Cal. Civ. Code § 250.104
Rights of Persons Acquiring Title by Descent or Purchase
Operative Text
Any person who acquires title to real property by descent or purchase shall be liable to the same duties and shall have the same rights, powers and remedies in relation to the property as the person from whom title was acquired.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.104, when ownership of real property changes hands—whether through inheritance (descent) or a sale (purchase)—the new owner steps into the legal shoes of the prior owner. This means the new owner inherits both the obligations and the entitlements that the previous owner held with respect to that property, including any landlord-tenant relationships already in place. The rule ensures continuity: existing duties and rights tied to the property transfer along with the title itself.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.104, a landlord who acquires property by purchase or inheritance generally assumes all the duties the prior owner owed to tenants, such as maintaining the property and honoring existing lease terms. At the same time, the new owner also inherits the prior owner's rights and remedies, including the ability to collect rent and pursue lease enforcement. Compliant operators typically review all existing leases and tenant agreements at the time of acquisition to understand the full scope of obligations and entitlements they are taking on.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 68 P.S. § 250.104, tenants have the right to expect that a change in property ownership does not extinguish the duties the prior landlord owed them—the new owner is bound by the same obligations. This means an existing lease and its protections generally remain in effect after a sale or inheritance of the property. Tenants who believe a new owner is failing to honor obligations inherited under this provision may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or exploring available legal remedies in their jurisdiction.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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