Homeseller forbids current tenants from answering questions about the property to prospective buyers, despite knowing the house is not up to code: ‘You are not permitted to interfere’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Mar 10, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

Homesellers would do anything to sell their properties, even if it means hiding information from potential buyers. The question is, do others have a responsibility to disclose the actual truth to these buyers, to keep them from making a mistake?

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  • The tenants in the story below are currently struggling to answer this question. As their landlord prepares to sell the house they currently live in, they find themselves participating in the house showings and facing questions from prospective buyers.

    The house, as it turns out, is quite old and has a few issues that the landlord refused to fix over the years. So, when the tenants were asked about these visible problems in the house, they answered truthfully, which immediately showed the true colors of the property, something the landlord was trying to hide.

    Anyone who discovers that a house is not up to code would probably pull out of buying it, and that is exactly what the buyers did after their honest conversation with the tenants. And when the landlord learned all about it, she was not pleased, to say the least…

  • Landlord selling home is threatening us with legal action for truthfully answering direct questions from property inspector and prospective buyers

    We live in SLC, Utah and have had constant issues since moving in from gas leaks to a sewage flood to the hot water heater breaking.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • Real Estate Agent and Customers in House
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Real Estate Agent and Customers in House

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Because our landlord was always planning to sell two months into our lease, she has always gotten second opinions for the cheapest and most temporary options to fix things, leaving us to deal with the repercussions down the line.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • The house finally went under contract and I was asked directly by the inspector and buyer why our belongings were in plastic tubs in the dining room, to which I responded that we initially put them there during the sewage flood and we were advised to keep them there by two separate plumbers who came out a week later when we had no hot water and told us the hot water heater needed to immediately be replaced or it could flood the entire basement.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • At no point did I exaggerate or make a single untrue statement. The prospective buyer apparently pulled out of the contract and we received this email from our landlord today, threatening legal action: "This letter is formal notice regarding your conduct during buyer showings.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • You are permitted to be present for showings and inspections. You are not permitted to interfere with them.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • During the most recent showing, you made statements to prospective buyers about the condition of the home and repairs that were inaccurate and misleading.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • We have been informed those statements contributed to the buyer canceling their purchase contract, causing measurable financial harm.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • Effective immediately, you are directed to do the following during all showings: 1. Allow access at scheduled showing times as required under the lease with 24hrs notice.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • 2. Do not engage with prospective buyers. 3. Do not make statements about the home's condition, repairs, pricing, prior issues, or the sale.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • 4. Direct any questions or concerns to the listing agent only. We will be documenting all future incidents.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • If there is any further interference, we will pursue available legal remedies, including claims for damages arising from interference with the sale process and any resulting financial loss.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • We prefer not to involve counsel, but we will do so without further warning if this continues.
    via CompleteAd2891

  • The tenants now face a moral and personal dilemma. Should they keep out of trouble and hide the truth of the property from potential buyers, or should they ignore their landlord's empty threats and ensure any buyer knows exactly what they are getting themselves into?

  • Separately, you have repeatedly communicated that you are unhappy in the property and have raised health- related concerns.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • As a result, we are offering one option to end this cleanly: Option: Mutual early termination.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • If you want to vacate early, confirm in writing by 03/11/2026 that you will sign a mutual termination agreement and provide a move-out date no later than 04/30/2026.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • Any security deposit will be handled strictly in accordance with the lease and Utah law after move-out and inspection.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • If you do not accept the early termination option, you will remain bound by the lease and the expectations above will be enforced for all showings going forward.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • Landlord tenant law book on the lawyer desk.
    via designer491

    Landlord tenant law book on the lawyer desk.

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Please reply in writing confirming (a) you will comply with the showing rules above and (b) the early termination option." The home is old but dangerously not up to code in several places so we have requested a city code inspection and have filed a landlord complaint about her to the city but this is such a living nightmare.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • Does anyone know if we have any recourse?
    via CompleteAd2891

  • The funniest course of action suggested to these tenants was to simply

    “Tape the LL letter to the fridge and in VERY BIG LETTERS write REMEMBER NOT TO TALK TO BUYERS.”

    Hilarious, isn't it? Or should we say… a genius idea? Keep scrolling to read what others had to say about this entitled landlord, and whether or not the tenants should adhere to her demands.

