Hello mxitiup, and welcome to the forums.

Unless you can assume ownership and control of the previous domain name, you will have a big challenge -- in fact, I'd say a big bump in the road is inevitable.

If you can get control of the previous domain, then placing a 301 redirect there will, eventually, pass on PR and backlink influence. If you cannot gain that ownership, your best bet is to write to all your top quality backlinks and ask them to change their link to your new domain. In fact, this would be a good step to take even if you do manage to control the old domain name.

I agree. If you set up the 301 immediately, it will give some help; it would be a sound investment (if possible) to extend the 'old' domain for another year with the 301 in place.

If that is NOT possible, then try to transfer the the old site 'as is', with NO renaming, restructuring or internal navigation changes for several months (new content and new links are fine). Also, be sure to set up a Google site map at the new domain (every bit helps!).

The reason for avoiding change, is to maximise your chances of Google seeing the site as a continuation, rather than as 'new site', with all the risks ... that you are aware of!

But get the 301 up ASAP.

Good Luck :)

Thanks for your replies. We do have control of the old website for the next couple of months until it expires.

This website will be a static html pages only website. Can you tell me how to set up 301 redirect for an html website? (I don't know on what server the current website is hosted on, apache, iis?)

The exact technical method for setting up a 301 does depend on the kind of server you are using. Once you know that, there is plenty of information available here by using site search, or even using the libraries in the IIS and Apache forums. You also may want to call tech support at your web host.

Finally, is there a chance you may be able to prove your rights to the old domain to the registrar? That would certainly resolve a lot of problems for you.

I will check what server the website is hosted on.

I don't think we can prove the ownership, it was registered by this individual person, on his name. The new domain name will be owned by the organization.