If you rent a flat in a building that changes hands, the first thing you might feel is uncertainty. Who do you pay rent to now? Does your tenancy still stand? The short answer is that your rights carry over to the new owner, but the process is rarely as smooth as it should be. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, which took full effect on 1 May 2026, most existing assured shorthold tenancies automatically became assured periodic tenancies. That change matters when a building changes landlord because your tenancy type is now open-ended, and the new landlord must follow the same legal rules as the previous one. What tends to trip people up is the paperwork, the deposit transfer, and the timing of rent payments during the handover. Here’s what you actually need to know.
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This article is general information only and does not constitute professional advice. For your specific situation, consult a qualified professional.
When a building switches landlords, every tenancy in that building is legally transferred to the new owner. That means your deposit, your rent schedule, and your rights under the Renters’ Rights Act all move with you. But the handover period is where mistakes happen — deposits get lost, safety certificates go missing, and tenants end up unsure who to contact when something breaks. The new legal framework, especially the end of fixed-term tenancies and the introduction of mandatory landlord registration, makes it easier to hold the new landlord accountable, but only if you know what to check.
A key term you will hear during a building handover is assignment of tenancy. This is the legal process where the rights and obligations of the old landlord pass to the new one. It does not require your consent, but it does require the new landlord to honour every existing term of your tenancy, including the deposit protection and any agreed rent level.
What the full cost picture looks like when a building changes hands
Most tenants assume that when a building changes landlords, the cost to them stays the same. That is true for the rent itself — the new landlord cannot raise it within the first 12 months of a new tenancy, and even after that, only once per year using a Form 4A with two months’ notice. But the surrounding costs and fees can shift. The new landlord may charge different fees for late payment, change the managing agent, or introduce new requirements for access and maintenance. The deposit is the biggest risk. If the old landlord does not transfer it to the new landlord within the prescribed scheme, you could be left chasing both parties. The Renters’ Rights Act caps deposits at one month’s rent, so if your old deposit was higher, the new landlord must refund the difference.
There is also the question of the Information Sheet. Every landlord must give tenants a government-produced Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026, or face a fine of up to £7,000. If you are in a building that changed hands after that date, the new landlord must provide it at the point of handover. My first move if I were a tenant in a building that had just switched landlords would be to check three things: whether the deposit is protected, whether the new landlord has provided the Information Sheet, and whether the new landlord is registered on the PRS Database (once it launches in late 2026).
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| Item | Old rule (pre-May 2026) | New rule (post-May 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy type | Fixed-term assured shorthold | Open-ended assured periodic |
| Eviction process | Section 21 no-fault (2 months) | Section 8 grounds only (4 months typical) |
| Deposit cap | 6 weeks’ rent | 1 month’s rent |
| Rent increase | Flexible, any time | Once per year, Form 4A, 2 months’ notice |
| Landlord registration | None | PRS Database (late 2026, mandatory) |
| EPC fine for non-compliance | Up to £5,000 | Up to £30,000 |
Common mistakes tenants make during a landlord change
Assuming the old tenancy agreement is void
When a building changes hands, some tenants think their old tenancy agreement is no longer valid. That is not correct. The Renters’ Rights Act makes it clear that the existing tenancy continues under the new landlord. If you had a written agreement before, you do not need a new one. If you did not have a written agreement, the new landlord must give you certain written information about the key terms. The mistake here is agreeing to a new tenancy with different terms when you are not legally required to do so. If the new landlord asks you to sign a fresh agreement, check whether it changes anything — rent, notice period, deposit terms — before signing.
Not checking the deposit transfer
This is the most financially consequential mistake. The old landlord must either transfer the deposit to the new landlord’s protection scheme or the new landlord must re-register it within 30 days. If neither happens, your deposit is unprotected. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a Rent Repayment Order, which could force the landlord to repay up to two years of rent. My advice is to check the deposit protection certificate as soon as you learn the building has changed hands. If it is not in the new landlord’s name within 30 days, contact the scheme provider and, if necessary, speak to a tenant landlord lawyer about your options.
Paying rent to the wrong person
During a handover, it is not always clear who you should pay rent to. The old landlord may still be collecting rent while the new landlord expects payment. The mistake is paying without getting written confirmation of the new payment details. The safest approach is to ask both parties in writing — ideally by email — who the rent should be paid to from what date. Keep a record of the response. If you pay the wrong person, you could end up having to pay twice. The Renters’ Rights Act does not change the basic rule that rent must be paid to the person who legally owns the property at the time the rent is due. If you are unsure, a property lawyer can clarify the payment chain.
Ignoring the Information Sheet deadline
By 31 May 2026, every landlord in England must have given their tenants the government-produced Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet. If the building changed hands after that date, the new landlord must provide it at the point of handover. Tenants who do not receive it can report the landlord to the local council, which has new powers to investigate and issue fines of up to £7,000. This is not a minor administrative detail — the Information Sheet explains your rights under the new tenancy framework, including how to challenge a rent increase and how to end your tenancy. If you have not received it, that is a red flag about the new landlord’s compliance.
