A repair telephone number and an address for serving formal notices do different jobs. When reviewing tenancy records in England, check that the formal address has been supplied and that correspondence sent there will reach the right person.
The section 48 requirement
Shelter’s legal guidance explains that the landlord must provide an address in England or Wales where the tenant can serve notices. It also explains that, where this requirement has not been met, rent or service charges are treated as not due until compliance. Once the address is supplied, the unpaid sums become payable; this is not a permanent cancellation of the debt.
A tenant considering withholding money should obtain advice on their circumstances and keep the funds available. Landlords should resolve missing information promptly rather than assume that an informal contact method is enough.
Keep different duties separate
The rules for an address for service are distinct from requirements governing the landlord’s identity on written payment demands. An agent’s contact details should not be assumed to satisfy every information duty. Ask a housing adviser or solicitor to review unclear paperwork.
Check the handover record
When ownership or management changes, compare the old agreement, any subsequent notices and the arrangements for receiving correspondence. Keep dated copies of what was provided and how it was delivered. Give the tenant a clear route for routine repairs as well, so an urgent maintenance report is not lost in an administrative handover.
This is an England-focused overview. Different housing regimes elsewhere in the UK need their own checks.
Editorial review: 14 October 2026. This original Property Perpetuity guide replaces the imported text; the original archive publication date is retained.