Dear Rabbi Simon
Our friends are away over Pesach and have offered us their house to stay in during that time. They have said they’ll do a basic cleaning, but not the counters (kitchen won’t be properly Pesach cleaned/kashered).
Are we able to stay there over Pesach? They’ll be selling their chametz. Do we need to ensure they sell only their chametz and not the whole house?
Thanks
Ben
Dear Ben,
Thank you for your question.
If there is no chametz is view, eg box of Cheerios, bag of pretzels, bottle of whisky, you may stay in the home during Pesach. Determine in advance if you can use the refrigerator, for example, or if there is visible/accessible chametz within. WRT to sale itself (and your permission to stay there while your friends are away), the house will be only on a rental basis vis a vis chametz. The Sale of Chametz contracts are fairly standard to allow for a range of possibilities.
Best wishes for a joyous and kosher Pesach
Rabbi Rashi Simon