Tenant's rights when a landlord sells

A private landlord can sell a property that has tenants living in it. The new owner becomes the tenant’s new landlord.[1]

The buyer takes over the landlord’s part of the tenancy agreement. This happens whether the previous landlord has told the new owner about the tenancy or not.

The tenancy continues as normal. No new tenancy or written agreement is required. A tenant should carefully check the terms of any new agreement they are asked to sign.

These rules only apply to tenancies and not licence agreements.

Notification of the new landlord's details

A tenant has the right to know the name and address of their landlord.[2]

A landlord who sells their property should inform the tenants about the sale and give the details of the new landlord.

The new landlord must inform the tenant of their name and address no later than two months after they have bought the property.[3] If rent is not payable during that period, the landlord must inform the tenant of their name and address no later than the next date that rent is due.

There is no specified prescribed form for the notice of assignment, but the notice must be in writing and provide:

• the date of sale

• the new landlord's name and address

When the new landlord's details are not provided

If the new landlord does not provide the tenant with their name and address, the old landlord remains liable for any breach of the tenancy agreement until it is provided.[4] For example, if the new landlord does not deal with repairs, the old landlord could also be liable.

The new landlord could be prosecuted by the local authority if this information is not provided.

Rent is not lawfully due from the tenant until the landlord provides an address in England or Wales.[5] Once the name and address have been provided, the rent becomes due immediately, so a tenant should keep the money to one side.

A tenant who has not been provided with the details of their new landlord could search on the Land Registry. It might take some time for the Land Registry records to be updated. A tenant can check Land Registry details via gov.uk.

A landlord who is selling their property might want to arrange viewings while the tenants are resident.

A landlord normally must give at least 24 hours' written notice if they want to inspect the property.[6] For example, to check the condition of the property. This would not include viewings for prospective tenants or purchasers.

A tenancy agreement might include a clause stating that the tenant should allow access for viewings at the end of the tenancy. Some clauses might only specify that the tenant must allow access for viewings for prospective new tenants, not prospective buyers.

A tenant who refuses to allow viewings should consider the risk of an impact on references from the landlord. The landlord could serve a section 21 notice if the tenant is an assured shorthold tenant.

A tenant can ask the landlord to rearrange if the proposed time is not convenient for them.

After the landlord sells the property, the tenancy continues on the same terms. A landlord who wants to change the terms, for example to increase the rent, must follow the correct process.

Rent increases

The landlord must follow specific rules to increase the rent.[7]

Find out more about rent increases for private tenants on Shelter Legal.

Regulated tenants have the right to have a fair rent registered. Find out more about regulated tenancies and how fair rents are determined on Shelter Legal.

Tenancy deposits

Where the tenant paid a tenancy deposit, the deposit must remain protected after the landlord sells.

The landlord who is selling should inform the deposit protection scheme they are registered with. The new landlord should ensure that the deposit remains protected.

A tenancy deposit must be protected throughout the tenancy. A tenant can claim compensation if their deposit is not protected at any stage.

Find out more about tenancy deposit protection when a landlord changes on Shelter Legal.

Rent arrears and possession proceedings

If a landlord sells and a tenant owes rent arrears, the money is then owed to the new landlord.

The new landlord has the same options to deal with the arrears as the former landlord. For example, the landlord of an assured tenant could serve a section 8 notice.

Find out more about rent arrears possession.

Some landlords who want to sell might serve their tenants with notice to end the tenancy with the intention of selling the property when it is vacant. A new landlord might wish to evict the tenants once they have bought the property.

The landlord's options for evicting the tenant depend on the tenancy type.

Assured tenancies when the landlord wants to sell

A private landlord might serve a section 8 notice to end an assured tenancy when they intend to sell the property. The landlord must list a ground for possession when using a section 8 notice.

A landlord who wants to sell can use ground 1A to obtain possession. The landlord cannot normally use ground 1 or 1A during the first 12 months of the tenancy. The notice must expire more than 12 months after the start of the current tenancy. The landlord must give the tenant at least four months' notice.[8]

Find out more about possession when a landlord wants to sell or move in.

Assured tenancies after sale

After a new landlord takes ownership of a private rented property, the new landlord can serve a section 8 notice if they have grounds.

Find out more about section 8 notices.

Assured shorthold tenancies

The landlord of an assured shorthold tenant can use a section 21 notice to seek possession if they want to sell.

Most private assured shorthold tenancies became assured tenancies on 1 May 2026. Where a landlord served a section 21 or section 8 notice on an assured shorthold tenant before 1 May 2026, the tenancy continues as an assured shorthold tenancy until possession proceedings end.

Find out more about section 21 notices.

Regulated tenancies

A regulated tenant has strong rights that are retained if the property is sold. A landlord can only end a regulated tenancy where they have grounds. Grounds can be mandatory or discretionary.

Find out more about mandatory grounds to end a regulated tenancy and discretionary grounds to end a regulated tenancy.