blog.cat.realestate5 min read9/8/2026

The Rented Apartment Was Sold: Can the New Owner Evict You or Raise the Rent?

The sale of a rented apartment does not invalidate the lease agreement and does not allow the new owner to immediately set a new price. However, an exit clause in the agreement, conflicting payment demands, and frequent buyer visits can turn the sale into a practical dispute.

Numbers and facts

•At least 90 days: termination notice by the landlord
•At least 60 days: termination notice by the tenant
•1971: year in which the Rental and Borrowing Law was enacted

The Agreement Stays with the Apartment

Under the Rental and Borrowing Law, 5731-1971, a person who acquires the landlord’s rights assumes the landlord’s position regarding the rights and obligations under the lease agreement, even if that person was unaware of them. Therefore, as a rule, an agreement for a fixed term continues until the date specified in it, and the buyer may not demand eviction merely because the buyer purchased the apartment. The rent, payment dates, and repair obligations are also not reset on the date of sale. A court hearing a dispute will primarily examine the wording of the agreement, the rental term, the exit clauses, and the notices provided.

A Sale Clause Is Not Always an Exit Ticket

Many agreements contain a clause allowing the landlord to terminate the lease if the apartment is sold, but its mere existence does not eliminate the need to examine its validity and wording. In a residential lease agreement to which the unilateral termination provisions apply, a right to terminate without breach granted to the landlord is valid only if the tenant was also granted a corresponding right. The landlord must give at least 90 days’ notice, while the tenant must generally give at least 60 days’ notice. If there is no valid clause, the agreement cannot be shortened merely because the buyer wants to move into the apartment.

A Rent Increase Requires a Contractual Basis

The new owner cannot raise the rent in the middle of the term merely because the owner paid a high price for the property. A change is possible if the agreement itself includes a clear adjustment mechanism, or if the tenant agrees to the change. As the agreement approaches its end, the owner may offer a new agreement at a different price, subject to any existing option and the provisions of the agreement. There is no need to sign a replacement agreement merely to change the landlord’s name, and sometimes a short document recording the transfer of rights is sufficient in practical terms.

Whom to Pay After the Sale

A new payment notice sent via WhatsApp, especially for an account that is not in the seller’s or buyer’s name, is not a sufficient basis for changing the transfer. The Rental and Borrowing Law requires written notices regarding the transfer of the landlord’s rights and contact details, so it is advisable to request an orderly notice from the seller and the buyer. It is also possible to request an updated registration extract or confirmation of rights, an identification document, and clear instructions regarding checks, standing orders, and security. No new security should be provided without documenting in writing what happens to the old security, so that two people are not left holding security for the same obligation.

Buyer Visits: Coordination, Not an Open Door

Selling the apartment does not turn it into a showroom and does not permit entry without coordination. It is necessary to check whether the agreement includes a clause allowing the apartment to be shown to buyers, at what times, and with how much advance notice. The Rental and Borrowing Law requires the landlord to act at a reasonable time, after advance notice, and while minimizing disruption to the tenant when permitted entry into the apartment is required. A practical solution is to schedule concentrated visiting windows in advance instead of dealing with demands for entry almost every day.

FAQ

Can the buyer demand that I vacate the apartment immediately?

Not merely because of the sale. The buyer must honor the rental term and the terms of the agreement, unless there is another ground for termination or a valid exit right that was lawfully exercised. Forced eviction is carried out through legal proceedings, not by changing the lock or disconnecting services.

Must a new agreement be signed with the new owner?

As a rule, no. The buyer assumes the landlord’s position under the existing agreement, so signing again is not a condition for continuing the tenancy. If a new document is proposed, it is important to compare it with the existing agreement and verify that the price, rental term, option, or security have not been changed.

What should be done if both the seller and the buyer demand the rent?

Do not disregard the payment, and do not choose a side based solely on a telephone conversation. Ask both parties for written notice, proof of the transfer of rights, and matching payment instructions. If a contradiction remains unresolved, it is advisable to obtain specific legal clarification before the payment date.

Is it permissible to refuse entry to a real estate agent and buyers?

The owner does not have an unlimited right to enter a rented apartment. If the agreement regulates showing the apartment, the stipulated conditions must be followed with reasonable coordination; if it does not regulate the matter, the parties must agree on times. Entry without notice or contrary to the tenant’s objection may give rise to a dispute concerning interference with the use of the apartment.

Can the new owner raise the rent when the agreement is renewed?

At the end of the term, the owner can propose a new price, unless an existing option predetermines the renewal terms or the pricing mechanism. There is no automatic increase during the existing term as a result of the sale. It is also necessary to check who may exercise the option and when.

What to do next

Keep the agreement, sale notices, and payment records, and ask the seller and buyer for a coordinated written notice regarding the transfer of rights. Before changing the payment account or replacing security, verify who the owner is and what is being done with the old documents. If you receive an eviction demand or rent increase, first check the agreement’s provisions regarding the term, option, and termination.