Section 22: Right of landlord to object to acquirer of tenancy
74.This section extends the provisions of section 12 of the 1991 Act to SLDTs and LDTs. Its effect is to oblige the person assuming the deceased tenant’s interest in the lease to notify the landlord within 21 days of the transfer taking place, or if that is not possible, as soon as it is practicable - subsection (1).
75.Subsection (2) applies the provisions of section 12(2) to (4) of the 1991 Act to SLDTs and LDTs. Its effects are to enable the landlord to serve a counter-notice to the new tenant and apply to the Land Court for an order terminating the tenancy. The succeeding tenant retains possession of the land unless and until the Land Court agrees to a landlord’s application to terminate the tenancy.
76.Subsection (3) allows the landlord to acquire a deceased tenant’s interest in a tenancy when the executor intends to assign the interest outwith the family (this right does not extend to transfers to members of the family who, by virtue of new section 16(4B)(a) of the 1964 Act, are entitled to succeed to the deceased’s intestate rights or claim legal rights or the prior rights of the surviving spouse). To do so, the landlord must give notice in writing and within 30 days of receiving notice under subsection (1). The landlord must also match or exceed any reasonable terms upon which the lease was transferred to the person outwith the family.
