Your landlord can legally sell the property while you are still living in it. But the sale does not automatically cancel your tenancy or take away your rights.
Do I have to leave
No. A sale does not cancel your tenancy. Your landlord must still follow the legal eviction process if they want you to leave. This includes:
- serving a valid notice
- applying to court for a possession order, if necessary
Many landlords prefer to sell with vacant possession (i.e., no tenants), but they cannot force you out without going through the correct legal steps.
Do they have to tell me about the sale
No. Your landlord is not legally required to tell you before the sale completes. In fact, many tenants only find out afterwards. The new landlord must give you written notice within two months. This notice must include the new landlord’s name and address. Failure to do so is a criminal offence.
Can my landlord show potential buyers around
Generally, tenants have exclusive possession of their home, which means your landlord (or their agents) cannot enter without your agreement, except for repairs or inspections with proper notice.
Viewings by potential buyers are not automatically allowed. Your tenancy agreement might include a clause about allowing viewings, but this clause must:
- give you reasonable notice
- be limited to reasonable times
- avoid unnecessary disruption
If the clause is too vague or demanding, it may be considered unfair and unenforceable.
What happens when a new landlord takes over
If the property is sold, the tenancy continues exactly as before:
- your rights and responsibilities remain unchanged
- the terms of the tenancy agreement stay the same
- you do not need to sign a new tenancy, although it can help to clarify things
The only thing that changes is the identity of the landlord.
Paying rent after the sale
You must ensure you’re paying rent to the correct landlord. You can:
- request the new landlord’s name and address in writing
- expect a response within 21 days, failure to provide this is a criminal offence
If you’re unsure who the rightful landlord is:
- ask the previous landlord to confirm the new owner in writing
- consider withholding rent temporarily and saving it in a separate account until you’re satisfied with the new landlord’s identity
What about repairs and other responsibilities
The new landlord takes over all responsibilities from the previous one, including:
- carrying out repairs
- managing the tenancy in accordance with the law
If you haven't received notice of the sale and there are outstanding issues, you can take legal action against:
- the old landlord
- the new landlord
- or both, depending on the situation
Receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit
As soon as you are notified of the sale:
- inform your local Housing Benefit Office or the Universal Credit service
- ask them to stop payments to the old landlord
- provide them with the details of the new landlord to update their records