If you have received a section 21 notice:
You will not have to leave your home immediately. Check that the order is valid, remembering that section 21 notices can only be given if you have an assured shorthold tenancy (most private renters have this type of tenancy).
You cannot be given a section 21 notice within the first 4 months of your tenancy and your landlord must have given sufficient notice. If you received the section 21 notice on or after 29 August 2020, you are entitled to 6 months’ notice before the date your landlord wants you to leave your home. If your landlord has not given sufficient notice, they will need to issue a new section 21 notice.
If there are mistakes on the section 21 notice, such as your name being spelt incorrectly, it may not be valid. There are other reasons why a section 21 form may not be valid. You should speak to an adviser about your situation.
Be aware that your landlord does not need a reason to give you a section 21 notice. For example, they may want to move into the property themselves or sell the property. If you do not have anywhere else to live, do not leave your home before the date on your section 21 notice. Speak to your local council if you have received a section 21 notice and need help finding somewhere to stay. If the section 21 notice is not valid, or you have a good reason why you should not have to leave your home, you may be able to challenge your eviction.
If you have received a section 8 notice:
You will not have to leave your home immediately. Check that the order is valid; section 8 notices can only be given if you have an assured shorthold tenancy. Most private renters have this type of tenancy.
The section 8 notice should include:
- Your name
- The address of the property
- The grounds for possession (the reason your landlord wants you to leave your home)
- The date the notice ends
The section 8 notice should explain the reasons (grounds) your landlord is trying to evict you. The grounds for eviction are numbered 1-17. Your landlord may try to rely on one or more grounds for eviction. Seek advice if you need help understanding the grounds for eviction. There are several reasons a landlord may give you a section 8 notice, and this can happen at any time during your tenancy. Common reasons include if you have rent arrears, have damaged your landlord’s property, or caused a nuisance to your neighbours. Rent arrears are the most common reason for a section 8 notice.
Normally you will get at least 14 days’ notice to leave your home. If you received your notice on or after 29 August 2020, the minimum notice will be longer – 6 months for most grounds of eviction. Ground 14 has no minimum notice period. If you do not have anywhere else to live, do not leave your home before the date on your section 8 notice, instead, you should speak to your local council if you have received a section 21 notice and need help finding somewhere to stay. If the section 8 notice is not valid, or you have a good reason why you should not have to leave your home, you may be able to challenge your eviction.
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