bleeper1 says: (1/30/12 10:44 PM)
I just moved into 909. If anyone knows how to translate this stuff into English, that would be most helpful. My only concern is whether my lease will remain valid for the next 12 months, regardless of what happens with the sale.

jcm9921 says: (1/31/12 12:13 PM)
Your lease is fine, renewal may be interesting, but for the length of your lease nothing can change...I haven't read the whole contract downstairs(or my lease in several months) but I am sure there is something about assignees...which covers sales and basically means the new owners have to act the same as the old owners in terms of any existing leases(although I only got a B+ in contracts back in law school)...more importantly, I am concerned about the staff, not sure of their situation.

Tee says: (1/31/12 10:04 PM)
I found this on the internet, I could be wrong but based on my calculations my 750 sq ft apt could go for $225k. If you hear of anyone planning to develop a tenant assocation for purchase at the Jefferson, please let me know.

Or if you could tell me how to get it started that would be great as well.


link

Clementine says: (2/1/12 9:54 AM)
I took a quick look at the 100 I contract this morning and it looks like the buyer is a real estate investment trust managed by JP Morgan's Commingled Pension Trust Fund (Strategic Property). The concierge and cleaning contracts seem to be being picked up, but I didn't see the overall Greystar management contract on either the schedule of included or excluded service contracts. It may be addressed somewhere deeper in the text of the contract, I only read the purchase section and those exhibits.

tspaquin says: (2/3/12 2:41 PM)
My line of work includes DC Real Estate and landlord/tenant matters, but I'm not a lawyer, so take this for what it's worth.

In DC, you have something called "TOPA" - which stands for the Tenant's Opportunity to Purchase Act. This law requires that for a sale of any residential rental property that is not vacant, i.e. has tenants currently living there, the seller must give the tenants the first opportunity to purchase the property. When there is a 3rd party contract, the tenants are giving a period of time in which to unite and form a tenant association, make an offer on the property (I believe you must at least match the 3rd party offer), and obtain financing. If you have already been put on notice of the proposed sale with the proper TOPA notices being mailed to you and posted in our property, then the clock is ticking. I believe you have 45 days to form a tenant association.

This translates into a great opportunity for many renters in DC. However, if you don't have a sufficient number of tenants interested in buying the building, then the sale can go through to the 3rd party. I believe any leases in place would remain in effect. Certain things could change with a new owner.

If there is sufficient interest among you and your neighbors to purchase your apartment building (usually such a move would result in a condominium regime) -- then you should consult an attorney who is knowledgeable in these matters immediately. My law firm specializes in such things, if you want to contact us.

- Tom

monicaterp says: (2/8/12 9:57 AM)
I hope this message reaches all that responded earlier. Jefferson and Axiom are both indeed trying to form tenants associations. I only know about the Jefferson's. We are forming for all residents so that we can hope to have some say in negotiations with the property. We are NOT all planning to buy our units or the building. With TOPA, residents may negotiate all terms of the sale- relocation money for those wishing to move, purchase options for those wishing to buy, and rent concessions for those who want to continue renting. Regardless of if and when a sale takes place, the tenant assoc can also assist us with communications with management regarding building issues. PLEASE sign up- there is NO FEE OR OBLIGATION. We currently just need a majority of tenants to give us their names, in order to legally form the assoc. AGAIN, THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO BUY YOUR UNIT!!! E-mail jcytenants@gmail.com with your name & apt number PLEASE!!!

JD says: (2/8/12 10:13 AM)
(Asked on Twitter, but I'll ask here). Have the tenants received the separate notification that I think is required under DC law that the building is going to be switched to condos? That wasn't part of the notifications received last week.

monicaterp says: (2/8/12 10:32 AM)
(from twitter) Current management is insisting the buyers want to keep it a rental. Tenant assoc can neg terms of sale influencing either way though....I, for example, wish to move out completely, but it would be nice to receive relocation $. This is not rare- see this article: link Residents who wanted to move got $20,000!!!!!

tspaquin says: (2/17/12 9:57 AM)
The only way they would offer move-out $$ would be if they want to convert it to condos. If they want to keep it rental, there is no reason to offer any move-out incentive.