Can Your Landlord Sell the House You're Renting? (2024)

Disclaimer – The information on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and not to provide legal advice.

In Texas, a lease between a landlord and tenant survives a sale when the landlord sells the home to a new owner unless the lease explicitly states otherwise in writing. This means that if your landlord sells the house you're living in, the new owner is assuming the current lease. That means they have to abide by the lease's terms during the timeframe the lease covers – including the rent amount, and any terms or conditions of you living there. For example, if your lease says it allows pets, the new owner cannot change that allowance while the current lease is still in effect.

What happens when your current lease expires?

However, that doesn't mean that the new landlord can't change the terms of the lease once your current lease term is up. Let's say you signed a two-year lease to rent a home at $1,600 per month. The landlord allowed you to have two dogs within the lease when you signed. Six months into your lease a new investor buys the home, assumes the lease, and becomes your new landlord. For the rest of the two-year term, the new landlord cannot raise your rent, disallow your pets, or shorten your lease term without your permission unless your current lease allows them to.

That said, at the end of your current lease, the new owner could choose to raise the rent to $1,800 per month and disallow any pets. You would either need to be willing to abide by the new rental rates and lease conditions or find a new place to rent.

What if you're on a month to month agreement?

This also assumes that you are currently in a lease term and not currently residing in the property on a month to month agreement after an old lease expired. For example – let's say you were renting a home under a one-year lease for $1,600 per month and were allowed to have two dogs. Your year-long lease expired, and rather than signing a new one-year lease, you simply continued to live there via the month to month holdover your original lease allowed. In that case, the landlord would only need to follow the month to month terms. So, the new landlord could choose to demand you begin to pay $1,800 per month and get rid of your pets – or move out – with only one month notice (in Texas – each state has its own rules regarding how much notice you have to give a month to month tenant).

What happens to your rental deposits when the home you're renting is sold?

If you gave your current landlord a security deposit or funds to be applied to your last month's rent, those deposits are typically transferred to the new landlord during the sale from the current owner.

How much notice does my landlord have to give me before showings and inspections?

Many states have statutes that detail out how much notice a landlord is required to give a tenant to gain access to the property for showings to prospective tenants or buyers. Texas is not one of them. In Texas, only “reasonable notice” is required unless your lease contains an “access” clause stating otherwise. The term “reasonable” could be the cause of debate; in general, most people would consider it reasonable to allow any showings or access where the tenant is provided with 24 hours notice.

What happens if the house you're renting gets foreclosed on?

This is one of the few ways a home can change ownership in Texas without the lease surviving the sale even if the lease doesn't contain language that allows termination of the lease upon sale. Unfortunately, if the home you are renting is foreclosed on, you might be evicted once the home is sold at auction. The reason I use the word might is that many people who buy homes at auction are real estate investors and don't pursue an eviction on paying tenants. There's a decent chance they may choose to continue to rent you the home. However, the catch would be that it would be under a new lease that may have different terms than your current one.

If you're getting notices in the mail saying the home you're renting is going to be foreclosed on, you'll want to ensure the landlord is made aware of the notices immediately while they potentially still have time to avoid the foreclosure. If you're unable to reach your landlord, feel free to reach out to us by contacting us online or by phone. We have super sleuth powers when it comes to finding people, and might be able to purchase the home from your landlord before the foreclosure and potentially allow you to continue renting the house.

What if your new landlord is trying to change the terms of your lease before it expires?

If your new landlord attempts to alter or break your current lease and your lease does not state that it terminates upon the sale of the home in writing, you might want to contact a local real estate attorney to enforce your rights.

Can Your Landlord Sell the House You're Renting? (2024)

FAQs

Can Your Landlord Sell the House You're Renting? ›

In Texas, a lease between a landlord and tenant survives a sale when the landlord sells the home to a new owner unless the lease explicitly states otherwise in writing. This means that if your landlord sells the house you're living in, the new owner is assuming the current lease.

Can a landlord sell the house your renting in Texas? ›

You can sell your rental house to either the current tenants or another property buyer so long as you honor the lease agreement the current tenants are under. The laws of Houston, Texas do stipulate landlord selling tenants' rights in Texas that must honor them.

