Section 21 eviction

Council help after a section 21

You can make a homeless application as soon as you get a section 21 notice.

The council must try to stop you becoming homeless if:

your notice is valid
it ends in less than 8 weeks
you meet immigration conditions

The council might help find you somewhere else to live if you cannot stay in your home.

The council will check your notice

Your landlord needs to give you a valid section 21 notice to evict you.

Some landlords make mistakes with eviction notices.

Bad landlords and agents give notices with the wrong dates to try and make you leave early.

If your notice is valid

A housing officer will usually try to talk your landlord to find out:

why you were given notice
what the landlord plans to do
if the eviction can be stopped

If your notice is not valid

The council might say your landlord has to give you a valid notice before they can help you.

But they should look at other things that could mean you cannot stay in your home.

Tell the council if, for example:

you cannot afford the rent
your home is damp or needs serious repairs
your home is overcrowded
your landlord or agent harasses you or threatens illegal eviction

You should not have to stay somewhere if you're at risk of domestic abuse.

The council should make sure you are safe and give you emergency housing if you need it.

Help to stay in your home

The council could help with:

a grant or loan to clear rent arrears
discretionary housing payments (DHP) to help with rent

If you have a disability or support needs

You may need help to find a certain type of home. For example, an adapted property or supported housing.

The council should also decide if you have a priority need for housing. This means the council must provide suitable housing if you become homeless.

You might need to show proof like a letter from your doctor.

The council should help to find you a suitable home before you have to leave where you are now. They should not tell you they cannot help until the eviction date.

If you cannot stay in your home

The council might say you need to wait for bailiffs to evict you unless you are at risk of harm.

Tell them if you do not think you can stay. For example, if:

there are repairs problems that make it unsafe
the cost of eviction through the court would cause you serious money problems
you cannot afford rent without cutting back on food or other essentials

Find out more about emergency housing and who can get it.

Do not give up your tenancy if you have nowhere to go

The council could decide you're intentionally homeless if you leave when they think you could stay.

You can remind your housing officer of the homelessness code of guidance if you qualify for emergency housing. Tell them to read paragraphs 6.29-6.38.

You could get legal help if the council makes you wait for the bailiffs.