Eviction notices from private landlords

As a private tenant, you’re likely to get one of two eviction notices:

• Section 21 notice: This is also known as a no-fault eviction because landlords don’t need a reason to send one. This type of eviction is due to be banned by summer 2025.
• Section 8 notice: This notice can be served if you’ve broken the terms of your tenancy agreement e.g. not paying your rent or damaging the property.

Landlords can send an eviction notice for various reasons, including if:

• you fall behind with your rent
• you break any of the terms of your tenancy agreement
• you damage the property
• you take part in antisocial behaviour
• they want to sell the property
• they want to move into the property

For an eviction notice to be valid, it must:

• be in writing and clearly state that the landlord is seeking possession of the property
• provide the correct amount of notice based on the type of tenancy agreement and the grounds for eviction
• be served properly, either by hand, first-class post or leaving it at the property
• include your name and address (spelt correctly)

If you think your eviction notice is invalid, get legal advice as soon as possible. Organisations like Shelter can help.

You may be able to challenge an eviction notice if it’s invalid or unfair. There are a number of ways you might be able to do this:

• Speak to your landlord to try to resolve the issue directly.

• Contact a housing advice service or solicitor for help.
• If the eviction goes to court, you may be able to present a defence and argue your case before a judge.

If you can’t resolve the issue with your landlord and they proceed with the eviction, you may have to go to court.

During the court hearing, the judge will assess the evidence presented by both parties and make a decision.

If the court rules in favour of your landlord, it will issue a possession order, giving your landlord the right to evict you from the property. The possession order will give a deadline by which you must leave the property.