- Find a Real Estate Professional
- Realtors®
- Mortgage Lenders
- Home Improvement Pros
- Other Real Estate Services
- Review an Agent, Lender or Pro
- Marketing on Zillow
- Real Estate Agent Advertising
- Join the Professional Directory
- Popular
- Real Estate Market Reports
- More
Replies (6)

- Darrell Self, "Darrell Self"
- Contributions:349
Just note this is not legal advice as I am not attorney and cannot practice law. A lease is a contract so you would need to see what the length of the lease is. In general the lease survives new ownership for the term of the lease unless a clause was put somewhere in the lease. You would be well served to have a real estate attorney review the lease is you do not understand the terms of it.

- wetdawgs
- Contributions:26816
As you are planning on becoming a landlord, you should find an attorney who can advise you in these matters.
In general, a lease survives a purchase under the current terms when you are planning to continue it as a rental. Make sure you get copies of all paperwork as well as all the deposits during the purchase transaction.
While I can't imagine many renters being happy about having to move out for a period of time so you can renovate after their lease(s) expire, you can certainly suggest it. (If I were your tenant, you'd not see me back again unless you compensated me handsomely for the inconvenience).
Please let us know what your attorney says.
In general, a lease survives a purchase under the current terms when you are planning to continue it as a rental. Make sure you get copies of all paperwork as well as all the deposits during the purchase transaction.
While I can't imagine many renters being happy about having to move out for a period of time so you can renovate after their lease(s) expire, you can certainly suggest it. (If I were your tenant, you'd not see me back again unless you compensated me handsomely for the inconvenience).
Please let us know what your attorney says.

- Nick Galiano, "cubman34"
- Contributions:190
The two above replies are incorrect in the state of Louisiana. I'd be more than happy to share my advice. [contact information deleted by Zillow moderator. Please review the Good Neighbor Policy for posting guidelines]

- Margaret Hickman, GRI/ABR/SRS, "kittenonkeys"
- Contributions:596
Our Louisiana Offer to Purchase or Sell addresses leases in lines 124 through 128. Basically it says the buyer has the right to review leases prior to purchase, and must approve them or can declare the contract null and void. If the leases for these tenants have expired and they are on month-to-month, you will need to discuss options for eviction with the City Attorney, as most likely it will be a court proceeding. I'm sure the tenants wouldn't want to move to another residence & then move back once renovations were done, but if you could limit the time of renovations, possibly they could rent something on a short-term basis. Communication is a wonderful thing, so I definitely would talk to them before just evicting them. How much are you going to raise the rent after renovations? That will impact their decision as well.

- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4695
I would either buy the property with the condition that it be delivered vacant OR I would buy it only after talking to the tenants about the repairs you think it needs. The tenants may agree to the repairs being done while they live there or make a fuss about it.
It comes down to a simple decision based on a simple question. Do you want the tenants already living there to stay or not? If not buy the property vacant. If yes work this out with the tenants before you become their landlord.
I am not a realtor. I only know if I was buying a property like this I would do one of these 2 things.
It comes down to a simple decision based on a simple question. Do you want the tenants already living there to stay or not? If not buy the property vacant. If yes work this out with the tenants before you become their landlord.
I am not a realtor. I only know if I was buying a property like this I would do one of these 2 things.

- Seth Captain, "CaptainSeth"
- Contributions:142
Wow! I totally empathize with you. I'm a buyer's agent here in Chicago that does a lot of work with multi-units and encounter this situation a lot. It happened in my own multi-unit, which I actually live in as well. I kept the tenants because I had enough units to offset their low rent.
For conscious minded people, of which I'd like to think I belong, and you clearly do, this is a conundrum, but there are options.
I tell my clients the first thing to do, immediately, is to talk with the tenant. I generally arrange this early on, way before closing, but once we know we have a secure contract as to not cause unnecessary hiccups.
Most tenants, I have found, in buildings that need rehab, and when they are aware their building is for sale, are already clued into the fact that they may see a rent increase or eviction. And many of them are uncomfortable for the same reason you are: THEY DON"T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
As we learn in relationships, of all kinds, communication is everything.
The reality of property is that they are all a business, and it's sometimes sad. You have the responsibility to be honest with the tenants as soon as possible. In addition, as a good person, you should make sure there are alternatives in their price range in an area they might consider living. Inform them of this, as many long term renters haven't searched for a place in years. In addition, if there are subsidized housing options, let them know as well.
Additionally, give the tenants a minimum of 60 days to move from the time you close, if not longer if you can afford it. And yes, it's always best to offer long term tenants the chance to move back after renovations. The logistics of this though are harder then you imagine, not to mention the increased rent you will most likely require for your new mortgage payment.
Honesty. Communication. It will work out.
And it's great to read about somebody who wants to be a responsible landlord.
For conscious minded people, of which I'd like to think I belong, and you clearly do, this is a conundrum, but there are options.
I tell my clients the first thing to do, immediately, is to talk with the tenant. I generally arrange this early on, way before closing, but once we know we have a secure contract as to not cause unnecessary hiccups.
Most tenants, I have found, in buildings that need rehab, and when they are aware their building is for sale, are already clued into the fact that they may see a rent increase or eviction. And many of them are uncomfortable for the same reason you are: THEY DON"T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
As we learn in relationships, of all kinds, communication is everything.
The reality of property is that they are all a business, and it's sometimes sad. You have the responsibility to be honest with the tenants as soon as possible. In addition, as a good person, you should make sure there are alternatives in their price range in an area they might consider living. Inform them of this, as many long term renters haven't searched for a place in years. In addition, if there are subsidized housing options, let them know as well.
Additionally, give the tenants a minimum of 60 days to move from the time you close, if not longer if you can afford it. And yes, it's always best to offer long term tenants the chance to move back after renovations. The logistics of this though are harder then you imagine, not to mention the increased rent you will most likely require for your new mortgage payment.
Honesty. Communication. It will work out.
And it's great to read about somebody who wants to be a responsible landlord.
Home Buyer's options when purchasing home with long-term tenants
Stating a discriminatory preference in an advertisement for housing is illegal. If you think this content is discriminatory or otherwise inappropriate and feel it should be removed from Zillow, please let us know by completing the information above.
We will review this content. Thanks for helping make the site more useful to everyone. To learn more, read Zillow's Good Neighbor Policy.