Section 8 eviction notices
Guide for private tenants with a section 8 notice.
What is a section 8 notice?
A section 8 notice is an eviction notice from your landlord. It means they want you to move out.
Your landlord can only make you leave if they take all these steps:
give you a valid section 8 notice
Each step takes time. Eviction can take several months.
If your landlord does not follow these steps, it's an illegal eviction.
Sometimes you can stop an eviction and stay in your home.
Contact your council's homeless team for advice if your notice ends in the next 2 months.
When can your landlord use a section 8 notice?
A private landlord can give you a section 8 notice if:
you have an assured tenancy
they have a reason to evict you
Your landlord cannot evict you just because you ask for repairs or complain about something.
They need a legal reason. For example, missing rent payments or they want to sell your home.
The law has changed
The Renters' Rights Act means most private tenants now have assured tenancies.
You might still have an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) if you got a notice before the law changed.
Check your eviction rights if your landlord gave you a:
Use our tenancy checker if you're not sure of your tenancy type.
How should your landlord give you notice?
Your landlord might:
send the notice through the post
hand deliver it to your home
Check your tenancy agreement to see if it allows notice to be given in another way. For example, by email.
If you are joint tenants, your landlord should:
give a copy of the notice to each of you
name all of you on the notice even if some of you do not live there
Get free legal advice
Look for help as soon as you get a notice.
Find a legal adviser on GOV.UK.
Tick 'housing loss prevention advice service' on the search tool.
You could get more legal help if you get benefits or have a low income.
Last updated: 1 May 2026
