Sitting tenant on a Rent Act tenancy? Get a specialist who knows them
Specialist help with regulated, sitting and statutory tenancies.
- Keeping landlords safe since 1990
- Wimbledon office, 45 Quicks Road
- Every step checked by a person
- Fixed price, shown before you pay
Why it matters
Regulated tenancies under the Rent Act 1977 usually started before 15 January 1989, and they follow completely different rules from modern tenancies. The rent is normally a 'fair rent' registered with the Rent Officer. Succession can pass the tenancy on to a family member. Getting the property back is far harder. Few agents have handled these tenancies, and mistakes are costly. We review your case and give you a clear written plan.
What you get
- A check of whether the tenancy is regulated, contractual or statutory
- A review of the registered fair rent and whether a new registration is worth applying for
- Succession position explained: who could inherit the tenancy, and on what terms
- Your realistic options, including selling with a sitting tenant
- A written action plan, with a quote for any follow-on work
Not included
- Court proceedings or legal representation. We refer these to a specialist solicitor
How it works
- 1
Pay and tell us the history
When the tenancy started, who lives there, and the current rent.
- 2
We review the documents
Tenancy paperwork, rent register entries and correspondence.
- 3
You get a written plan
Tenancy status, rent position, succession risk and your options.
- 4
We act, if you want us to
Fair rent applications, negotiations and sale strategy, quoted first.
Common questions
How do I know if my tenant has a Rent Act tenancy?
It is likely if the tenancy started before 15 January 1989 and has continued since, although there are exceptions. We confirm the status from the paperwork and history.
Can I increase the rent on a regulated tenancy?
Usually only by having a fair rent registered by the Rent Officer. Increases are limited by a legal cap, and a new registration normally cannot be made within two years of the last one. We check whether an application is worthwhile.
Can I sell a property with a sitting tenant?
Yes. There is a specialist market for tenanted properties, and the right strategy and buyer make a large difference to the price you achieve.
Do I need to use Rentals and Sales as my letting agent?
No. These are standalone, fixed-fee services for self-managing landlords. You keep managing your property and we do the one job you have paid for.
Which properties do you cover?
Residential lets in England. We are based in Wimbledon and most of our work is in south-west London, but paperwork-based services can be delivered for properties elsewhere in England.
General information for residential lettings in England, not legal advice. Rules depend on the tenancy and can change. Check current government guidance.