3 minute read
When Tenants Don’t Leave: How to Sell Your Rental Property the Smart Way
Let’s talk about one of the trickiest moments in a landlord’s journey:
What happens when you decide to sell your rental...
But the tenants won’t leave?
Unfortunately, this situation is becoming more common — and it often leaves landlords feeling stuck, stressed, and unsure how to move forward without damaging relationships or risking legal trouble.
At VA, we recently helped one of our long-term landlords in exactly this situation.
Here’s what happened — and what to do if you’re in the same boat.
The problem: tenants staying put
The landlord had a 2-bed home in Luton, let out for years.
He’d decided it was time to sell — but the tenants had other plans. Despite a fair notice period, they weren’t moving. And understandably, he didn’t want to risk an ugly situation.
That’s when he asked us to step in — and we enacted our VA Landlord Rescue service.
We handled the Section 21, liaised with the tenants professionally, and kept the landlord completely in the loop — all while preparing the property for market.
The result? The tenants moved out with minimal fuss, the home was marketed straight away, and the landlord completed the sale — with zero drama.
The reality: these situations aren’t rare
The truth is, selling a rental isn’t always straightforward.
Sometimes tenants don’t want to leave — even if the notice is legal and fair.
And sometimes landlords don’t know where to turn, especially when emotions are running high or the property is still under management elsewhere.
That’s why we created VA Landlord Rescue.
It’s there for landlords who want to move forward — but feel stuck.
So if you’re thinking of selling…
Here’s what we’ll help you figure out:
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Should you sell with tenants in situ?
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Is it better to wait until vacant?
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Could we help you reposition the property to attract better buyers or higher value?
We don’t just throw it on Rightmove and hope for the best.
We sit down with you, look at the numbers, the market, and your goals — and give you real, honest advice.
Ready to explore your options?
We’re offering FREE property valuations this month to landlords considering a sale.
Whether it’s a smooth exit or a tricky tenancy, we’ll walk you through it all.
Or book a call with me, we'll discuss the Game Plan.
Venessa Afonja
Director, VA Sales & Lettings
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