Okla. Stat. tit. 41 § 119
Conveyance of Property - Attornment of Tenant
Operative Text
A. A conveyance of real estate, or of any interest therein, by a landlord shall be valid without the attornment of the tenant, but the payment of rent by the tenant to the grantor at any time before written notice of the conveyance is given to the tenant shall be good against the grantee. B. The attornment of a tenant to a stranger shall be void, and shall not affect the possession of the landlord unless it is made with the consent of the landlord, or pursuant to a judgment at law, or the order or decree of a court. C. Unless otherwise agreed and except as otherwise provided in this act, upon termination of the owner's interest in the dwelling unit including, but not limited to, terminations of interest by sale, assignment, death, bankruptcy, appointment of a receiver or otherwise, the owner is relieved of all liability under the rental agreement and of all obligations under this act as to events occurring subsequent to written notice to the resident of the termination of the owner's interest. The successor in interest to the owner shall be liable for all obligations under the rental agreement or under this act. Upon receipt by a resident of written notice of the termination of the owner's interest in the dwelling unit, a resident shall pay all future rental payments, when due, to the successor in interest to the owner. D. Unless otherwise agreed and except as otherwise provided in this act, a manager of premises that includes a dwelling unit is relieved of liability under a rental agreement and this act as to events occurring after written notice to the tenant of the termination of his management.
Oklahoma law under 41 O.S. § 119 governs what happens to a tenancy when rental property changes hands or management. A landlord can transfer ownership of property without needing the tenant's formal agreement (attornment), though rent paid to the old owner before the tenant receives written notice of the sale is still considered valid. Once a tenant receives written notice that ownership has transferred, future rent must be directed to the new owner, who assumes all obligations under the rental agreement; the prior owner is released from liability for events occurring after that notice. Similarly, a property manager who gives written notice of the end of their management role is relieved of further obligations under the rental agreement from that point forward.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 41 O.S. § 119, property owners and managers who sell, transfer, or otherwise end their interest in a rental property generally protect themselves from ongoing liability by providing written notice of the change to the tenant. Compliant operators ensure that written notice is delivered promptly so that the effective date of the ownership or management transition is clearly established. New owners or successors in interest should be aware that they inherit all obligations under the existing rental agreement and applicable Oklahoma law from the moment of transfer, making a thorough review of existing lease terms an important part of any acquisition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 41 O.S. § 119, tenants have the right to continue paying rent to the original landlord without penalty until they receive written notice that ownership of the property has changed. Once written notice of a new owner or successor in interest is received, rent payments are legally due to that new party, and the new owner takes on all responsibilities under the existing rental agreement. Tenants who believe a property transfer has affected their rights or obligations may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with Oklahoma landlord-tenant law to understand their options.
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 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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