This week the government announced a consultation into abolishing Section 21 notices.
Landlords are currently able to evict tenants who have an assured shorthold tenancy using a Section 21 or Section 8 notice, or both. Landlords can use a Section 21 notice to evict tenants either:
- after a fixed term tenancy ends – if there’s a written contract
- during a tenancy with no fixed end date – known as a ‘periodic’ tenancy
Under reforms proposed by the government, landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants at short notice without giving a reason.
According to the Financial Times, the consultation is planned to take place before the summer. Under the proposals, landlords will have to give one of a specified list of reasons if they ask a tenant to leave. These include a failure to pay the rent or a breach of the terms of the tenancy agreement.
Ministers will also look to amend the process for “Section 8” evictions — where a specific reason is given — so that property owners can take back a home if they want to sell it or move into it. The proposals also include speeding up the court process for evicting tenants who fall into rent arrears or damage a property.