Can a landlord evict you because he wants to sell?
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Can a landlord evict you because he wants to sell?
My landlord wants to sell house because he is going through problems. We are in a lease but he has now instructed me not to pay rent for this month because I have last month
paid up front. However I told him I will not be out by the end of the month.
Asked on July 27, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
He can't evict you while the lease is in force; rather, if he sells before the lease expires, the buyer purchases the property subject to the lease (i.e. he "buys" a tenant with the property) and must honor the lease until it's expiration. The seller can only sell what he has; and what he has is property in which someone else (you) have the right to live there (as long as you pay rent, don't violate the lease, etc.) until the end of the lease.
However, neither the existing owner nor any buyer would be obligated to renew the lease and could evict you when it expires. They could also offer you an incentive to get you to agree to leave early, such "key money" to vacate the premises. If you and they come to an agreement like that, be sure to get it in writing.
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