Now What? My Landlord Plans to Sell the Building
NOTE: This article does not apply to buildings sold in foreclosure or to government-assisted housing. Examples not included are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, HUD project-based housing, or public housing. These situations have different rules.
Does my landlord need to tell me that they will sell the building?
No. Landlords don’t need to let tenants know that they want to or plan to sell the building.
I don’t want the landlord to come in to show my apartment to prospective buyers. Can I refuse?
A landlord is allowed to show the apartment to prospective buyers as long as they give proper notice. In Chicago, landlords must notify the tenant 2 days before showing the unit. Section 5-12-050 of the Chicago RLTO. If they don’t give proper notice, then the tenant can refuse entry.
Can my landlord end my lease because they plan to sell the building?
Landlords can’t cancel a lease that’s in place for a set amount of time, because they want to sell the house/apartment building. They can choose to not renew the lease and give a proper notice of nonrenewal of the lease closer to the end of the lease. They can also try to negotiate a move-out agreement with the tenant.
See below for more articles about a tenant’s rights and options in the following circumstances:
- I want to stay when the landlord plans to sell or has sold the building: click here.
- I want to leave when the landlord plans to sell or has sold the building: click here.
- The landlord passed away.
- The building was sold through a tax sale.
- The building was sold after foreclosure.
- The landlord is renovating the building.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.