29 April 2026
From 1 May 2026, Section 21 “no-fault” evictions will be abolished, marking a significant change for landlords and tenants across England.
Section 21 notices, introduced under the Housing Act 1988, have allowed landlords to regain possession of their property without needing to provide a reason, provided the correct process is followed. From 1 May 2026, this route will no longer be available.
The change sits within the wider Renters’ Right Act, which is aimed at strengthening tenant protections while ensuring landlords can still recover possession where there is a legitimate reason, such as selling the property or moving back in.
In practical terms, landlords will now need to rely on Section 8 notices and the statutory grounds for possession. This means providing evidence to support the reason for eviction, rather than ending a tenancy by way of a unilateral decision.
For tenants, the reform is intended to provide greater stability and reduce the risk of sudden or unexpected eviction. For landlords, it introduces a more structured and, in some cases, more time-consuming process.
With the new regime coming into force this week, now is the time for landlords and letting agents to review their existing arrangements and understand how the changes will affect them