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Question Title: Disclosure of address of Landlord who lives abroad
| Question: 363 |
| One of the tenants of a property that I manage has written to me for the address of the landlord of the property that he is renting. He hasn't given me a reason for this request but he has been quite awkward in the past on things like repairs and I don't know what I should do. The landlord, who lives in South Africa, has always told me that he does not want any contact with the tenants and basically leaves everything up to me to sort out. I thought that I read somewhere that I had to comply with a written request from the tenant for the landlord's address. Is that correct?
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| Answer: |
| Tenants of any premises occupied as a dwelling may make a written request for the landlord's name and address. Whilst some commentators believe that a 'c/o agent' address may be sufficient' there is no case law known which clarifies the requirements of this specific provision of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The information has to be supplied within 21 days or an offence is committed. However, a landlord's place of business can count as an 'address' and it could be argued that your address, as his agent, could be his place of business in this country. A tenant may also make request in writing, for full name and place of abode or place of business of the landlord for purposes of bringing any proceedings under Protection from Eviction Act. In both Acts there is a provision for 'without reasonable excuse', which is a key phrase. This means that a landlord could argue that his agent's address, as his business address, is sufficient since he wishes to retain his privacy, the agent is quite able and does pass on any correspondence. If an agent was ignoring or not carrying out this duty, or landlord or agent did not carry out repairing duties for example, or reply to correspondence, the matter might be different.
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References:
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Pages:
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Hyperlinks:
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Letting Update Journal |
Jul 2002 page 12 |
letting-update-journal.html
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Letting Handbook |
Chapters 4 & 17 |
letting-handbook-and-factsheets.html
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For more information, discuss on the Forum
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