An attornment letter is a legal document used in the context of a change in ownership or control of a property, such as when a property is sold, transferred, or foreclosed upon. It is a means to establish a direct relationship between a tenant and a new landlord or owner, and it ensures that the tenant recognizes and agrees to the new landlord's authority and rights over the property. Attornment letters may be used for various reasons, including: 1. Sale of Property: In the event of a property sale, the attornment letter informs the tenant about the change of ownership and establishes a new landlord-tenant relationship. It outlines the tenant's rights and responsibilities going forward, including rent payment instructions, property maintenance expectations, and any other terms and conditions. 2. Assignment of Leases: When a property owner assigns their leases to a new owner, an attornment letter is used to notify the tenant that their lease agreement is now assigned to a different person or entity. It ensures that the tenant acknowledges the new owner as their landlord and continues fulfilling their obligations under the lease. 3. Foreclosure: In foreclosure situations, an attornment letter is issued by the new owner (often a lending institution or a purchaser) to the tenants of the property, acknowledging their tenancy and requesting rent payments to be made directly to the new owner, thereby bypassing the previous owner who defaulted on their mortgage. This type of attornment letter protects the rights of the new owner and maintains continuity in the landlord-tenant relationship. 4. Subordination and Attornment Agreements: These agreements are commonly used in commercial real estate transactions where a tenant agrees to subordinate their lease agreement to a mortgage lien held by the landlord's lender. The attornment portion of the agreement confirms that the tenant recognizes the lender as their new landlord in case of default by the property owner. 5. Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions: In situations where a corporation acquires another corporation that owns property with existing tenants, an attornment letter is issued to those tenants. It informs them about the change in ownership and management of the property, establishing the new corporation as the landlord and ensuring the continued operation of the lease agreements. It is important to note that there are various templates available for attornment letters, and the specific content may vary depending on the circumstances of the change of ownership or control. However, an attornment letter typically includes information such as: — Details of the previous and new landlord/owner — Property address anunnumberedbe— - Tenant's full name and contact information — Reference to the existing lease agreement (if applicable) — Effective date of the change in ownership or control — Confirmation of the tenant's continued tenancy and agreement to recognize the new landlord/owner — Rent payment instructions and any changes to payment methods or locations — Maintenance and repair responsibilities — Contact information for any queries or concerns — Any additional terms and conditions specific to the situation By using an attornment letter sample that matches the reason or scenario for which it is being created, landlords and tenants can ensure a smooth transition and maintain a clear understanding of their respective rights and obligations.