Section 21 is Gone: What Happens Now?
The no-fault eviction notice that landlords have relied on for 35 years is being abolished.
The end of no-fault evictions
Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 has been the landlord's primary tool for ending tenancies for 35 years. Serve two months' notice, no reason required, and the tenant must leave. Simple, predictable, widely used.
From 1 May 2026, it is gone.
What replaces Section 21?
Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 becomes the only route to possession. But it has been significantly reformed under the Renters' Rights Act.
Section 8 requires landlords to specify one or more "grounds" for possession. Each ground has its own requirements, notice periods and evidence thresholds.
The key grounds
Mandatory grounds (court must grant possession)
Discretionary grounds (court may grant possession)
Evidence is everything
The critical difference from Section 21 is that every Section 8 claim requires evidence. The landlord must prove the ground is made out. For rent arrears, that means detailed payment records. For antisocial behaviour, that means incident logs, witness statements, and correspondence.
One missing document, one procedural error, one miscalculated notice period — and your case is dismissed. You start again.
What this means for landlords
How RightHold helps
RightHold's Section 8 Evidence Builder guides you through evidence collection for each ground. The system tracks notice periods, generates compliant notices, and produces court-ready evidence bundles. You focus on managing your properties. We focus on making sure the paperwork is right.