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England

Section 21 eviction

A section 21 eviction notice period must be at least 2 months.

Your landlord can only apply to court after the notice period ends.

An eviction through the courts can take several months.

The bailiffs must give you at least 2 weeks' notice of an eviction date.

Who should use this guide

This guide is for private renters with assured shorthold tenancies.

Most private renters have this type of tenancy. Check your tenancy type.

Some housing association tenants also have assured shorthold tenancies.

Read this page if you're a housing association tenant.

What is a section 21 notice?

A section 21 notice starts the legal process to end an assured shorthold tenancy.

Your landlord or agent can give you a section 21 during either a:

  • rolling periodic tenancy

  • fixed term contract if there's a break clause

The notice gives a date for you to leave your home. Your tenancy continues if you stay past that date. Your landlord must apply to court if they still want you to leave.

It is illegal eviction if your landlord tries to evict you without giving you the right notice and getting a court order.

Moving out before the end of a notice

You may want to leave before the end of the notice if you find somewhere else to live.

A section 21 notice means your landlord wants you to leave so they should agree an earlier move out date.

Make sure you agree an end date with your landlord if you move out before the end of the notice. Keep letters, emails or texts as evidence.

Find out more about how you can give notice to end your tenancy.

Staying past the end of a notice

Your tenancy continues if you stay past the date in a section 21 notice until you either:

  • leave the property voluntarily

  • are evicted through the legal process

You can get early legal advice if your home is at risk.

Early advice is free no matter what your income is.

Last updated: 15 August 2023

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