Who Owns My Rental? Landlord Identity Disclosure Laws
What a landlord must tell tenants about the owner, the manager and where to pay rent in California, Texas and Florida, and what happens if they don’t.
By Seayora Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked · 4 min read
Short answer: Tenants are entitled to know who owns and manages their home. California requires the lease to name the manager, an owner or agent for notices, and how and where to pay rent, with a copy to the tenant within 15 days, and a successor owner who does not update it cannot evict for rent that accrued meanwhile. Texas requires the record owner and any off-site manager to be disclosed on request within seven days, and Florida requires the landlord’s or agent’s name and address in writing at the start of the tenancy.
Key takeaways
- California: the lease names the manager, an owner or agent for notices, the payee and how rent is paid (Civ. Code § 1962).
- California: a copy of the lease goes to the tenant within 15 days of signing, and a new owner updates the details within 15 days.
- Texas: on request, the landlord discloses the record title holder and any off-site management company within seven days (Prop. Code § 92.201).
- Texas: a landlord who still does not disclose after a second notice faces one month’s rent plus $100 and the tenant may end the lease (§ 92.205).
- Florida: the landlord’s or agent’s name and address are given in writing at or before the start of the tenancy (Fla. Stat. § 83.50).
Does a tenant have a right to know who owns the building?
In many states, yes. Disclosure laws exist so that a tenant can serve a notice, ask for a repair, or pay rent to the right person, and so that a code inspector can find someone responsible. The details differ: some states require the information in the lease, others only on request.
| State | What must be disclosed | When | Consequence of not disclosing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Manager; an owner or agent for service and notices; payee; payment method and place | In the lease (or within 15 days of an oral agreement); copy within 15 days | The person who signed for the owner becomes the owner’s agent for service; a successor owner cannot evict for rent accrued while out of compliance | Civ. Code § 1962 |
| Texas | Record title holder’s name and address; off-site management company’s name and street address | In the lease or rules, by posting, or within 7 days of a request | After a second written notice and 8 days: court order, one month’s rent plus $100, costs and fees, or ending the lease | Prop. Code §§ 92.201–92.206 |
| Florida | Name and address of the landlord or a person authorized to receive notices | In writing at or before the start of the tenancy | The authorized person keeps that role until the tenant is told otherwise | Fla. Stat. § 83.50 |
What does California require?
The owner, or whoever signs the lease for the owner, must disclose in it the name, telephone number and street address for personal service of each person authorized to manage the premises and of an owner or agent authorized to accept service of process and notices; the name, telephone number and address of the person to whom rent is paid (or the bank account or electronic transfer details instead); and the forms of payment accepted. The tenant gets a copy of the lease within 15 days of signing, and another once a year on request. The information must be kept current, and a successor owner or manager must comply within 15 days and “shall not serve a notice … or otherwise evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent that accrued during the period of noncompliance,” though the rent is still owed. A person who signs for an owner without complying is deemed the owner’s agent for service (Cal. Civ. Code § 1962).
What does Texas require?
A landlord must disclose “the name and either a street or post office box address of the holder of record title, according to the deed records in the county clerk’s office,” and, if an off-site entity primarily manages the dwelling, its name and street address. The landlord may do this in the lease or written rules, by continuously posting it in the dwelling or the on-site manager’s office, or in writing within seven days of a tenant’s request. A landlord becomes liable only if it still fails to disclose before the eighth day after the tenant gives written notice that the tenant may use the statutory remedies (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.201–92.202).
The tenant’s remedies are a court order to disclose, the actual cost of finding the information, one month’s rent plus $100, court costs and attorney fees, and “unilateral termination of the lease without a court proceeding.” A landlord has a defense if the tenant owed rent on the date the notice was given, except where the landlord willfully gave a wrong name or address (Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.205–92.206).
What does Florida require?
The landlord or the person who signs for the landlord must “disclose in writing to the tenant, at or before the commencement of the tenancy, the name and address of the landlord or a person authorized to receive notices and demands in the landlord’s behalf,” and that person keeps the authority until the tenant is told otherwise (Fla. Stat. § 83.50).
How can a tenant find the owner if nobody says?
Ownership is a public record kept by the county. In New York City, Philadelphia, Cook County and Washington, D.C., Seayora’s free Who owns lookup reads the government’s own records for an address. Elsewhere, the county recorder or assessor’s website usually shows the owner of record.
Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns my apartment?
Yes. California requires the lease to name an owner or agent for notices, Texas requires the record owner to be disclosed within seven days of a request, and ownership is a public county record everywhere.
What if my landlord will not tell me who owns the building in Texas?
After your request, give written notice that you may use the statutory remedies. If the landlord still does not disclose within the next seven days, you may seek one month’s rent plus $100, costs and fees, or end the lease.
Does a California landlord have to give me a copy of my lease?
Yes, within 15 days of signing, and another copy once a year if you ask.
Sources
- California Civil Code § 1962, California Legislative Information
- Texas Property Code Chapter 92, Subchapter E (§§ 92.201–92.208), Texas Legislature
- Florida Statutes § 83.50, Disclosure of landlord’s address, The Florida Legislature
How Seayora helps
Document storage: Keep the signed lease on file for every tenancy, so the copy California requires within 15 days can be sent at once.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes often, so check the current rule for your property and talk to an attorney before acting on a dispute.
How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.
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