Section 21 Abolished: What Landlords Need to Know

Section 21 Abolished: What Landlords Need to Know

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions. Landlords in England can no longer end a tenancy simply because they want the property back. Every eviction now requires a specific legal ground.

What Has Replaced It

All residential tenancies in England have now become periodic tenancies. A landlord can only end a tenancy by serving a valid Section 8 notice citing one of the statutory grounds for possession.

The Section 8 Grounds

The most commonly used mandatory grounds now include Ground 8 (rent arrears of at least two months at the date of notice and at the date of hearing), Ground 1 (the landlord intends to occupy the property as their principal home), Ground 1A (the landlord intends to sell the property, a new ground introduced by the Act), and Ground 14 (nuisance, annoyance, or illegal activity, which is discretionary).

What to Do Before Serving a Notice

Before serving a Section 8 notice, make sure you have protected the deposit and provided prescribed information, provided the tenant with a valid EPC, gas safety certificate, and How to Rent guide, the property is licensed if required, and you have complied with any relevant selective licensing conditions. Failing on any of these points can prevent the court from granting possession.

This article provides general legal information only. It is not formal legal advice and does not create a solicitor-client or barrister-client relationship. If you need advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified legal professional.