Why sell when you can rent? ›

Consider renting after selling if…

You need more time to find the perfect home. You want to test drive a neighborhood or city before committing to a purchase. You're OK with paying rent rather than building equity for a period of time. You want to avoid making an offer with a home sale contingency.

What are my legal rights as a tenant in Texas? ›

Your rights as a tenant include the right to "quiet enjoyment," a legal term. This means your landlord cannot evict you without cause or otherwise disturb your right to live in peace and quiet. If other tenants in your building are disturbing you, you should complain to the landlord.

How much notice does a landlord have to give when selling the property in Missouri? ›

Keep in mind, if you have a written lease and your landlord sells the property the new owner must honor the lease you signed with your former landlord. So, on the viewer's question when it comes to notice the answer is NO. In Missouri, you get at least 30 days written notice unless specifically stated in a lease.

What are my rights if my landlord sells the house in Texas? ›

In Texas, a lease between a landlord and tenant survives a sale when the landlord sells the home to a new owner unless the lease explicitly states otherwise in writing. This means that if your landlord sells the house you're living in, the new owner is assuming the current lease.

How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Texas? ›

Step 1: Written Notice to Vacate.

Unless the lease agreement says otherwise, the landlord must give the tenant at least 3 days to move out. They cannot file an eviction suit before they give this notice in writing.

When it makes sense to sell a rental property? ›

Time your sale: To avoid being hit with short-term capital gains tax, it's commonly advised to hold on to a rental property for at least one year. In some cases, you'll want to wait until a lease has expired or allow time to complete renovations.

Is it better to sell a paid off house or use it as a rental? ›

Selling your home might be the better option if you need the money to pay for your next home, have no interest in being a landlord or stand to make a large profit. Renting it out might be a better choice if your move is temporary, you want the rental income or you expect home values to go up in your area.

How does Truehold work? ›

Truehold calculates the sale of your home and your rent by using comparable rentals in your area and specific to your neighborhood, the square footage of your home, and amenities. You'll get market value for your home and pay market value for your rent.

What is the maximum rent increase allowed in Texas? ›

There is not a statewide law that places limits on how much a landlord can increase the rent when a lease is renewed. In fact, Texas law only allows cities to establish local rent control ordinances in certain cases.

What can a tenant sue a landlord for in Texas? ›

Go to court: Sue your landlord to make the repairs and for damages. A court can order your landlord to make repairs, reduce your rent from the date you asked for repairs, and award you damages caused by failure to repair, damages of one month's rent plus $500, court costs, and attorney's fees.

What is landlord harassment in Texas? ›

Lying or intimidating a tenant. Giving a “three-day notice” or other eviction notice that is based on false charges. Using fighting words or threatening bodily harm. Refusing to do repairs that are required by law.

What can I sue my landlord for in Missouri? ›

They are:
  • Rent-and-possession – the most-often-used remedy when tenants do not pay rent.
  • Unlawful detainer – eviction cases when tenants breach leases or stay after their leases expire or are terminated.
  • Expedited evictions – for illegal drugs, or threatened injury or property damage.

How long does a landlord have to give you to move out in Missouri? ›

A landlord can evict the tenant or raise rent with only one month's notice. Likewise, the tenant can give notice to vacate on one month's notice.

Can a landlord just enter property? ›

Can a landlord enter property without permission in Georgia? There is no Georgia law regarding landlords entering a rental property without permission. However, tenants have the right to enjoy their rental property.

What are your rights as a tenant without a lease in Texas? ›

No written lease

If there is no lease, a Texas landlord can evict a tenant without providing a reason. Simply give notice to vacate, and follow eviction proceedings if the tenant fails to leave. When there is a verbal agreement but no written lease, whatever terms specified verbally must still be honored.

How much notice does a landlord have to give if not renewing lease in Texas? ›

Renewals: A landlord in Texas may decide to not renew a lease for almost any reason. However, if the lease expires without a 30-day notice to terminate, the relationship will continue on a month-to-month basis.

How do I file a complaint against a landlord in Texas? ›

You can submit a complaint online, or you can call their office at (512) 463-2642 or toll-free (Texas only) at (888) 452-4778.

