Transitioning tenant – Is the AST affected?

Transitioning tenant – Is the AST affected?

0:05 AM, 15th September 2023, About A year ago 4

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This is a first for me so looking for some advice please! A tenant has contacted me to say they have put in all the paperwork to legally change their name. They are also undergoing transitioning from female to male.

She/he asked me how this would effect their tenancy (in terms of the docuementation side). I had to be honest and said I had not a clue!

Has anyone come across this before?

Do I have to serve another AST in their new name and then all the other standard stuff?

The tenancy is not coming to an end and it is past the initial 6 months. He/she does not want to end the tenancy and neither do I so is there a straightforward plan of what needs to be done just to reflect this change?

Thanks,

Reluctant Landlord


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Graham Bowcock

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11:32 AM, 15th September 2023, About A year ago

Firtsly, you do not have to change the tenancy. In many wyas it's no different than when a tenant marries and changes their name.

What I would suggest, however, is that if the tenant gives you some documentation that you acknowledge this and save it safely. That way any references to the tenant's new name can be justified.

When it comes to serving notices I would serve on the new name, but also reference the name in which the tenancy was granted. I have done this on occasions when a tenant has changed their name, for whatever reason

I must add that I have not experienced any tenant transitioning so am not aware of any specific laws that may affect this actual scenario; I am merely looking at it from the point of view of housing law.

DPT

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12:26 PM, 15th September 2023, About A year ago

In any legal tenancy notices you just use (new name) formerly known as (old name)

Reluctant Landlord

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14:58 PM, 15th September 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by Graham Bowcock at 15/09/2023 - 11:32
Thanks Graham. I was thinking the same - that if the tenant confirms by email what they now wish to be known as, then as long as this is understood and acknowledged by all parties that there is no need to change anything else in terms of what is required to the AST etc as it is the same person, just known by a different name.
I will ask the tenant to semd me something to that effect. Thanks

Sue Steel

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17:37 PM, 15th September 2023, About A year ago

This happened with one of out tenants earlier this year. We were provided with a copy of the name change document. I also notified TDS who hold our deposits and there was no problem with them either.

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