Needing to reach your landlord about a repair or an emergency and having no way to do it is a common and stressful problem. The good news is that UK law gives tenants a clear right to know who their landlord is and how to contact them — and gives you practical levers if the details are withheld. This guide explains exactly what you’re entitled to, the laws behind it, and the steps to take.
Last reviewed: 9 August 2026. Applies to England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland differ.
Key takeaways
- You can demand your landlord’s name and address in writing, and they must reply within 21 days (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, s1).
- Your landlord must put a name and address on rent demands, and give a UK address for serving notices — until they do, rent isn’t legally due (LTA 1987, s47–48).
- Contact details also come via deposit protection paperwork and, increasingly, the PRS database.
- If details are withheld, escalate to the council, and you can look up the owner at HM Land Registry.
- Don’t withhold rent as a tactic — it can put you in arrears. Use the legal routes instead.
Your legal right to your landlord’s details
Several laws work together here, and knowing them by name makes your request far harder to ignore:
- Section 1, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. If you write to whoever collects your rent (the landlord or their agent) asking for the landlord’s name and address, they must supply it within 21 days. Failing to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence, punishable by a fine.
- Section 47, Landlord and Tenant Act 1987. Any written demand for rent or service charges must state the landlord’s name and address.
- Section 48, Landlord and Tenant Act 1987. Your landlord must give you a UK address at which notices can be served. This is a powerful one: until they do, rent is not lawfully due — though it accrues and becomes payable once they comply, so don’t treat it as free rent.
The key timeframes
What contact information you should have
By law and good practice, you should hold your landlord’s full name and a UK address for serving notices; a name and address on every rent demand; and, if an agent manages the property, the agent’s name, address and phone number. Many landlords also provide an out-of-hours emergency number for urgent problems like a burst pipe or total loss of heating — not strictly required by the disclosure statutes, but standard for a well-run tenancy.
| Contact | What you should get | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord | Full name + UK address for notices | Legal correspondence and serving documents |
| Rent demands | Name + address on the demand itself | Required by LTA 1987 s47 |
| Managing agent | Name, address, phone | Day-to-day management and repairs |
| Emergency | Out-of-hours number (good practice) | Urgent issues outside office hours |
Where the details also appear
You may already have your landlord’s details without realising it:
- Your tenancy agreement usually names the landlord and an address for notices.
- Deposit protection paperwork. When your deposit is protected (within 30 days), the ‘prescribed information’ you must be given includes the landlord’s contact details and the scheme’s. Check your deposit certificate.
- The PRS database. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords must register on the new private rented sector database, giving another route to confirm who your landlord is.
- HM Land Registry. For a small fee you can buy the title register for the property, which names the legal owner.
How to request the details formally
Requesting your landlord’s details
Email or letter to whoever collects your rent, asking for the landlord’s name and address.
Mention section 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 and the 21-day deadline.
Save the request and any reply — you’ll need the paper trail if you escalate.
No reply in 21 days? Contact the council’s tenancy relations or environmental health team.
What to do if the details are withheld
If your landlord ignores a written request, you have real options. Because failing to comply with a section 1 request is a criminal offence, your local council’s tenancy relations or environmental health team can intervene — they deal with harassment, illegal eviction and disclosure failures, and can pursue the landlord. You can also confirm the owner via HM Land Registry, and get free guidance from Citizens Advice or Shelter. If a letting agent is involved, they must belong to a redress scheme you can complain to.
One thing not to do: don’t stop paying rent to force the issue. Even where section 48 means rent isn’t currently ‘due’, it still accrues and becomes payable once the landlord complies — withholding it can simply leave you in arrears. Use the disclosure laws and the council instead.
Your data rights
Separately from the disclosure laws, the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 let you make a Subject Access Request (SAR) for the personal data your landlord or agent holds about you. They must respond within one calendar month (extendable for complex requests). If you spot errors, you can ask for them to be corrected, and you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if they don’t cooperate.
Frequently asked questions
What contact information must my landlord provide?
At minimum, their name and a UK address for serving notices (LTA 1987 s48), plus a name and address on any rent demand (s47). If you write and ask, they must give their name and address within 21 days (LTA 1985 s1). If an agent manages the property, you should have the agent’s details too.
How long does my landlord have to respond to a written request?
21 days from your written request under section 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Failing to comply without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence.
Can I stop paying rent if my landlord won’t give their details?
No, don’t withhold rent as a tactic. Although section 48 means rent isn’t lawfully ‘due’ until the landlord gives a UK address for notices, it still accrues and becomes payable once they comply. Use the disclosure laws and your council instead.
Can I find out who owns my rented home?
Yes. For a small fee you can buy the title register from HM Land Registry, which names the legal owner. Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords must also register on the PRS database.
Who do I complain to if my landlord withholds their details?
Your local council’s tenancy relations or environmental health team, since non-compliance is a criminal offence. Citizens Advice and Shelter offer free guidance, and if a letting agent is involved you can use their redress scheme.
Written by the Landlords Portal team — experienced UK landlords covering the private rented sector. This is general information, not legal advice; for a specific dispute, seek advice from Citizens Advice, Shelter or a solicitor.
