We just moved home(mansion) last March and everything seems OK. But last week I received a letter saying that some court marshalls will come at our home to investigate and to take picture of the house because someone filed the property to be auctioned.
I contacted the agent about this letter and just told me that just send the letter to them. And mentioned that it might just someone wants to buy the property and it is just an ordinary letter. So I just sent the letter to the agent.
After several days court marshalls (with id and such) came to the house and knocking on our unit. We have auto-lock system but they directly went to our unit (so the guard let them in). They told us that they came to investigate/check the property and took some pictures. We are forced to open the door because if we didn’t open the door they will forcefully open the unit and they keep shouting “saiban”. They also asked if we know the owner, we just mentioned that we are just renting the unit thru agent. So I just show the contract and took a photo of it.
So I called the agent again and he said that they are talking to the owner and the letter I sent is a serious matter. So they are working on it. So again I believe the agent and we thought that’s the end of it.
Last Friday and yesterday there several persons keep ringing the bell and shouting “saiban”, some of them are lawyers, and want to talk to the owner.
So I called the agent again today. And he said the owner wasn’t able to pay the house loan so the unit is subject to be auctioned. So I asked him what will happen now, he said that just live normally.
We can’t live normally since there are people keep ringing the doorbell. And I think the agent don’t know what he is saying.
Is there anyone experienced this? What should we do in this case. We just live here for two months now.
Any advise will be much appreciated.
6 comments
I don’t have great advice but I’d suggest consulting a lawyer as soon as possible.
The agent being calm about things might simply mean they trust in tenant protection laws that could bind any future buyer to honor your contract. Not sure if that’s the case. However the agent certainly doesn’t seem to take this situation seriously or worse might want to deflect from the fact that they didn’t do their due diligence.
What I’m fairly sure of you don’t have to take is the frequent appearance of folks shouting “saiban” at you. If they want to talk to the owner they should visit the owner. Their address should be on your contract. Them pestering you with frequent visits is not only pointless, I would argue it’s also a form of harassment. I would voice this to them calmly and ask for their identification / name cards and official address of the party they operate for so you can have your legal representation inquire about the issue of being harassed at / in the home you are legally renting and suffering unjustified damage to your image among your neighbours.
You might also get somewhere by talking to the management company about putting up a poster directed at these “visitors” to please call <insert number of your agent / the management company> in case they have inquiries about reaching particular owners, not tenants.
Not a lawyer, but just rented one of our properties out.
The way it was told to us when we asked how we would deal with selling the house in the future if there are tenants in it. We were told basically the new owner has to take over the rental contract.
If the new owner wants them out, it’s up to him and the tenants to sort it out. Assuming the tenants want to move out, they would be compensated for a month and also some $$ to help them move.
They still can’t force the tenant to move out. The rental protection here is very strong
” We can’t live normally since there are people keep ringing the doorbell. And I think the agent don’t know what he is saying. ”
Just play dumb and say you don’t know Japanese or something. Maybe next time they will try asking a different resident if they know the owner. You’re not the owner’s legal representative.
I think the most important to be clear who you’re paying rent to.
If it’s the management company, then you’re all good. If you’re paying directly to the landlord, your agent should sort it out.
Wow this is one of the shittier situations I’ve heard of recently. Sorry you’re going through it. On a brighter note as others have said you’re in no danger of being evicted just annoyed to death. Best case the new owners decide to keep you as tenants. Worst case the pay you a significant sum to leave. The only way I’m aware of they can actually force you out is if they’re going to live in the unit and even then since you have a lease it will take years and be much cheaper for them to just pay you off.
Now onto the problem with unknown people bugging the shit out of you.
1. You said you have security, a locked gate, and they’re getting in. Contact your rental agency. Tell them they need to instruct the security that they are not to let anyone inside and have anyone seeking entry contact the rental agency not bother the tenant.
2. Contact your local koban. Tell them you are having problems with people trespassing and bothering you. Let them know you will be contact them the next time one shows up.
3. Anyone who knocks on your door from that point forward has gained entry illegally unless they have a court order granting them access. Call the police any time someone knocks on your door. Don’t answer the door. They can’t force their way inside. Just call the cops. Once the cops are there press charges for trespassing. Be very very insistent.
4. Under no circumstances allow anyone without the police and a court order allowing it inside your home. They cannot force the locks or damage the door. This is your home and tenant protections here are incredibly strong.
IANAL, but everyone I know who has been forced to move because of their building being bought has been offered quite generous compensation for the inconvenience. Don’t accept anything less than paying you enough to make moving out a breeze.