Landlords are required to provide tenants with the name and address of the owner of the Property.

A tenant has to be informed as to the correct name, mailing address, and telephone number of the actual owner of the property that the tenant rents.  This knowledge is necessary so that court papers can be properly served in the event a tenant sues the landlord.

The lease agreement can state the name and address of the actual owner (not just the management company) or the information can be posted in a place on the property that is accessible to the tenant. 

In the event that this information is not provided in the lease or in a place accessible to the tenant, the courts will deem proper service to a property owner or landlord if such service is to:

1.  the person to whom the rent is paid;
2.  the address where the rent is paid;
3.  the address where the tax bill is sent.

The risk to the landlord is that notice of a lawsuit could be sent to a clerk or the management company and the actual landlord would not be aware of the suit, risking summary judgment for failure to file a notice of intention to defend.

Many landlords allow the leases to be written in the name of the management company, or make up a name like "ABC Apartments" as the landlord, when, in fact, the landlord is a company or person other than "ABC Apartments".

Copyright © 2006 Ben Frederick Realty, Inc
Last modified: 08/04/06