Q. I have just purchased a property that has existing tenants. Is there a special form I need to use to notify the tenants that I am now their landlord?

A. You are required to notify the tenants, but there is no prescribed form for this, so you can send a letter. The obligation comes under section 3 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and arises when a ‘landlord’s interest’ is assigned – which is what has happened if you buy a property with sitting tenants.  

Section 3 says that you, the new landlord, must give notice, in writing, of your name and address and that this must be done “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.” So effectively, you have two months to do it.

It is important that you do this as it is actually a criminal offence if you don’t. You will also want to let the tenants know the new arrangements for payment of rent as you will not want this going to the old landlord!

Q. I am concerned that my letting agents don’t seem to be dealing with issues with my tenants properly. Is there any reason why I can’t contact my tenants directly? Do I need to notify the agents if I do so?