Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 is a legal provision that allows landlords in England and Wales to evict tenants without a specific reason, provided that they have given the tenant two months’ notice. This is commonly known as a “no-fault” eviction, as the landlord does not have to prove that the tenant has done anything wrong. However, recent rule changes have altered the way Section 21 affects landlords in the UK.

In June 2019, the UK government announced plans to abolish Section 21, as part of a wider effort to improve tenant rights and security. This move was seen as a significant shift in the balance of power between landlords and tenants, and has generated much debate within the property industry.

Under the new rules, landlords are no longer able to issue Section 21 notices unless they have a specific reason for wanting to evict their tenants. This is known as a “Section 8” eviction, and requires the landlord to demonstrate that the tenant has breached the terms of their tenancy agreement in some way.

The reasons for a Section 8 eviction can include:

• Rent arrears
• Damage to the property
• Anti-social behaviour
• Breach of tenancy agreement terms
• Landlord wanting to move back into the property

This change in the law has significant implications for landlords in the UK. Some landlords have expressed concern that the new rules will make it more difficult for them to regain possession of their properties, particularly if tenants are not willing to leave voluntarily.

However, supporters of the changes argue that they will improve tenant rights and reduce the number of “revenge evictions” that occur when tenants complain about poor conditions or request repairs to the property.

For landlords, it is important to be aware of the new rules and to ensure that they are complying with all aspects of the law. Landlords should make sure that they have a thorough tenancy agreement in place, which sets out the terms and conditions of the tenancy, and should also keep accurate records of rent payments and other important information.

Landlords should also ensure that they are providing their tenants with a safe and well-maintained property, and should respond promptly to any requests for repairs or maintenance.

In conclusion, the recent rule changes around Section 21 have significant implications for landlords in the UK. While some landlords may be concerned about the impact on their ability to regain possession of their properties, the changes are aimed at improving tenant rights and reducing the number of “revenge evictions”. It is important for landlords to be aware of the new rules and to ensure that they are complying with all aspects of the law.