Old Business Still Showing at My Address on Google Maps — How to Remove a Previous Tenant's Listing

Quick answer: If a previous business still appears at your new shop's address, open its listing on Google Maps, choose Suggest an edit → Close or remove → Permanently closed (or "Moved to a new location" if you know where it moved), and add a photo of your storefront showing your signboard. Then create and verify your own profile at the same address — Google allows multiple businesses at one address over time. If the old listing doesn't change, ask the previous owner to mark it closed, or contact Google Business Profile support with your rent agreement and signboard photos. Never edit the old listing's name to your business name — that can merge histories and cause problems.

When you rent a shop, clinic or office, the previous tenant's Google listing often stays behind. Customers searching your address see the old name, call the old number, read irrelevant reviews and may think you're the old business. It's frustrating, but fixable.

Why the old listing stays

Google keeps listings until someone marks them closed or Google detects the business no longer operates. Previous tenants rarely update their profiles when they leave. If the old business moved elsewhere, they may have created a new profile without closing the old one.

Step 1: suggest the old listing is closed

1. Open the old listing on Google Maps.
2. Tap Suggest an edit.
3. Choose Close or remove.
4. Select Permanently closed, or Moved to a new location if applicable.
5. Submit. Adding a photo of your shop with your signboard helps.

Ask a few customers or staff to also suggest the closure from their accounts — independent signals help, but don't spam or use fake accounts.

Step 2: create and verify your own profile

Create your profile at the same address with your real business name (add business to Google Maps). Verification — often by video — should show your signboard, interior and proof of operation (video verification checklist). Google allows a new business at an address previously used by another.

Step 3: if Google says "this business already exists"

Sometimes Google suggests claiming the old listing when you create a new one. Don't claim the old business and rename it to yours — this merges unrelated reviews, photos and history with your business, which misleads customers and can trigger a suspension. Instead, choose to create a new, separate profile (claim this business problems).

Step 4: contact the previous owner

If you know the previous tenant, ask them to mark their profile closed or update their address to their new location. Landlords can often help connect you.

Step 5: contact Google support

If the old listing stays, contact Google Business Profile support through the Help Centre. Explain that you are the current occupant, the old business left on a certain date and you need the listing marked closed. Provide:

• Rent or lease agreement with your business name
• Photos of your signboard and storefront
• Shop and establishment registration, GST or Udyam certificate with the address (GST and Udyam on Google)

Same category problems

If the old business had the same category — for example, a clinic replacing a clinic — Google may filter one of the two listings (why businesses get filtered). Closing the old listing removes the conflict.

Old phone number calls

The old listing's phone number may now belong to someone else. Customers calling it get frustrated and may blame you. Mention your number clearly on your signboard and profile.

Example: a pharmacy in Lucknow

A pharmacist rented a shop that previously housed a mobile store. Google Maps still showed the mobile store with 90 reviews. He suggested "Permanently closed" with a signboard photo and created his own pharmacy profile. The old listing was marked closed within two weeks, and his profile took its place in local searches.

Example: a clinic replacing a clinic

A dentist took over a space previously used by another dentist, who moved elsewhere but never updated the old listing. Patients kept calling the wrong number. After the new dentist contacted the previous one, the old profile's address was updated to the new location, and the new clinic was verified separately.

Checklist

• Suggest old listing closed or moved
• Add storefront photo with signboard
• Create and verify your own profile
• Don't rename the old listing
• Contact previous owner
• Contact Google support with documents

Key takeaways

• Mark old listings closed; don't hijack them.
• Create your own profile and verify with clear proof.
• Documents and photos help support resolve stubborn cases.

Sources and further reading

• Google Maps Help — suggest an edit or report a closed place: support.google.com/maps
• Google Business Profile Help — guidelines for representing your business: support.google.com/business

Frequently asked questions

Can two businesses use the same address on Google?

Yes, over time, and sometimes at the same time if both genuinely operate there (multiple businesses at one address).

Can I take over the old listing's reviews?

No — those reviews belong to the previous business.

How long does closing take?

Days to weeks; support may be needed for stubborn cases.

What if the old listing is verified by the previous owner?

Suggest edits and contact support; ask the owner to update it.

Will the old listing hurt my ranking?

It may cause filtering or confusion until closed.

Should I mention the previous business in my description?

No need; focus on your own business.

Should I tell customers the previous shop has closed?

A small note on your signboard or a Google post such as "New management — formerly XYZ" can help if many customers still search the old name, but keep your own business name unchanged on Google.

The old business moved nearby — what should I suggest?

Choose "Moved to a new location" and, if Google asks, select their new listing so customers are redirected correctly.