Tenancy rights if your landlord sells your home
Your tenancy keeps going if your landlord sells your home. Your rights stay the same.
The new owner cannot just tell you to leave. They have to take the right legal steps to end your tenancy.
You have the same rights if your landlord dies and their relative:
becomes your new landlord or
looks after your tenancy while your landlord's estate is sorted out
Viewings before the property is sold
Your old landlord might ask you to let people in to view the property if they are selling it.
Check your most recent tenancy agreement to see if it says you must let potential buyers view the property.
You do not have to agree to allow viewings unless your agreement says so.
If you do not agree to viewings there is a risk that your landlord might take steps to end an assured shorthold tenancy. They could do this with a section 21 notice.
Notice or pressure to leave after a sale
You can ask the council for help if a new landlord or agent gives you a notice to leave.
Your council could:
check the notice is valid
try to sort things out with your new landlord
help you find somewhere else to live
It is an illegal eviction if your new landlord or agent forces you to leave.
Get help from the council if you're facing harassment.
Letter template: if you're pressured to leave
Copy this template into an email or message to your new landlord.
[Use the subject: My tenancy]
As you are aware, I am a tenant at [your address].
My tenancy started on [date]. It was agreed with [name of your old landlord].
On [date] you asked me to leave. You need to give me notice if you want to end my tenancy.
I will stay here until my tenancy ends legally. For now, it continues on the same terms even though the property has been sold.
[Add this if you have a fixed term tenancy] My fixed term tenancy ends on [date].
[Add this if you want to stay after the fixed term] I would like to stay when the fixed term ends. Please contact me about this closer to the time.
Please let me know your full name, address and contact details.
You can also send it as an email attachment or by post:
Word template: Pressure to leave from a new landlord (docx 15.3kb)
OpenDocument template: Pressure to leave from a new landlord (odt 8kb)
Your tenancy agreement
Your new landlord or letting agent might ask you to sign a new tenancy agreement.
You do not have to sign a new tenancy agreement unless you want to. Your tenancy stays the same even if there is a new owner.
For example, these things stay the same:
how much rent you pay
the length of the fixed term if you have one
Letter template: if you're told you must sign a new agreement
Copy this template into an email or message to your new landlord.
[Use the subject: My tenancy]
As you are aware, I am a tenant at [your address].
My tenancy started on [date]. It was agreed with [name of your old landlord].
On [date] you asked me to sign a new tenancy agreement following the sale of the property.
I do not wish to sign a new agreement. For now, my tenancy continues on the same terms even though the property has been sold.
[Add this if you have a fixed term tenancy] My fixed term tenancy ends on [date].
[Add this if you want to stay after the fixed term] I would like to stay when the fixed term ends. Please contact me about this closer to the time.
Please let me know your full name, address and contact details.
You can also send it as an email attachment or by post:
Word template: Pressure to sign a new agreement after a sale (docx 15.2kb)
OpenDocument template: Pressure to sign a new agreement after a sale (odt 7.71kb)
If you sign a new contract, this replaces your previous agreement.
Find out what to check in a tenancy agreement.
Your new landlord's responsibilities
Your new landlord should tell you:
their name and address
the date they became the legal owner of your home
They have 2 months from buying your home to give you these details.
As soon as your home is sold to a new landlord, they are responsible for repairs - even if your old landlord caused the problems.
Your new landlord must make sure your deposit stays protected in a scheme. They must send you the details of which scheme it's in.
Find out what happens with your deposit if your landlord changes.
Last updated: 2 April 2024
