Cal. Civ. Code § 441.140
Grants of rents good without attornment of tenants
Operative Text
Grants of rents, or of lands, tenements, estates, lease terms, reversions or remainders pursuant to section 441.130 or section 535.070 shall be good and shall be effective without the consent of the tenants; unless otherwise stated in the lease; but no tenant, who, before notice of the grant, pays the rent to the grantor, shall suffer any damage for such payment.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.140, when a landlord transfers ownership of rented property—or assigns rents, reversions, or similar interests—that transfer is legally valid and binding without requiring the tenant's agreement or consent, unless the lease specifically says otherwise. A tenant who pays rent to the original landlord before receiving notice of the transfer is protected from any penalty or liability for having done so. In short, the rule separates the validity of the ownership transfer from the tenant's payment obligations during the transition period.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.140, a property owner or manager who sells, assigns, or otherwise transfers rental income rights or the underlying property interest does not need tenant approval for that transfer to be legally effective—unless the lease contains a clause requiring such consent. Compliant operators typically provide timely written notice to tenants identifying the new party to whom rent should be paid, so that the transition is clear and tenants are not left paying the wrong party. Reviewing existing lease language for any consent or assignment provisions before completing a transfer is a standard part of due diligence under this statute.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 441.140 provides tenants with an important protection: if you pay rent to your original landlord before you receive any notice that the property or rent rights have been transferred to a new owner, you cannot be penalized or held liable for that payment. Once you do receive notice of a transfer, rent should generally be directed to the newly identified party going forward. Tenants who have questions about whether proper notice was given or how a transfer affects their lease may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Missouri landlord-tenant law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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