Our firm handles real estate transactions as well as landlord-tenant matters. At certain times, these two areas of the law may intersect. One situation which occurs frequently is when a multi-family house is sold by its owner, who may have one or more tenants living at the property. In such a situation, what are the legal responsibilities regarding the tenants? Most standard real estate sale contracts contain a clause requiring that the property be conveyed vacant and free of tenants. Unless there is a rider to the contract modifying this clause, this means that it is the seller’s responsibility to remove all tenants prior to closing. When our attorneys are confronted with such a situation, the first thing to do is to ask the proposed new owner’s attorney whether they wish to retain the tenants living at the premises. It is possible that the new owner would also like to rent the property, or a portion of same, and…
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