Section 21 'no-fault' evictions formally abolished

The Renters' Rights Act provisions ending Section 21 'no-fault' evictions in England, originally promised in 2019, are now in force. New tenancies are periodic from the outset and existing assured shorthold tenancies have been converted automatically.

Landlords retain the ability to recover possession on specific grounds — for example, intending to sell, intending to move in, or persistent rent arrears — through Section 8 notices. Notice periods for many grounds have been extended, and judges have wider discretion to refuse possession in certain circumstances.

Other reforms in the Act include extension of the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, a national landlord register, an Ombudsman for private landlords, and limits on rent increases to once per year and only via the formal Section 13 process.

Tenants concerned about a notice should not move out unless legally required to. Free advice is available from Citizens Advice, Shelter and many local councils.