Do you need to sell your house with tenants in Utah? If so, you may be curious as to what the process entails and how it will affect you and your tenants. In this blog post, we will cover the steps involved in selling a house with tenants, as well as the expectations both you and your tenants should have.
Additionally, you will learn about some things you need to consider when selling your property with tenants in order to comply with the law. If you are considering selling a house with tenants in Utah, keep reading!
The Pros of Selling a House with Tenants
There are a couple of upsides to selling a house with tenants.
- A Good Offer: Buying a house with tenants already in place saves the buyer time, money, and effort if they’re planning on renting it.
- A Higher Sales Price: A rental income stream can also contribute to an increase in a house’s value.
- An Alternative to the Eviction Process: You can avoid the hassle and inconvenience of eviction by selling the house with tenants.
The Cons of Selling a House with Tenants
Selling a property with tenants can also pose a few drawbacks.
- A Longer Process: While some buyers may find buying a house with tenants in place appealing, others may become discouraged, making the sales process more challenging.
- A Costly Hassle: You’ll need to accommodate tenants’ schedules if the house needs repairs or maintenance.
Check If You Can Sell a House with Tenants
When you need to sell a house with tenants in Utah, you should first check your lease agreement to make sure you comply with tenant rights. Unless you have a valid reason, you should not evict your tenant before the lease or rental agreement is over.
Utah’s Eviction Laws
The first step in evicting someone is terminating their lease or rental agreement. A landlord can only do this if they have a legal reason for doing so. A legal cause in Utah is defined as unpaid rent, a lease violation, or criminal activity. The landlord must give the tenant notice if he wants to terminate a tenancy for any of these reasons. Different reasons for eviction result in different eviction notices.
Nonpayment of Rent
In Utah, landlords have the right to evict tenants who fail to pay rent. A day after rent is due, it is considered late. Depending on the lease/rental agreement, a grace period may be available.
An official written 3-day Notice to Pay must be given to the tenant before eviction can begin. In order to avoid eviction, the tenant must pay rent. When a tenant fails to pay the rent due and remains on the property after three days, the landlord may evict them.
Lease/Rental Agreement Violation
During the duration of the lease, both tenant and landlord must uphold the rental agreement. In the event that a tenant violates the lease, the landlord must give the tenant a 3-Day Notice to Comply. A notice of non-compliance offers the tenant the chance to resolve the lease violation.
Violations may include:
- Subleasing the rental unit
- Damage to the rental unit
- Smoking in non-smoking areas
- Keeping pets in a pet-free property.
By the end of the three days, if the violation still exists, the landlord may proceed with the eviction.
Illegal Activity
According to Utah law, landlords must provide a 3-Day Notice to Quit if a tenant engages in illegal behavior on the property. The eviction is based on three reasons: illegal activity, nuisance, and criminal activity.
Examples of illegal activities include:
- Running an illegal business
- Theft, violence, assault
- Committing a crime on the rental premises
Nuisances include, but are not limited to:
- Prostitution
- Illegal firearm possession and/or firing
- Creating, distributing, or consuming controlled substances
Criminal activity includes, but is not limited to:
- Committing a felony
- Engaging in criminal gang activity
- Damaging other tenants’ or landlord’s property
- Threatening to harm other tenants or landlords
Destruction of Property
Utah law defines waste as the destruction of property that causes harm to others. When this happens, tenants are prohibited from renewing their leases. It is the landlord’s responsibility to issue a 3-Day Notice to Quit, stating that the tenants must vacate the premises before the notice expires. If the tenant remains on the rental property after three days, the landlord may file for eviction.
Is Eviction The Solution?
Evictions are a legal alternative when necessary, but they can also be messy. Before you list the property, it’s a good idea to give your tenants notice. By doing this, they will be able to find alternative accommodations and prevent conflict in the future.
Furthermore, as a landlord, it’s also recommended to review Utah’s landlord-tenant laws in order to understand your rights and obligations.
How to Sell a House with Tenants
There are three ways to sell a house with tenants: you can list yourself, hire an agent, or sell to a home buyer.
List Yourself
The first option is to list the property yourself. This option may be convenient for you if you are familiar with marketing, negotiating, and closing a home sale. As an added benefit, you will be able to save money by avoiding real estate commissions and fees. Your property can be advertised online, through flyers, or with a For Sale sign.
Hire an Agent
The second option is to hire a real estate agent. In case you are short on time or don’t have much experience negotiating home sales, this may be a good option for you. However, at the conclusion of the sale, the agent’s closing fee, usually 6%, is charged.
Sell to a Home Buyer
A third option is to sell your house to a home buyer. If you want to sell your house quickly and don’t want to spend more money on it, this method is ideal. All closing costs will be covered by the buyer, so you won’t have to spend more money to sell the home.
How to Prepare the House for Sale
Once you’re ready to sell your house, there are two things you need to take care of:
Talk to Your Tenant
Let your tenants know you’re selling the property and that they don’t have to move out. Also, keeping them informed about showings and open houses is a good idea.
Make The House Appealing
This entails taking care of any repairs or upgrades that need to be made. First impressions are very key for potential buyers. Keeping all utility payments current is also important.
Sell My House With Tenants Fast in Utah
It can be difficult to sell a house with tenants around, especially if the landlord-tenant relationship is strained. When you work with Favor Home Solutions, you get a fair cash offer without spending a dime or dealing with your tenants. Our team is prepared to buy your house as-is, so you can put cash in your pocket and move on with your life. No hidden fees or commissions! Get started now!