  • Exotic-Sale-3003 >The home is old but dangerously not up to code in several places so we have requested a city code inspection Most homes are not up to code, because code continuously evolves, and code changes rarely require existing stock be brought into compliance. Given that you have an acrimonious relationship with your LL and are unsatisfied with the residence, I'm curious why you're not jumping at the chance for early termination.
    via Exotic-Sale-3003
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply By not up to code, I mean things like daisy chaining multiple ungrounded extension cords to a grounding adapter in the basement to power the water heater and broken outlets that spark. We aren't concerned about the little things. We just moved in here a couple of months ago and it was an expensive and exhausting move. We barely were settling in when she told us she was selling, which was fine, the issue is she will not adequately repair anything, hoping to
    via CompleteAd2891
  • IndependentMemory215 I'd call your local inspector to be honest for that. It's extremely dangerous. Usually your city, county website will have contact details (depending on the trade and your state). Likely under the permits office. You have the landlord time to correct the issue and they chose not to do so. Entirely on them.
    via IndependentMemory215
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply We actually just reached out to them last week and they are sending someone out, plus they had us file a consumer report against the landlord for not maintaining the home properly. Hopefully it helps somehow.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • CompleteAd2891 I'm more than happy to not engage with the inspector/buyers and did not intend to cause harm by answering a direct question honestly with an answer I thought they were already well aware of. I truly was not attempting to interfere and will happily redirect future questions. What is unfortunately our business is having to live in dangerous and deficient conditions with no plans for repairs so we can pay her mortgage in the meantime as pawns in her financial game.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • CompleteAd2891 I truly was not intending to take any action or get in the way. We would love for the property to be sold to a better landlord. I work from home and was asked a question and gave them an honest answer that included information I thought had been previously disclosed to them.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • jfrenaye You've only been there a few months and all of that has happened? I get moving is a hassle but get out. Also, the house is going to be sold soon (assumption) ands you are going to be out. Depending on the rental market in your area, I'd either take the shut-up clause and start looking now, or take the early out. His threats are just that.
    via jfrenaye
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply Our lease does not include a sales clause so we have been told it will extend until the end of November as planned regardless of the sale, but most interested parties are wanting to live here as their primary residence, and most mortgages require you to move in within 60 days. We were told they could have the new owners essentially pretend to live here by sending their mail here, etc. until our lease term runs out.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • djsuperfly Probably not. They can't force OP not to talk. But, OP could potentially set themselves up to be sued. OP likely doesn't know what has to be disclosed or not. I'd be keeping my mouth shut.
    via djsuperfly
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply I wasn't even trying to answer questions in a negative way. They asked me a direct question and I did not think my reply included information they did not already have.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • 867530nyeeine Ugh I'd just move out.
    via 867530nyeeine
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply I would love to but we spent thousands moving here just a few months ago so without any compensation on their end it will be very hard.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • Murky_Regular_1897 Leave a "to-do" list very visibly out that states all the bs that needs attention. But also just move out when appropriate and let the buyer and seller handle anything. You are not required or responsible to give an interview to the buyers. Move out already if it that bad. Let their respective agents handle this. A proper home inspection would figure these out. Seems a bit spiteful maybe on your end because you're talking sh about the landlord, and I get it, but also kind of n
    via Murky_Regular_1897
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply I didn't talk badly about the landlord or give any kind of excessive information... I was asked why our storage was all in the dinning room currently and answered with information I assumed they already had: the basement had a sewage flood and the water heater is needing to be replaced. Trust me, I'd take any new landlord over this constant chaos of showings and pushing off very needed repairs. I have zero desire to interfere with absolutely anything.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • ol_kentucky_shark I still don't understand why you're not jumping at early termination if you've barely gotten settled in, are dealing with all these issues, and are being threatened for revealing them to prospective buyers (which makes it more likely they're going to end up selling to someone who will not fix those issues either). Seems the best thing would be to cut your losses and move.
    via ol_kentucky_shark
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply I have severe medical challenges that involve constant treatments and infusions at the hospital near this house it's why we moved here in the first place. We can't afford to move again so soon after having to meet my high medical deductible over the past two months, especially since it sounds as though they will do whatever they can to not return our security deposit.
    via CompleteAd2891
  • Ask10101 This is not your business and yes the actions you're taking could open you up to legal or financial risk. Do not engage with the buyers, you directly benefit or perceive to benefit from a delay in sale of the home. That letter should be taken seriously, they are laying the groundwork for a tortious interference claim against you. To mitigate your risk you should either accept the early move out offer or stop engaging with buyers and inspectors.
    via Ask10101
  • CompleteAd2891 Original Poster's Reply I'm more than happy to not engage with the inspector/buyers and did not intend to cause harm by answering a direct question honestly with an answer I thought they were already well aware of. I truly was not attempting to interfere and will happily redirect future questions. What is unfortunately our business is having to live in dangerous and deficient conditions with no plans for repairs so we can pay her mortgage in the meantime as pawns in her financial
    via CompleteAd2891

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landlord homeowner tenant homebuyer bad landlord entitled new homebuyers home entitled people selling
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