Assignment of tenancy
Transferring a tenancy from one tenant to another.
2 min read · Updated 2 August 2026
Overview
Assignment transfers the whole tenancy — rights and obligations — from the existing tenant to a new one. Most private tenancy agreements prohibit assignment without the landlord's written consent. Assignment is different from subletting, where the original tenant stays liable.
Legal requirements
- An assignment of a legal tenancy should be by deed and signed by all parties.
- Deposit protection must be re-registered with the correct tenant details after an assignment.
Practical guidance
- Reference the incoming tenant exactly as you would a new applicant, including Right to Rent checks.
- Serve the full compliance pack again to the new tenant.
This wiki entry is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.