What is a month to month eviction in Texas? ›

A month-to-month tenancy is what it sounds like—a repeating month-long lease. Be aware that if you are in a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord or tenant must only give 30 days' notice before the lease ends. If the lease term is more than one year, it must be in writing, or it is unenforceable.

What is an illegal eviction in Texas? ›

When is an Eviction Illegal? There are circ*mstances where an eviction is simply illegal as a matter of law. A landlord cannot evict a tenant based on race, sex, national origin, disability or family status.

How long does it take to evict a tenant in Texas? ›

How long does it take to evict someone in Texas? From start to finish approximately four weeks • 3 days from notice to vacate to filing of suit • 8-10 days to serve the citation -The court date is set between 10-21 days. 5 days to appeal the suit following the hearing required by law.

What is the capital gains tax rate for 2023? ›

Long-term capital gains tax rates for the 2023 tax year

In 2023, individual filers won't pay any capital gains tax if their total taxable income is $44,625 or less. The rate jumps to 15 percent on capital gains, if their income is $44,626 to $492,300. Above that income level the rate climbs to 20 percent.

What is a good cap rate for rental property? ›

Market analysts say an ideal cap rate is between five and 10 percent; the exact number will depend on the property type and location. In comparison, a cap rate lower than five percent denotes lesser risk but a more extended period to recover an investment.

Does it make sense to buy rental property while renting? ›

If you have the cash on hand or access to a reasonable mortgage loan, buying an investment property can be a good idea even while you are renting. A rental investment property can help you start your investment portfolio and earn extra income while renting a less expensive property.

What is the 2% rule in real estate? ›

2% Rule. The 2% rule is the same as the 1% rule – it just uses a different number. The 2% rule states that the monthly rent for an investment property should be equal to or no less than 2% of the purchase price. Here's an example of the 2% rule for a home with the purchase price of $150,000: $150,000 x 0.02 = $3,000.

Is it good to have a paid off house? ›

One of the biggest benefits of paying off a mortgage is having more financial security over a long-term basis. Without the burden of a mortgage to pay every month, you may find yourself with extra breathing room in your budget.

Should I pay off my house before selling it? ›

In general, you must pay off any mortgage or loans secured on a home when you sell the property. You can list the property for sale and go through most of the process while still owing a balance, but you must pay the loan off as part of the closure of the sale.

Who owns Truehold? ›

Our founder and CEO, Brian Hardecker, was inspired to start Truehold when his grandfather, Poppy (pictured), faced this same decision.

How does Truehold make money? ›

How does Truehold make money? Our business model is simple: We buy homes, charge market rent, sell or rent them when you move out, and collect a small commission—just like traditional real estate investors.

What is a reverse home mortgage? ›

A reverse mortgage loan is not free money. It is a loan where borrowed money + interest + fees each month = rising loan balance. The homeowners or their heirs will eventually have to pay back the loan, usually by selling the home.

What's the most a landlord can raise rent? ›

Limits on Rent Increases

Landlords cannot raise rent annually more than 5% plus inflation according to the regional Consumer Price Index, for a maximum increase of 10% each year.

Will rent go down in 2023 Texas? ›

While there's no consensus on what rents will do exactly in 2023 — go up a little, go down a little, or stay flat, according to three forecasts — what's clear is they are expected to return to more normal growth patterns, instead of the unsustainable, record rates seen in 2021 and 2022.

What is the largest legal rent increase? ›

In 2023, the maximum most landlords can raise a tenant's rent without the approval of the Landlord and Tenant Board is 2.5% (rent control).

How much can you sue a landlord for in Texas? ›

Of course, justice court has limitations — for example, the most you can sue for is $20,000. So, if you think the landlord owes you more than $20,000 you should file in a different kind of court and consider getting an attorney if your claim is worth that much.

How often do landlords have to replace carpet in Texas? ›

IRS Publication 527 states that carpet in a residential rental property wears out after 5 years, at least for tax purposes, based on the general depreciation system.

Can you withhold rent for mold in Texas? ›

Rent withholding: The tenant stops paying rent and claims the mold makes the dwelling unlivable. Landlords in Texas must abide by the "implied warranty of habitability." This legal doctrine requires the landlord to provide a property in a livable condition.

