Your landlord can apply to court to evict you after a section 21 notice ends. This starts the next stage in the eviction process. But your tenancy continues until you either:

• agree to leave

• are evicted by court bailiffs

The full eviction process can take several months.

Most private tenancies end through agreement with the landlord rather than eviction.

Make sure your landlord knows that you will be staying after the notice ends.

Your rights after a section 21

You have the right to live in your property undisturbed even if you owe rent or your landlord starts court action.

If your tenancy agreement says you should let future tenants in for viewings, the landlord or agent can only enter your home with your permission and at a reasonable time.

Your landlord's responsibilities continue, including carrying out repairs.

Ending your tenancy legally

Make sure you end your tenancy legally if you're willing to move out.

Write to your landlord by post or email. Be clear about when you want the tenancy to end.

You're responsible for rent until the tenancy ends, even if you move out earlier.

Your landlord should be flexible if they want you to leave without court action.

Giving notice to your landlord

If you cannot agree on a tenancy end date, you can usually end your tenancy by giving notice.

Agreeing to end the tenancy

Some landlords suggest ending the tenancy by agreement instead of eviction through the courts.

This is sometimes called a 'mutual surrender'.

Although a tenancy surrender can save you court costs it is unlikely to be a good option until you have found somewhere else to live.

If you have rent arrears

You do not have to move out early even if you have rent arrears, especially if you have nowhere to move to.

Use our letter template if your landlord is trying to force you to leave.

Look at all options to get help with your rent first.

Your landlord might not go to court to evict you if you can make a repayment plan.

If your rent is no longer affordable, for example, because of a job loss or relationship breakdown, it might not be reasonable for you to stay there in the long term.

Look for somewhere cheaper to rent. You can ask the council for help with this.

If you cannot find anywhere else to rent

Do not move out if you have nowhere else to move to.

It's usually better to stay where you are until you've found somewhere new to live. You can ask your council to help you find somewhere.

Moving in with family or friends

Check how long you can stay with family or friends before giving up your tenancy.

The council could decide you're intentionally homeless if you give up your tenancy voluntarily and then need homeless help later on.

If your landlord starts court action

Your landlord can start court action once the date on the section 21 notice has passed.

Ask your landlord to delay court action if you're looking for somewhere else to live.

If you are evicted you might have to pay court costs. This will be around £500 if you're evicted by bailiffs and could be more if there's a hearing.

Ask your council for help with costs if you've asked them for support but they say you must stay.

If the section 21 is not valid you can challenge the eviction in court. If the judge dismisses the case you can stay in your home and will not have to pay court costs.

Your landlord might serve a new notice to start the process again.