<prompt> Human: Link to Part 1Link to Part 2Thanks again everyone for your great advice regarding the temporary disappearance of our property manager. Unfortunately the problems have not totally resolved themselves it seems, even after we made contact with him and learned of his illness.Our new issue is this: During the search for answers, we reached out to the owner of the condo unit via social media. We have never spoken to him before, but he was polite and responded promptly, and seemed to also be concerned about the situation. When we heard about our property managers illness we told the owner about it and he was relieved that we had heard from him. The property manager said he would cash our backlogged rent checks very soon. He had 3 months waiting to be cashed.But, the owner has continued the conversation with us via social media, saying that he has not heard from our property manager yet, nor has he received funds, and that he is changing to a new property manager. This seems legitimate, but all we have is a social media message saying so. He is also asking us to cancel our outstanding checks to the current manager, and send the money directly to him.This seems like a bad idea, and we are definitely not going to do this, but I wanted to get your thoughts on this. I want to make sure that we are protected for when he does change the lease over.What do we need in writing to signify the change to a new property manager mid-lease? We want to protect ourselves since it is apparent that the owner is not above asking us to ignore the legal implications of the lease in favor of him getting his money.EDIT: This is in Virginia.Assistant: This seems legitimate, but all we have is a social media message saying so. He is also asking us to cancel our outstanding checks to the current manager, and send the money directly to him. This seems like a bad idea, and we are definitely not going to do this, but I wanted to get your thoughts on this. I want to make sure that we are protected for when he does change the lease over.Get out your lease agreement and read what it says about payment of rent. Specifically, the method by which rent needs to be paid.Generally, a residential property manager is not the legal landlord on a lease. Since ultimately you are responsible for paying the legal landlord rent money, you may have to cancel your old checks and send payment to your landlord to fulfill your legal obligations.Property managers can change mid-lease in any rental agreement, as far as Im aware, What cant change are your legal rights and obligations with the landlord, because you have a signed contract. The landlord can hire and fire whoever they want to perform property management functions, but ultimately you are likely responsible for getting payment to the landlord regardless of whos managing the property.Also check your state tenant laws.Human: Ive got to say, I dont feel comfortable doing this, when all we have is his request via social media. He could be a totally different person, for all we know. The lease is between us and the landlord, yes, but it specifies the address to send payment within it. This is the address weve been sending payment to, and it would be my understanding that we need something in writing to signify a change. Is this not correct?  <response>: The lease is between us and the landlord, yes, but it specifies the address to send payment within it. This is the address weve been sending payment to, and it would be my understanding that we need something in writing to signify a change. Is this not correct?In that case, I think you are correct. Im not a lawyer.You can always ask the landlord to provide you with updated payment instructions in writing by US Mail.Depending on your state laws, you may also be able to ask your landlord in writing! for receipts from rent youve paid in the past. This is the case where I live WA. 