Change your email directly with your landlord or property manager

The fastest way to update your email is to contact your landlord, property manager, or the management company that handles your building. Call the office number on your lease or rent payment stub, or email the address you have on file and ask to update your contact information. They will change it in their system and send you confirmation to your new email address.

If you live in a large apartment complex or managed building, the leasing office can usually make this change the same day. If you rent from an individual landlord, they may take a few days to respond. Either way, ask them to confirm the change in writing so you have proof of your new email on file.

Keep your old email active for at least a week after the change, because your landlord may send the confirmation to the old address first, or you may need to retrieve old messages about rent, maintenance requests, or lease terms.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your landlord or property manager directly by phone or email to request an email address change.
  • Ask for written confirmation that your new email is now on file with them.
  • Keep your old email active for at least a week in case messages arrive there or you need to retrieve past communications.
  • If you have an active housing subsidy, housing choice voucher, or public housing lease, also notify your local housing authority of the change.
  • Update your email with any third-party services you use, such as rent payment platforms, maintenance request apps, or tenant portals.

Update your email with your housing authority if you receive a subsidy

If you receive housing choice voucher assistance (Section 8), live in public housing, or receive emergency rental assistance, you must also notify your local housing authority of your email change. The housing authority keeps its own records separate from your landlord's records, and they use your email to send lease violations, inspection notices, or subsidy payment updates.

Contact your housing authority's tenant services office by phone or visit in person. Bring a photo ID and ask to update your contact information. Some housing authorities allow email changes online through a tenant portal — check your most recent letter from them to see if a portal login is available.

Write down the date you made the change and the name of the person who confirmed it. Housing authorities process changes slowly, so follow up in writing (email or letter) within a week to make sure the change took effect.

Change your email on rent payment platforms and tenant portals

If you pay rent through an online platform — such as Apartments.com, Zillow, PayLease, or your landlord's custom portal — log in and update your email in the account settings. Most platforms let you change this yourself without contacting anyone.

If you use a maintenance request app or tenant communication tool (common in larger buildings), update your email there as well. These systems often send urgent notices about water leaks, heating failures, or safety issues, so keeping your email current is important for your safety and your right to timely repairs.

If you cannot access the portal or do not remember your login, contact your landlord's office and ask them to reset your account or update the email on file. Do not create a new account with the same email address — this can create duplicate records and cause payment or notice problems.

Notify utilities and services connected to your housing

If you pay utilities directly (water, gas, electric, internet), update your email with each provider. Most utilities send billing notices, outage alerts, and payment reminders by email, and an outdated address means you might miss a disconnection notice.

Update your email with any homeowners association if you live in a condo or planned community. HOAs send notices about assessments, maintenance requirements, and rule violations by email, and missing these notices can result in fines or liens on your property.

What to do if your landlord will not update your email

If your landlord refuses to change your email or does not respond to your request, send a written request by certified mail or email (with read receipt enabled). Keep a copy for your records. This creates a paper trail showing you tried to update your contact information.

If your landlord continues to ignore the request, you can file a complaint with your local housing authority or tenant rights organization. Some jurisdictions require landlords to maintain accurate tenant contact information, and failure to do so can affect your right to receive proper notice of lease violations or eviction proceedings.

In the meantime, check your old email regularly or set up forwarding to your new address so you do not miss important notices about your housing.

Changing your email when you move to a new place

When you sign a new lease, provide your current email address on the lease document itself. This is your chance to start fresh with correct contact information. Many lease disputes arise because tenants never received notices — having the right email on the lease from day one prevents this problem.

After you move, update your email with your new landlord or property manager using the same process described above. Also update it with your new local housing authority if you are transferring a subsidy to a new unit or building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my email affect my lease or my rent payment?

No. Your email is contact information only. Changing it does not change the terms of your lease, your rent amount, or your payment schedule. It only changes how your landlord reaches you with notices and communications.

What if I change my email but my landlord keeps sending notices to the old one?

Follow up in writing with your landlord and ask them to confirm the change again. If they continue to use the old email after you have requested a change, document this and keep copies of your requests. If a legal notice (like an eviction notice) is sent to the wrong email, you may have grounds to challenge it in court.

Do I need to change my email if I am just updating my phone number?

No, these are separate pieces of contact information. You can update your phone number without changing your email, and vice versa. However, it is a good idea to keep both current so your landlord can reach you by the method that works best for you.

Can I change my email if I am behind on rent or in an eviction case?

Yes. Changing your email does not affect any legal proceedings or payment obligations. However, if you are in an eviction case, make sure your landlord and the court have your correct email so you receive all notices about court dates and deadlines.

What happens if I change my email and forget to tell my housing authority?

Your housing authority will continue to send notices to your old email. If those notices are important (like inspection dates or subsidy changes), you might miss them. Update your housing authority as soon as possible to avoid missing critical deadlines.