"The Renters’ Rights Bill Part 1" - The End of Section 21: What Landlords Need to Know

The Renters’ Rights Bill is bringing the biggest shake-up to the private rented sector in decades. One of the most controversial changes is the abolition of Section 21, which will remove a landlord’s ability to end a tenancy without giving a reason. Instead, landlords will need to rely on Section 8 grounds for possession, which come with stricter rules and legal oversight.

So, what does this mean for landlords? How will evictions work under the new system? And what can landlords do to protect themselves from potential pitfalls? Let’s break it down.

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What’s Changing?

❗️ No More ‘No-Fault’ Evictions

• Section 21 currently allows landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, giving them flexibility to regain possession when needed.
• Under the new rules, landlords must provide a valid legal reason (Section 8 grounds) to evict a tenant.

❗️ Greater Reliance on Section 8 Notices

• Section 8 allows evictions based on specific legal grounds, such as rent arrears, property damage, or landlord’s intention to sell or move in.
• Courts will assess whether the eviction is justified, potentially making the process longer and more complex.

❗️ Expanded Grounds for Eviction

• To balance the loss of Section 21, the government is introducing new and revised grounds under Section 8, such as:
• Selling the property (but only after 12 months of tenancy).
• Landlord or family moving in (also requires 12 months).
• Repeated late rent payments (even if not in full arrears).
• Anti-social behaviour and property damage (stricter enforcement).

❗️ Longer Eviction Process

• Evicting a tenant via Section 8 could take several months if the tenant disputes the case.
• Court backlogs may delay possession, making it harder for landlords to regain control of their property.

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Implications for Landlords

⚠️ More Legal Complexity & Paperwork

With Section 21 gone, landlords will need strong evidence and proper legal grounds to evict tenants under Section 8. Incorrect paperwork could lead to costly delays.

⚠️ Greater Risk of Rent Arrears & Prolonged Evictions

Previously, landlords could use Section 21 to quickly remove tenants who stopped paying rent. Now, longer court processes may mean landlords face months of lost income before securing possession.

⚠️ Need for Stronger Tenant Screening

With fewer options to remove problematic tenants, landlords must be more selective during the tenant vetting process. Poor tenant choices could lead to costly disputes.

⚠️ Increased Burden on Self-Managing Landlords

For landlords managing properties themselves, keeping up with compliance and legal changes will be more time-consuming and stressful. Failing to follow correct procedures could lead to fines or even legal action.

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How Landlords Can Protect Themselves

✅ 1. Improve Tenant Screening & Referencing

The best way to avoid eviction problems is to place reliable tenants from the start. Use thorough referencing, credit checks, and rental history verification to minimise risk.

✅ 2. Keep Perfect Records & Compliance Up to Date

• Ensure you have a watertight tenancy agreement that aligns with the new rules.
• Ensure pre-tenancy documentation is completed and signed as received.
• Keep detailed records of all payments, communications (such as issuing of compliance certificates), and property inspections to support any future eviction case.

✅ 3. Consider a Managed Service for Compliance & Legal Support

• With the complexity of Section 8 evictions, self-managing landlords may struggle to stay compliant.
• A professional property management service ensures legal compliance, minimises risk, and handles evictions correctly—saving landlords time, stress, and potential legal fees.

✅ 4. Use Rent Guarantee Insurance

To protect against rental income loss, landlords should consider Rent Guarantee Insurance, which can cover unpaid rent and legal costs if a tenant stops paying.

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How We Can Help

We understand that these changes create uncertainty for landlords. That’s why our managed service takes care of everything—from tenant vetting and compliance to rent collection and legal processes. Plus, our exclusive rent guarantee add-on ensures landlords are paid even if an eviction is delayed.

Want to stay ahead of the changes? Get in touch to discuss how our expert team can help protect your rental income and keep you compliant.