The Renters’ Rights Bill continues to make its way through parliament and is expected to become law by summer 2025.
The new legislation represents a massive shake-up to the private rented sector and has wide-ranging implications for landlords and tenants alike.
One of the most significant changes is the abolition of evictions under section 21 (no-fault evictions). The abolition of section 21 means that, in a matter of months, landlords will no longer be able to serve ‘no-fault’ notices to regain possession of their properties.
After the Renters’ Rights Bill is enacted, landlords must rely on section 8 notices to evict tenants and provide clear and expanded possession grounds to reclaim properties.
Solicitors for Section 21 Notices
Currently, landlords can use section 21 of the Housing Act 1998 to ask tenants to move out of a property without giving a reason (known as ‘no-fault evictions’).
Section 21 notices can only be served for assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), and landlords must give tenants at least two months’ notice of the intended eviction date.
No-fault evictions cannot be served during the first four months of a tenancy, must be in the correct format (form 6A) and delivered physically, unless otherwise agreed.
Evictions under section 21 are currently the most common way to end ASTs in England and Wales.
Solicitors for Section 8 Notices
Once the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, evictions under section 21 will be scrapped, and landlords will need to serve section 8 notices to regain possession of their properties.
Section 8 notices require landlords to provide a specific reason for the eviction, such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour or a breach of the tenancy agreement.
Notice periods vary, although for most grounds, it is either two weeks or two months.
Tenants can challenge a section 8 notice, in which case landlords will need to go to court to apply for a possession order.
Evictions made under section 8 are more time-consuming, expensive and complex, with court hearings often necessary.
Many fear that the court system will be unable to handle the increased number of possession claim cases, leading to delays and landlords losing rental income.
The added complexity involved in the eviction process is also likely to make landlords more cautious about tenant selection, as landlords will have to carry out more pre-contract research and rely upon guarantors more than they have in the past.
Tenant Eviction Solicitors Portsmouth
With time running out on no-fault evictions, landlords looking to reclaim possession of their properties are advised to act immediately to serve section 21 notices.
At Larcomes, our team of experienced tenant eviction solicitors offers specialist advice and guidance. We can guide you through the legal process for section 21 notices, ensuring it is legally compliant, and advise on the eviction process if necessary.
To speak with one of our specialist Tenant Eviction Solicitors in Portsmouth and Waterlooville, please call 023 9244 8100 or make an online enquiry.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will also:
- Abolish fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs). Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, alltenancies will become periodic.
- Limit rent increases. Landlords can only raise the rent once a year by serving a section 13 notice.
- Expand section 8 possession grounds. Due to the abolition of section 21, the government is adding and updating mandatory and discretionary grounds.
- Ban rental bidding wars. Landlords and agents will be forbidden from accepting offers above the advertised price.
- Introduce a new ombudsman. A new private rented sector ombudsman will provide quicker and cheaper dispute resolution services for landlords and tenants.
- Create a private rented sector database. This will contain information about landlords and properties.
- Apply the Decent Homes Standard. All rental properties will have to meet minimum quality standards.
- Prohibit discrimination. The Bill makes it illegal for landlords and agents to discriminate against prospective tenants in receipt of benefits or with children.
- Allow pets. Landlords must not ‘unreasonably refuse’ a request from a tenant to keep a pet.
Read more about the impact of the Renter’s Rights Bill in our previous blog by clicking here.
Solicitors for No-Fault Evictions
At Larcomes, our specialist and dedicated team of landlord and tenant solicitors in Portsmouth and Waterlooville can assist landlords across the UK with no-fault evictions.
With the Renters’ Rights Bill likely to come into force in the next few months, landlords wishing to serve a section 21 notice must act quickly.
Our experienced landlord and tenant solicitors can also help with section 8 eviction notices and advise on many other matters affecting landlords.
We advise both residential and commercial landlords on all areas of the law from offering initial landlord advice and assistance to handling successful court proceedings should a dispute arise.
To speak with one of our specialist Landlord and Tenant solicitors in Portsmouth and Waterlooville, please call on 023 9244 8100 or make an online enquiry.
Please note that this article is not intended to be legal or professional advice. It is for general guidance only, and updates to the law may have changed since it was published.
