Can a tenant ask for their landlord's name and address?

What does section 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 say?

Section 1 gives tenants of homes a simple right. If a tenant of premises occupied as a dwelling makes a written request for the landlord's name and address, the person asked must supply a written statement of the landlord's name and address within 21 days.

The tenant can send the request to any of these:

• the person who demands the rent
• the person who last received the rent
• the landlord's agent

Failing to comply without reasonable excuse is a summary offence. It is a criminal matter, so it is worth taking seriously even when the request looks routine.

Who has to reply to a tenant's request?

Whoever the tenant asked. If you manage the tenancy yourself and collect the rent, that is you. If a letting agent acts for you, a request sent to the agent puts the duty on the agent. If a relative or friend collects the rent for you, they could be the person asked.

That is why it pays to agree in advance what your agent or rent collector will say. Tell them your name as it should appear and the address you want given, so a reply goes out quickly and says the same thing every time. Our guide to using your letting agent's address covers what else to agree with an agent.

How long do you have to reply?

The Act gives 21 days. Note the date the request arrives and reply well within the time rather than on the last day. If you are away or the request went to an address you rarely check, those days can go quickly.

If a tenant writes to your Landlord Address, the letter is logged the day it arrives, flagged as tenant post and you are told the same working day. You can read the scan online and reply well within the 21 days. See how we handle your post.

What do you have to tell the tenant?

A written statement of the landlord's name and address. Give the full name of every landlord and an address.

The Act says name and address. It does not say home address, and it is widely treated as satisfied by an address where the landlord can reliably be reached, such as a correspondence address. We cannot promise that for every case, so take legal advice if you need certainty.

Bear in mind that for written rent demands under section 47 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 the Upper Tribunal read the landlord's address as the landlord's own address. That decision was about section 47 and not section 1, but it is a reason to take advice if the point matters to you. See section 47 and rent demands.

Whatever address you give, the name must be your real name. The section exists so tenants know who their landlord is, and a correspondence address should never be used to hide that. Every Landlord Address customer passes an identity check before an address is issued.

What happens if nobody replies?

The person who was asked risks committing an offence if they fail to reply within 21 days without reasonable excuse. Apart from that, a tenant who cannot find out who their landlord is may be trying to write to you or serve a notice, and silence only makes a disagreement harder to resolve. A short clear reply is the easy option.

What is sensible practice for landlords?

1. Decide which address you will give

   Use the same address as your section 48 notice and written statement, so tenants have one place to write to.

2. Brief your agent or rent collector

   Give them your full name and the address to use, in writing, and ask them to tell you whenever a request arrives.

3. Reply in writing

   Send a short written statement to the tenant, keep a copy and note the date you sent it.

4. Make sure the address works

   A tenant who has your address will use it. Post there needs to be opened and passed to you quickly, especially anything from a court, council or deposit scheme.

What should a reply to a tenant look like?

Copy this, fill in the parts in square brackets and send it to the tenant. It is a general template, not legal advice.

Statement of the landlord's name and address
Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, section 1

To: [full names of the tenants]
Property: [address of the rented property]

In reply to your written request dated [date], the landlord's name and address are:

Name: [full name of the landlord, or all joint landlords]
Address: [address]

Date: [date]
Signed: [landlord, or agent on the landlord's behalf]

Common questions

Does the tenant's request have to be in writing?

The duty under section 1 applies to a written request. If a tenant asks by phone or in person it is still sensible to answer in writing, so you both have a record.

Can my letting agent refuse to give my details?

If the request is made to your agent, the duty to reply within 21 days is theirs. Agree in advance which name and address they will give.

Can I give my Landlord Address instead of my home address?

It is widely treated as acceptable because the Act asks for a name and address, not a home address. Take advice if you need certainty. Your name must always be your own. See do I have to give my tenant my home address?

What if there are joint landlords?

Give the name of every landlord, and an address where each of them can be reached.