Rights of Tenants: Sale of Building

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What happens if my landlord sells my building?

The sale of your building may affect your rights.

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If you do not have a written lease, your old tenancy will end. The new owner must let you stay for at least as long as you have paid for. You and your new landlord can make a new agreement. If your new landlord accepts rent from you, then you have a new tenancy.

If you have a lease, you probably have the right to stay until the end of your lease term. Read your lease to see if it says anything different. If your lease term is for more than 2 years, you should record your lease in your county Registry of Deeds before the sale, to help protect your lease rights. This rule also applies if you have a long term lease with no specific ending date.

Does the new landlord have to give me a notice to quit before evicting me?

Yes. Even if you are a tenant at will (no lease), your new landlord must give you a 30 day or a 7 day written notice, unless your old landlord already gave you the notice. (See Evictions.)

What if my building is in foreclosure?

A federal law signed in May 2009 may give you more protections. This law states that, in a foreclosure situation, you must be given at least 90 days notice to move. Or, if you have a lease, you must be allowed to stay until the end of your lease term. Read more.

Revised August 2010