Start with the county assessor's office
The fastest way to find a landlord's name is through your county assessor's office, which keeps records of who owns every property in the county. You do not need to be the tenant or owner—these records are public. Most county assessor offices now let you search online by address or parcel number on their website, and the results show the owner's name and often a mailing address.
If the online search does not work or you need help, call the assessor's office directly. They can tell you the owner's name over the phone in minutes. The assessor's office is different from the tax collector's office, though both exist in the same county building—ask for the assessor if you are transferred to the wrong department.
One limitation: the assessor's office shows who owns the property on the tax roll, which may be a company, trust, or LLC rather than the person who actually manages the building. If the owner is a business entity, you may need to take a second step to find the actual contact person.
Key Takeaways
- Your county assessor's office maintains public records of property ownership by address and can be searched online or by phone.
- The property record may list a company, trust, or LLC as the owner rather than an individual, so you may need to search that entity's registration separately.
- County clerk records and deed searches show the chain of ownership and can confirm who bought the property most recently.
- If the landlord is a business, your state's secretary of state office maintains a public database of registered companies and their agents.
- Your lease, rent receipt, or check stub usually shows where to send payment, which is often the landlord's address or their property manager's office.
Search the county clerk's deed records
The county clerk keeps copies of all property deeds—the legal documents that transfer ownership. A deed search shows you who bought the property most recently and when. This is useful if the assessor's record seems outdated or if you want to confirm the owner's identity.
Many county clerk offices have searchable online databases where you can look up deeds by address or owner name. If not, you can visit in person or call and ask a clerk to search for you. Deeds are free to view but may cost a few dollars to print or receive by mail.
A deed will show the buyer's name (the current owner) and often includes a mailing address. It may also list a lawyer or title company involved in the sale, and that company can sometimes provide contact information if the deed address is outdated.
Check your lease, rent receipt, or payment stub
The simplest source is often already in your hands. Your lease should list the landlord's name and address. If you pay rent by check, the stub or cancelled check shows where the payment goes. If you pay online or by automatic transfer, your bank statement or payment confirmation shows the recipient's name.
Rent receipts, if your landlord provides them, also show the owner's or property manager's name and contact information. If you have lost these documents, ask your landlord for a copy of the lease or a written receipt—they are required to provide them in most states.
This method does not always give you the legal owner's name if a property manager collects rent on the owner's behalf, but it does give you the person or company you should contact about repairs, lease questions, or disputes.
Look up the business entity if the owner is a company
If the assessor's office shows the owner as an LLC, corporation, or trust, you can find the registered agent (the person authorized to receive legal papers) through your state's secretary of state office. Every state maintains a public database of registered businesses, usually searchable by company name on the secretary of state's website.
The registered agent's name and address are public record. This person or office is legally required to accept documents on behalf of the company, so they can forward your concerns to the actual owner or manager. Some states also list a principal address or managing member's name in the business registration.
If the company name is vague (like "123 Main Street LLC"), the secretary of state database may also show when the company was formed and who filed the paperwork, which can lead you to a lawyer or accountant who knows the real owner.
Use online property databases
Several free and paid websites aggregate property records from county offices into searchable databases. Sites like Zillow, Trulia, and county-specific portals often show owner names alongside property details. These are convenient but sometimes lag behind the official county records by several months.
Free options include your county assessor's website (which you can reach through a straightforward web search for "[your county] assessor") and your county clerk's website. Paid services like LandAmerica or county-specific title search sites may charge a small fee but can be faster if you are searching multiple properties.
Be cautious with third-party sites that ask for payment to "reveal" owner information—the same information is free from the county. Stick to the official county websites or well-known real estate portals.
Ask your property manager or building staff
If you live in a multi-unit building, the property manager, superintendent, or front desk staff usually know the owner's name and how to reach them. They may not give out a personal phone number, but they can tell you the company name and address or forward a message on your behalf.
This is especially useful if the owner is a large company or investment firm that does not list a direct phone number. The on-site staff can also tell you whether the owner manages the building directly or through a third-party company, which affects who you should contact for different issues.
Request the information from your landlord directly
In many states, landlords are required by law to provide their name, address, and phone number in writing within a set time after you move in or upon request. Some states require this information to be posted in the building or included in the lease.
If your landlord has not provided this information, send a written request (email or certified mail) asking for their legal name, mailing address, and phone number. Keep a copy for your records. If they do not respond within the timeframe your state requires (usually 10 to 30 days), you may have grounds to withhold rent or file a complaint with your local housing authority.
This method is straightforward and legal, and it creates a paper trail if you later need to prove you made a good-faith effort to contact your landlord about a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the property is owned by someone out of state?
The county assessor's record will show their address regardless of where they live. If they own the property through a company registered in another state, search that state's secretary of state database using the company name. You can also contact your state's attorney general office if you need to serve legal papers on an out-of-state owner.
Can I find the landlord's information if the property is in a trust?
The assessor's record will show the trust name, but not the trustee's personal name unless it is part of the trust name. You can request the trustee's information from the county clerk (who may have a copy of the trust deed on file) or ask your landlord directly. Some states require landlords to disclose the trustee's identity to tenants.
What if the owner's address on the deed is old or wrong?
Use the most recent deed you can find—the county clerk can tell you which deed is the latest. If that address is still wrong, try the assessor's current mailing address or contact the title company that handled the most recent sale. You can also ask a neighbor or the property manager if they know where the owner receives mail.
Do I need a lawyer to find this information?
No. All property ownership records are public and free to search through the county assessor and clerk. You can do this yourself by visiting the county website, calling the office, or going in person. A lawyer is not needed unless you plan to file a lawsuit against the landlord.
What if the property is owned by a foreign investor?
The assessor's office will still have the owner's name and address on file, even if they live outside the United States. If the property is held through a U.S. company or trust, search that entity's registration in the secretary of state database. For legal service on a foreign owner, contact your state's attorney general office for guidance on proper procedures.