Can I sue my landlord for emotional distress in Texas? ›

In short - yes. Every resident of the United States has the right to file a civil lawsuit against another they believe caused them harm. Still, the right to file a suit does not mean the court will agree and award damages.

What is the property code 92.331 in Texas? ›

According to Texas Property Code 92.331, a landlord may not retaliate against you for any of the following actions: Doing anything that is allowed by your lease or by law. Asking that your landlord repair or fix something. Filing a complaint with a government agency.

How do I sue my landlord for unsafe living conditions in Texas? ›

First, notify your landlord or property manager about the issues and request action to be taken. This can be done in writing, preferably through certified mail for proof of notice. Once the landlord or property manager is notified, they should follow up with you and give you a timeline of what to expect.

What is a 10 day eviction notice in Missouri? ›

A Missouri 10-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Compliance) is a legal memo sent to a tenant who is in breach of contract for any reason other than the non-payment of rent. When a tenant violates a provision in the lease, the owner or whoever holds the lease can give 10 days' notice to vacate the premises.

How much notice does a landlord have to give to raise rent in Missouri? ›

Raising Rent – Landlords in Missouri may increase the rent to any amount with no notice or justification. Notice of Entry – Missouri does not require any notice before entering the unit or property.

Is Missouri a landlord friendly state? ›

Missouri is considered a landlord-friendly state because there are few rent control laws and very few habitability requirements.

What is the quiet enjoyment in Missouri? ›

The covenant of quiet enjoyment provides a tenant with the right to use the leased premises for his or her intended purposes without disturbance from the landlord or a party acting on the landlord's behalf.

Can a landlord walk around the property without notice? ›

The landlord must give you 24-hour advance written notice before entering. The notice should state a specific time of entry, which must be during normal business hours.

Can I break my apartment lease if I buy a house in Texas? ›

If your lease includes a home buying clause, it means you can terminate your lease early if you've purchased a new home as long as you give your landlord or property manager proper notice.

Can a landlord change a lease in Texas? ›

Unless an agreement is reached, the parties must abide by every term in the lease agreement (including any house rules). However, at the end of the lease term, the landlord or the tenant can propose any changes to the lease agreement, such as a change in the rent amount.

Can someone live in my apartment without being on the lease in Texas? ›

Yes, someone can live with the tenant without being on the lease. However, it is important to distinguish the difference between a guest and a long-term guest.

How long does a broken lease stay on your rental history in Texas? ›

A broken lease will not appear on your credit report, but unpaid rent could be sent to collections, and a collection account can stay on your report for up to 7 years.

How much does it cost to break a rental lease in Texas? ›

1) You must provide written notice of your intent to terminate early, including a move- out date. 2) Your written termination notice must include payment of the reletting fee listed in paragraph 28 of your lease agreement. The reletting fee is typically 150% of one month's rent.

How much can landlord raise rent in Texas? ›

There is not a statewide law that places limits on how much a landlord can increase the rent when a lease is renewed. In fact, Texas law only allows cities to establish local rent control ordinances in certain cases.

Can a landlord refuse to renew a lease in Texas? ›

Renewals: A landlord in Texas may decide to not renew a lease for almost any reason. However, if the lease expires without a 30-day notice to terminate, the relationship will continue on a month-to-month basis.

Does a new owner have to honor a lease in Texas? ›

If the landlord sells, dies, or transfers the property, the new owner is obligated to honor your lease and any other agreement you made with the original owner or management. This is another reason to always have important agreements in writing, signed and dated.

Where can I file a complaint against my landlord in Texas? ›

The Texas Workforce Commission ("TWC") is the entity responsible for enforcing the Fair Housing Act in the State of Texas. You have one year after an alleged violation to file a complaint, but you should file it as soon as possible. The following information will be requested: Your name and address.

What is the fastest way to evict a tenant in Texas? ›

The only legal way to remove a tenant from a rental unit in Texas is for a landlord to win an eviction lawsuit (forcible entry and detainer suit) in court. Even after winning the lawsuit, it is illegal for a landlord to take self-help measures to remove the tenant.

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