Section 21 eviction
The law has changed
Private tenants can only be evicted with a section 21 notice if you got a valid notice before 1 May 2026.
Staying in your home after a section 21
You do not have to move out straight away.
Your tenancy keeps going.
It can only end 1 of 3 ways:
you agree to leave and move out
you give notice to end your tenancy
you are evicted by court bailiffs
You have not done anything wrong if your landlord goes to court for an order to evict you. The court is there to make sure the landlord has taken the right steps to evict you.
The latest date most landlords can apply to court is 31 July 2026.
Find out how long an eviction takes.
Your rights if you stay
Your rights as a tenant continue.
Pay your rent as normal.
Your landlord is still responsible for repairs.
Tell your landlord your plans
Some landlords assume their tenants will just leave when they get a section 21 eviction notice.
Tell your landlord if you need to:
check the notice is valid
look for somewhere else to live
Remind your landlord that you do not have to leave when your notice runs out.
Keep a record of anything you agree with your landlord.
Agreeing a tenancy end date
Only do this if you have somewhere else to live.
Your landlord should be flexible about the tenancy end date if they want you to leave.
Keep emails, messages or letters to show what you have agreed.
If you cannot agree, you might have to give notice to end your tenancy.
If you leave without ending your tenancy, you may still be responsible for rent.
Be careful if you're asked to sign a 'deed of surrender'.
Only sign a document like this if you have somewhere to move to and can leave on the agreed date.
If your landlord offers you money to leave
Some landlords offer tenants money to leave.
Or they might say you do not have to pay rent that you owe if you move out.
These are only a good options if you have somewhere to move to.
Only take money to move out if it will help you get somewhere to live.
Make sure you have the money or a written agreement saying that rent arrears are cancelled before you move out.
More on rent arrears in a private tenancy.
Pressure to leave and illegal eviction
Your landlord must not:
force you to leave when the notice ends
change the locks without a court order
come to your home without a good reason or harass you
It is illegal for your landlord to harass you or force you out.
Example: Harassment from a landlord
Carmen's section 21 notice has ended.
Carmen still lives in the property. The council says her landlord needs to get a court order to evict her.
The landlord comes to Carmen's home and says she needs to leave in the next 2 weeks. Carmen says he needs to take the proper legal steps.
The landlord sends Carmen angry text messages. Most evenings, Carmen sees the landlord sitting in his car outside her house.
This is harassment. If the landlord makes Carmen feel so unsafe that she leaves, it could be an illegal eviction.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
