Change of Landlord Notification UK 2026 — Tenant Notice Requirements

The legal notification requirement

Section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires that where a tenanted property changes ownership, the new landlord must give written notice to each tenant of: the new landlord's name and address; the date of transfer
The notice must be given within a reasonable time of the transfer — typically interpreted as as soon as reasonably practicable after completion. No specific form is prescribed — a simple letter confirming the change is sufficient
Failure to give notice is a criminal offence carrying a fine on conviction. It is also a continuing obligation: the new landlord must give an address in England or Wales at which notices (e.g. repair notices, legal proceedings notices) can be served. Failure to provide a service address is itself an offence
Until the new landlord's address has been supplied to the tenant, any rent paid by the tenant to the previous landlord is still treated as validly paid — the new landlord cannot claim the tenant is in arrears for rent paid to the old landlord before notification
The previous landlord's obligations: Section 3 also requires the previous landlord (the seller) to notify the tenant of the change of ownership before or at the time of transfer — in practice, this is often done by the completion solicitors

The deposit remains the tenant's money: on sale of a tenanted property, the deposit must either be transferred to the new landlord's name in the same deposit protection scheme, or the old landlord must repay the deposit to the tenant with the new landlord taking a fresh deposit
The new landlord must serve fresh prescribed information to the tenant confirming the scheme in which the deposit is now protected and the new landlord's details. This must be done within 30 days of the deposit transfer
Failure to re-protect and re-serve prescribed information after a change of landlord exposes the new landlord to penalties of 1–3x the deposit amount, and prevents service of a Section 8 notice in some circumstances
In practice: the completion statement should include a deposit transfer or a deduction/credit mechanism. New landlord solicitors should ensure the deposit protection transfer is documented in the conveyancing process
Self-protection option: the new landlord may prefer to return the existing deposit in full to the tenant and take a fresh deposit. This avoids the need to transfer scheme registrations but requires the tenant's cooperation and a brief unprotected period — ensure the new deposit is protected within 30 days

The new landlord must be in possession of all compliance documents from day one: current gas safety record (within 12 months); EICR (within 5 years); EPC (valid for 10 years, minimum E rating); smoke and carbon monoxide alarm test records; deposit protection confirmation and prescribed information
If the seller cannot produce a current gas safety record, EICR, or EPC, the new landlord must commission these immediately after completion. A new gas safety inspection costs approximately £80–£120. An EICR costs £150–£400 depending on property size
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 Information Sheet: if the existing landlord served the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026 (as required), the new landlord should obtain evidence of service. If not served, the new landlord must serve it promptly
Tenancy agreement: obtain the original signed tenancy agreement and any addenda or amendments. Check deposit protection was correctly done at the outset — re-service of prescribed information does not remedy an original failure to protect within 30 days
Licences: if the property is in a selective or additional licensing area, confirm the licence is transferable or whether a new application is required. Some councils require a fresh licence application on change of ownership

Notify tenants of new payment details in the Section 3 notice: the new bank account number and sort code, the new payment reference, and the new landlord's contact address for maintenance requests
Where a letting agent manages the property, the new landlord should notify the agent of the change and confirm whether the management arrangement continues. The new landlord steps into the contractual relationship with the agent — check whether the management agreement is assignable or needs to be renegotiated
Rent paid to the old landlord before notification is treated as validly paid: the new landlord cannot pursue the tenant for this. Ensure the completion accounts accurately reflect any advance rent received by the seller that covers the post-completion period
Standing orders: the tenant's standing order or direct debit will continue to pay the old landlord until the tenant changes it. Include bank details in the Section 3 notice and request the tenant updates their payment within a specified timeframe
Arrears at the point of sale: any arrears owed at completion are typically the seller's asset — deducted from the completion statement or handled separately. Agree clearly in the sale contract whether arrears transfer with the property or are retained by the seller