlord so they know what's coming to them.

Answer 3

In NY the seller's attorney sends a letter by regular post at the conclusion of the property closing. In other words the tenants would expect to be notified several days after the deed was done.
In our case, we closed on a Thursday, On Saturday "the neighbors from hell" called the "now former landlord" about fixing more stuff they destroyed, and he said that they might want to take it up with their new Landlords who lived across the driveway from them!
Some background,time a couple of years earlier: About 2 weeks before their wedding they sent their otherwise obnoxious 4 year old with a note asking to borrow $600 to help pay for their wedding, Didn't actually have $600 lying around the mansion but we did return the 2 gift cards bought as wedding presents and scraped together as much loose cash as possible on short notice, and GAVE them $300 . 2 weeks after the wedding the wife when she didn't think anyone was watching, stole a newly delivered Father's Day present off our fenced in patio.
Then the criminal mastermind very cleverly hid the very obvious packaging including the shipping reciept with our name on it behind their '84 Camaro on blocks in the front yard.
We did not have her arrested for this federal crime.
Needless to stay relations remained at best - strained.
There was other stuff, but this was enough.
But not to worry! These folks had a solution! they had told their family that it was their intention to buy the property and throw us out! (Making sure we overheard)
Imagine the Schadenfreude we felt at that moment when they came to find out just what the new relationship would entail, they left in a month!!. Boy ! I just love telling that story!

Answer 4

ALL the issues should have been addressed and tended to prior to closing/settlement/escrow OR AT closing/settlement/escrow by withholding funds from the Seller.

Was the property closed/settled/escrowed on a handshake?

What about an inspection by the local municipality for codes violations?
Fixing the items wrong and re-inspection, THEN issuing a Use and Occupancy ["U&O"] certificate OR a certificate of occupancy ["the C.O."]?

1st thing Monday morning:
1] Call the local municipality where you are living and ask to speak with someone in the Codes Office or Licensing and Inspections office. Find out what happened or didn't happen to leave you in this situation.

2] RUN - don't walk - to a real estate lawyer.
He/She might be of help to you in your predicamentS.

As far as sexual harassment is concerned/involved, ask your real estate attorney to recommend a law firm or an attorney familiar with sexual harassment.

MY OWN OPINION: The kind of people you are describing, did and may continue to do business with, should be locked up AND fined until it goes past hurting!

Thanks for asking your Q! I did my best to help.

VTY,
Ron Berue
Yes, that is my real last name!

Answer 5

You seem to have three issues here: first, that the old owners weren't very good landlords.

Oh, well. They're gone.

Second, that there are new owners and they haven't contacted you yet.

The new owners will be in touch.

Third, it appears that the place needs repairs. When the new owners are in touch (and they will be - they'll want their rent sent to the right address) let them know what's needed.

Answer 6

i'm guessing 24 hours