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:

• end your tenancy by agreement

• give notice to end your tenancy

• 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 have missed rent payments

• 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 repair responsibilities continue until the tenancy ends.

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.

Agreeing to end the tenancy

Ending the tenancy by agreement 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.

Giving notice to your landlord

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

If you owe rent

You do not have to move out straight away even if you have rent arrears.

Your landlord should not pressure you to leave. This could be harassment.

Read our guides to:

• rent arrears in a private tenancy

• harassment from a private landlord or agent

Both have letter templates to help you set out your rights and talk about missed payments.

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

If you cannot afford your rent

It might not be possible to stay in the longer term if you cannot afford your rent anymore. For example, because of a rent increase, splitting up with a partner or losing your job.

You should apply for benefits to help with rent while you still live there.

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.

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 they say you have to stay until the bailiffs come.

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.