My Landlord Is Selling the Property. What Are My Rights as a Tenant?

For sale signs make tenants nervous, and searches about landlord sales spike every time the Southern California market heats up. The core rule is reassuring: selling the property does not, by itself, end a tenancy. This article is general legal information, not legal advice.

Does a sale terminate my lease?

No. A fixed-term lease survives the sale, and the buyer takes the property subject to it. The new owner steps into the old landlord's shoes: same rent, same terms, same deposit obligations. Month-to-month tenancies also continue automatically with the new owner, and any termination still requires proper notice and, where applicable, just cause.

Can the new owner evict me to move in?

Only within strict limits. If the unit is covered by AB 1482, an owner move-in is a no-fault just cause that requires relocation assistance and, under SB 567, the notice must name the intended occupant, that person generally must move in within 90 days after the tenant vacates, and they must live there as a primary residence for at least 12 months. Failure to follow through exposes the owner to damages and an obligation to re-offer the unit at the old rent. Los Angeles RSO units have their own owner-occupancy rules and higher relocation payments.

What are the rules for showings while the property is listed?

Entry for showings follows Civil Code section 1954: reasonable written notice, presumed 24 hours, during normal business hours. Once the landlord has given written notice that the property is for sale, oral notice 24 hours ahead can suffice for 120 days. Tenants are not required to allow open houses at any hour, and agents cannot enter on demand.

What happens to my security deposit when the building sells?

Under Civil Code section 1950.5, the seller must either transfer the deposit to the buyer or return it to the tenant, with notice. Either way, the new owner becomes responsible for the deposit at move-out. Keep records of what you paid and any correspondence about the sale. If a new owner pressures you to leave, demands you sign a new lease with worse terms, or serves a questionable notice, get advice early. Baghikian Law represents tenants and landlords across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.