Eviction rights explained as notice periods for tenants is slashed
Eviction notice periods are being reduced as notice periods return to pre-pandemic levels. We explain what this means and your rights if you’ve been asked to leave your home.
Eviction notices are being slashed as temporary measures in place to protect tenants return to pre-pandemic levels.
Extra support was put in place during the Covid crisis to stop vulnerable renters being kicked out their home.
At the height of the protections, landlords were instructed to give tenants six months’ notice if they wanted to evict them.
This was reduced to four months’ notice from June this year.
But as of 1st October this period has gone back down to two months – the same as it was before Covid – for landlords giving a Section 21 notice.
You can be asked to leave in just two weeks with a Section 8 notice.
Your rights if you face eviction
Landlords still have to play by the rules when it comes to evictions, despite Covid measures being lifted.
This means notice periods must be given and if courts find against you, bailiffs have to give you a notice period too.
How long you have depends on the reason the landlord has given to evict.
What are Section 21 and Section 8 notices?
Both a Section 21 and Section 8 notice are the first steps used by a landlord when they want you to leave their property.
With a Section 21 notice, your landlord doesn’t need a reason for asking you to leave – but you can only be served one if you have an assured short-hold tenancy.
If your landlord gives you a Section 21 notice and you don’t have an assured short-hold tenancy, your notice won’t be valid.
This means you can challenge the notice and potentially stay in your home.
If you’ve been handed a Section 8 notice, the landlord must have a valid excuse for evicting you.
For example, if you have rent arrears, have damaged the property, or have received complaints from neighbours.
Section 8 notices can be served if you’ve got an assured or assured short-hold tenancy.