Sell a Rental With Problem Tenants
Rent has stopped arriving, the tenant will not allow access, or the tenancy has simply become more trouble than the property is worth. Selling a tenant-occupied property on the open market is difficult, because most buyers want vacant possession and financed buyers often cannot get inside to satisfy an appraisal. We buy occupied properties and take the tenancy on as it stands.
Why sellers in this situation contact us
You do not have to evict first
The tenancy transfers with the property; you are not required to resolve it before selling to us
No coordinated showings
No negotiating access with a tenant who does not want buyers walking through
Arrears do not stop us
Unpaid rent is a factor in the number, not a reason to walk away
We take the property as-is
Including damage, deferred maintenance and whatever state the unit is in
You stop managing it
The calls, the repairs and the paperwork end at closing
The problems this situation creates
Buyers want vacant possession
Most owner-occupier buyers will not take on an existing tenancy, which removes the largest part of your buyer pool immediately.
Access for appraisal and inspection
A financed sale needs an appraiser inside. A tenant who refuses entry can stall a listed sale indefinitely.
California tenant protections are strict
State and local rules on notice, just cause and relocation assistance are detailed and vary by city. Getting them wrong is expensive, which is a strong argument for not attempting a self-managed eviction to prepare a sale.
Carrying a non-paying tenancy
The mortgage, taxes and insurance continue while the rent does not, and the shortfall accumulates monthly.
Condition is unknown
If you have not been inside recently, neither has anyone else. That uncertainty is difficult to price on the open market but is simply part of our assessment.
Legal costs mount
An unlawful detainer takes time and money, and the outcome is not guaranteed on your preferred schedule.
When selling to us is not the right move
If the tenancy is straightforward and the tenant pays reliably, the property may be worth more to an investor buyer on the open market than it is to us — a stable tenant is an asset, and it should be marketed as one. This page is about the situations where the tenancy has become the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to evict the tenant before selling to you?
No — that is the main reason landlords in this position contact us. We buy with the tenancy in place and deal with the situation ourselves after closing.
What happens to the tenant after you buy?
We take on the property subject to the existing tenancy and handle it in accordance with the applicable rules. Depending on the circumstances that can mean the tenancy continuing, or a negotiated agreement to vacate.
Can you buy if I have not been inside for a long time?
Yes. We will want one walkthrough where practical, and we can make an offer with allowances for uncertainty where access is genuinely not possible.
The tenant owes several months of rent. Can I recover it?
Whether unpaid rent remains collectable after a sale, and how, depends on your lease and the circumstances — a landlord-tenant attorney can tell you where you stand. It is a separate question from the sale price we offer.
What about the security deposit?
Deposits are typically transferred or credited at closing and handled through escrow. Escrow will confirm the mechanics for your transaction.
This page explains how selling a property for cash works. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and it is not a substitute for advice about your own situation.
Where we buy:
About My California Home Solution
- My California Home Solution is a real estate investment company that buys houses directly for cash and sells off-market investment properties to investors.
- Service area: San Diego County and Riverside County, California.
- Office address: 1132 San Marino Dr #100, San Marcos, CA 92078.
- Calls are answered by a person Monday through Saturday, 7am to 5pm Pacific, and the office is closed Sunday. Online offer requests are accepted at any hour and receive an immediate automated confirmation.
- Typical closing window: 7 to 14 days, with the seller choosing the closing date.
- Sellers pay no agent commission and no closing costs, and no repairs are required.
- Contact: (760) 477-4552 or deals@mycahomesolution.com.
- My California Home Solution is a member of the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce. Membership is an affiliation, not an accreditation, rating or endorsement.
- My California Home Solution is a property-buying company, not a brokerage — when we make an offer we are the buyer, not your agent. Richard Farmer is a licensed California real estate broker (DRE #01229897) affiliated with Ktesius Realty Corporation (DRE #01842107), so brokerage services are available separately if listing suits you better.