Deed of Assignment of Tenancy
- A deed of assignment can cover the transfer of ownership of property, rent and other assets.
- In a lettings context this is the transfer of a tenancy.
- This might follow a student dropping out and another replacing the "drop-out".
- A document called a Deed of Assignment is prepared, often by a solicitor (but need not be). This must be signed by each of the three parties: Landlord, original tenant(s) and substitute tenant(s).
- In addition each signature must be witnessed verifying that the signature is that of the named party. The witnesses must provide their own signature and address in the event of a dispute as to the authenticity of a party signature.
- The new tenant takes over from the old tenant usually releasing the original tenant but need not do so.
- Sounds simple in theory, but in practice is fraught with complications. See Subletting and Substitution
See also
- Alternative accommodation
- Swapping houses - cannot use a deed of assignment.
- moving
Published: 5 November 2013
Last Updated: 27 November 2021