What happens with the letting agent when I sell a tenanted property?
A letting agent handover is the transfer of management, tenant records, deposits and rent from the seller's agent to the buyer when a tenanted property is sold. The seller should check the agency agreement for sale fees or notice periods, and tenants must be told the new landlord's name and address.
Read more in our guide: Selling a portfolio with tenants
Handover checklist
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Agency agreement | Check notice period and any fee if the buyer keeps the agent |
| Deposits | Transfer within the scheme or pass to the buyer to protect |
| Rent | Apportion on completion; tell tenants where to pay |
| Tenant notice | New landlord's name and address to tenants |
| Records | Tenancies, certificates, inventories, keys, repair history |
| Client money | Agent to account for rent and float held |
The agency agreement
Most management agreements can be ended on notice, often one to three months. Some charge a fee if the buyer is introduced by the agent or if the agent's tenants transfer to a new owner. Read the terms before agreeing a sale, and agree in writing whether the buyer will keep the agent. A buyer who keeps a good agent can make the transfer seamless for tenants.
Telling the tenants
The tenancy continues with the buyer as landlord. In England the new landlord must tell the tenant their name and address in writing, normally within two months of the sale, and the seller remains liable on some landlord obligations until that notice is given. Tenants also need an address in England or Wales for serving notices. A joint letter from seller and buyer on completion day is the simplest approach.
Deposits and rent
Deposits must remain protected. Either the scheme registration is transferred to the buyer, or the money passes to the buyer, who must protect it and serve prescribed information. See tenancy deposit protection. Rent is apportioned on the completion statement, and the agent should account for any rent held.
Records and compliance
Hand over signed tenancies, written statements, information sheet evidence, safety certificates, licences, inventories and keys. From late 2026, landlords must also register on the private rented sector database, so the buyer will need the property details to register in their own name.
Official Sources and Further Reading
General information for landlords in England, checked against official sources in October 2026. It is not tax, legal or financial advice: speak to a qualified accountant or solicitor about your own circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
A letting agent handover is the transfer of management, tenant records, deposits and rent from the seller's agent to the buyer when a tenanted property is sold. The seller should check the agency agreement for sale fees or notice periods, and tenants must be told the new landlord's name and address.
No. The landlord can sell, and the tenancy transfers automatically to the buyer.
Only if the agreement says so. Check for introduction or sale fees and termination terms.
Rent due after completion goes to the buyer. Write to tenants with the new payment details straight away.
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