How the landlord change process actually works, step by step
What happens on the day of transfer
The legal transfer of ownership happens at completion, usually handled by solicitors. From that moment, the new landlord owns the building and all tenancy agreements transfer automatically. You do not need to do anything immediately, but you should expect to receive written notice from either the old or new landlord confirming the change. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, the new landlord must provide you with an Information Sheet if you have not already received one. If you have a written tenancy agreement, it continues to apply. If you do not, the new landlord must give you written information about the key terms — rent, payment frequency, and notice period — within a reasonable time. The new landlord also becomes responsible for all safety obligations: gas safety certificates, electrical installation condition reports, and EPC compliance. The EPC fine for non-compliance has risen to £30,000 per property, so a responsible new landlord will confirm these documents are in order.
Deposit and rent logistics
The deposit is the most practical issue. The new landlord must either take over the existing deposit protection scheme or re-register the deposit within 30 days. You should receive a new deposit certificate from the scheme provider. If you do not, follow up immediately. Rent payments should switch to the new landlord’s account from the date of transfer. The old landlord should refund any rent you paid in advance for periods after the transfer date. The Renters’ Rights Act also caps the maximum rent in advance at one month, so if the old landlord asked for more than that, the new landlord cannot demand the same. If you have a pet in the property, the new landlord must consider your request to keep it and give a reason if they refuse — that right is not affected by the change of ownership.
What the new landlord must do to be compliant
Under the new rules, the new landlord must register on the national PRS Database when it launches in late 2026. Registration is mandatory and linked to each property’s Unique Property Reference Number. Non-registration can result in fines of up to £7,000, rising to £40,000 for repeated breaches. More importantly, the landlord cannot serve a valid possession notice without being registered. The new landlord must also join the mandatory Private Rented Sector Ombudsman service, which can investigate tenant complaints, make legally binding decisions, and order compensation. From a tenant’s perspective, this means you have a clear route to escalate issues if the new landlord does not comply with the rules. The Landlord Association notes that documentation and record-keeping are now critical under the new procedural requirements, so a good landlord will have everything in order from day one.
What happens if the new landlord wants to end your tenancy
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, the new landlord cannot evict you without a valid ground for possession. The old ‘no-fault’ Section 21 process is abolished. If the new landlord wants to sell the property or move in themselves, they can use Ground 1A or Ground 1, but they must give you at least four months’ notice, and they cannot evict you within the first 12 months of the tenancy. If you are a student in a house of multiple occupation, the landlord may use Ground 4A if you do not move out at the end of the academic year. For non-payment of rent or antisocial behaviour, the reformed Grounds 8, 10, and 11 apply. The key point is that the new landlord cannot simply decide they want you out — they need a legal reason, proper notice, and a court order if you do not leave. The EPC Guide tracker confirms that the possession process is now more complex and procedural, which generally works in your favour as a tenant.
Frequently asked questions about building landlord changes
Do I need to sign a new tenancy agreement when the building changes hands? ▾
What if the new landlord tries to increase my rent immediately? ▾
Who is responsible for the gas safety certificate after the handover? ▾
Can the new landlord evict me if they want to renovate the apartment? ▾
What if the old landlord kept my deposit and did not transfer it? ▾
Does the new landlord have to accept my pet? ▾
What the new regulatory landscape means for tenants in a building handover
The most important shift is that the new landlord cannot simply bypass your rights. The Renters’ Rights Act, combined with the PRS Database and the new Ombudsman service, creates a framework where tenants have clearer routes to challenge non-compliance. The days of a landlord change meaning a blank slate for the new owner are over. Your deposit, your tenancy terms, and your right to remain in the property are all protected by law. The practical question is whether the new landlord knows the rules. If they do not, the fines — up to £7,000 for missing the Information Sheet, up to £30,000 for EPC breaches, and the risk of a Rent Repayment Order — are real incentives to get it right. For tenants, the best approach is to verify everything in writing, keep copies of all documents, and use the Ombudsman and tribunal routes if the new landlord falls short.
Remember: this article is general information only. For advice on your specific situation, speak to a qualified professional.
If this was useful, you might also want to read Coastal Living vs City Life: Which Offers Greater Happiness and Returns?.
Sources and Further Reading
How to Avoid the Biggest Mistakes UK Property Investors Make — Practical guidance on common property pitfalls, including landlord compliance and tenant rights.
Pet-Friendly Apartments: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect UK Match — What to know about pet policies when renting or buying, relevant to the new pet request rules.
GOV.UK (2026). Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants. 🔗
Landlord Association (2026). Rental market and regulation predictions for second half of 2026. 🔗
EPC Guide (2026). Landlord regulation changes 2026 tracker. 🔗
