Duty to Provide Name and Address of Landlord
All tenants are entitled to know the name and address of their landlord by way of a notice.
Duty to Inform Tenant of Assignment of Landlord’s Interest
Where a tenancy is assigned to a new landlord (which occurs when a landlord purchases a new property that is already subject to a tenancy, for example), the new landlord must give notice in writing to the tenant(s) of the assignment and the name and address of the new landlord.
The notice must be given to the tenant not later than the next day on which rent is payable under the tenancy or if that is within two months of the assignment, the end of that period of two months.
It is a criminal offence to fail to provide the notice required by section 3 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
Address of Landlord in England or Wales
A landlord must by notice furnish the tenant with an address in England or Wales at which notices (including notices in proceedings) may be served on the landlord by the tenant.
The address does not have to be a home address, just an address where notices may be served upon the landlord by the tenant. An agent address is sufficient for this purpose.
This notice is known as a ‘section 48 notice’ because it is required under section 48 Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.
As discussed earlier, the duty to supply an address in England or Wales applies to all landlords, not just a new assignment.
Commonly the notice is provided within the written tenancy agreement, which is the easiest way to comply.
The penalty for failing to provide an address in England or Wales is that no rent is payable by the tenant at any time before the landlord does comply. However, once notice has been provided, the landlord can claim all the rent, including any previous rent that wasn’t payable due to the failure to give the address.
Demand for Rent
Where a demand for rent is given to a tenant, the demand must contain the name and address of the landlord. The address provided must be the landlord's actual address, and if that address is not in England or Wales, an address must be provided in England or Wales where notices may be served on the landlord by the tenant.
Service charges (not ordinarily applicable to assured shorthold tenancies) are not payable until the address is provided.
Tenant Request for Landlord Address
A tenant who occupies a dwelling may make a written request for the landlord's address. The request may be made to the following:
- any person who demands, or the last person who received, rent payable under the tenancy, or
- any other person as agent for the landlord.
The person who received the request must respond within 21 days, and it's a criminal offence to fail to respond.
About the address provided, this can be the landlord's place of abode, place of business or, in the case of a company, its registered office.