Chestnut

Yes. It was not difficult at all. Two agents valued for me f.o.c. Obviously no agent needed for actual sale. Freehold property. It did however take several patient months for tenant (first time buyer) to raise agreed amount and sort out solicitor for conveyance. Selling to tenant saved me all hassle of having to ask tenant to leave, serve notice, cleaning/upgrading property etc. and both parties very happy with outcome.

I agree entirely with Richlist on this. 4 months landlord notice should surely be adequate time to resolve sale for me on way or other. Incidentally my buyer-tenant gets a discount in money value and kind - because they already know well the improvements they wish to action which add value. Ps. I had seen suggestion of tenant serving notice on another site somewhere. As I failed to understand it I joined this forum instead.

Thank you C-o-R. I think tenant's notice remains at 1 month, unlike landlord's current (Covid extended) 4 months notice, so probably no point in me requesting that yet. For the record this negotiation has been entirely amicable so far but a new experience for both parties.

Thank you Richlist - most helpful advice! I will do that and pass on to my solicitor as proof, along with vendor stuff solicitor requests from me.

Thanks Richlist - good points!. My reason for S21 is a 'shot in locker' if I run out of patience waiting for tenant to confirm ability to buy. I have no experience of carrying out 'usual checks' you mention. Should I use an estate agent for checks? With buyer in hand (and in house!) I didn't think I needed agent. I will however use solicitor for conveyance. Can my solicitor, when engaged, do checks and arrange deposit payment for me? It's many years since I last sold a house. Advice welcome!

Advice please for landlord hoping to sell to tenant? Tenant has occupied property for many years without issues, wishes to buy and I wish to sell - price agreed. EPC and gas certificate in place. Because I wish to sell property anyway, as backstop to failure of tenant to complete sale I propose shortly to serve section 21 (currently 4 months notice) using Form 6A, so that I can then sell on open market. Tenant has been advised and aware.

It seems water softener is fitted to protect property, not occupants. Therefore shouldn't running cost be LL's responsibility?

RichardH Have you checked the electric supply to the hob? A fuse or even a wiring loom for the igniter system should be quite cheap to replace. Also igniters can suffer from damp. I have had this trouble after cleaning the burners. Light and run each burner for a few minutes and the igniters may start to work again. Whether or not the hob is illegal should not be the issue. The risk is the effect of a delay in igniting the gas.

My latest certificate is from May 2009 and includes a hob with electronic igniters. There is nowhere in inspection details about recording performance of igniters. I cannot find any reference to igniters within Gas Safety (I and U) regs. I make a point of explaining and demonstrating all igniters to new tenants on arrival. That way I can spot a lazy one and advise tenant what to do (use a remote or match). In my case the oven wall switch needs to be on. If in doubt, as Selkirk says, get it fixed.