Section 21 vs Section 8 Notices
If your landlord wants to end your tenancy, they must use one of two legal routes in England. The type of notice they serve determines your rights and how quickly you may need to act.
| Feature | Section 21 Notice | Section 8 Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Also known as | "No-fault" eviction | "Fault-based" eviction |
| Grounds required | No reason needed — landlord simply wants property back | Specific legal grounds must be cited (e.g. rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, breach of tenancy) |
| Minimum notice period | 2 months | 2 weeks to 2 months depending on grounds |
| Can be challenged | Yes — on procedural grounds (e.g. deposit not protected, no gas certificate, retaliatory eviction) | Yes — if the stated grounds are disputed or disproportionate |
| Current status | Being abolished under the Renters' Rights Bill — check current position | Remains, with reformed mandatory and discretionary grounds |
| Court required | Only if tenant does not leave — landlord must apply for possession | Landlord must go to court unless tenant leaves voluntarily |
The Renters' Rights Bill proposes to abolish Section 21. Check GOV.UK for the current position before relying on this information.
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