Section 158 Secure and assured tenancies: transfer of tenancyI1I2C1
This section applies if the tenants (“the relevant tenants”) under two or more tenancies of dwelling-houses in England (“the existing tenancies”) make a request in writing to the landlord under each existing tenancy asking the landlord to—
permit the relevant tenant or tenants under the existing tenancy to surrender it, and
grant a new tenancy of the dwelling-house let under the tenancy to another relevant tenant or other relevant tenants.
The landlord must comply with the request if the following conditions are met.
The first condition is that at least one of the existing tenancies is—
a secure tenancy that is not a flexible tenancy, or
an assured tenancy—
F1which is not an assured shorthold tenancy, and
under which the landlord is the Regulator of Social Housing, a private registered provider of social housing or a housing trust which is a charity.
The second condition is that at least one of the existing tenancies is—
a secure tenancy that is a flexible tenancy, F2or
an assured shorthold tenancy under which the landlord is the Regulator of Social Housing, a private registered provider of social housing or a housing trust which is a charity.
The third condition is that the remaining existing tenancies (if any) fall within subsection (3) or (4).
The fourth condition is that at least one of the existing tenancies to which subsection (3) applies was granted before the day on which this section came into force.
The fifth condition is that none of the landlords under the existing tenancies has refused to comply with the request (and see further section 159).
Subsection (9) applies where a relevant tenant's existing tenancy is—
a secure tenancy that is not a flexible tenancy, or
an assured tenancy F3that is not an assured shorthold tenancy.
The new tenancy granted to the relevant tenant pursuant to this section must be—
a secure tenancy that is not a flexible tenancy, or
an assured tenancy F4that is not an assured shorthold tenancy,
according to the landlord's capacity to grant a tenancy of either kind.
The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that this section does not apply in relation to an assured F5shorthold tenancy of a kind specified in the regulations.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
S. 158(3)(b)(i) omitted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by virtue of Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), s. 145(1)(8), Sch. 2 para. 72(c)(i) (with ss. 138, 146(1), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(c)
- F2
S. 158(4)(b) and word omitted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by virtue of Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), s. 145(1)(8), Sch. 2 para. 72(c)(ii) (with ss. 138, 146(1), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(c)
- F3
Words in s. 158(8)(b) omitted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by virtue of Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), s. 145(1)(8), Sch. 2 para. 72(c)(iii) (with ss. 138, 146(1), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(c)
- F4
Words in s. 158(9)(b) omitted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by virtue of Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), s. 145(1)(8), Sch. 2 para. 72(c)(iv) (with ss. 138, 146(1), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(c)
- F5
Word in s. 158(10) omitted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by virtue of Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), s. 145(1)(8), Sch. 2 para. 72(c)(v) (with ss. 138, 146(1), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(c)
Modifications
- C1
S. 158 excluded (E.) (1.4.2012) by The Transfer of Tenancies and Right to Acquire (Exclusion) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/696), regs. 1(1), 3
Commencement
- I1
S. 158 in force at 15.1.2012 for specified purposes by S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(q) (with arts. 6, 7, arts. 9-11)
- I2
S. 158 in force at 1.4.2012 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(a) (with arts. 9, 11, 14, 15, 17)