"The Renters' Rights Bill Part 4" - Evictions Under Section 8: Navigating the New Landscape

With the abolition of Section 21 under the Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords will now have to rely solely on Section 8 to regain possession of their properties. While the government has expanded the grounds for eviction, the process is still more complex, time-consuming, and potentially costly if not handled correctly.

So, what does this mean for landlords? How can they navigate the new rules while protecting their rental income? Here’s what you need to know.

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What’s Changing?

❗️ No More ‘No-Fault’ Evictions

• Previously, Section 21 allowed landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason—this will no longer be possible.
• Instead, landlords must prove valid legal grounds under Section 8 to remove a tenant.

❗️ Expanded Grounds for Possession

To compensate for the loss of Section 21, the government is introducing new and revised grounds under Section 8, including:

• Selling the property (new ground – requires 12 months of tenancy before use)
• Landlord or family moving in (new ground – requires 12 months of tenancy before use)
• Tenant in serious rent arrears (Ground 8 amended – at least 3 months of arrears required)
• Persistent late rent payments (new ground – even if not in full arrears)
• Anti-social behaviour (more stringent enforcement – Ground 7A)
• Tenant causing property damage (Ground 13 revised)

❗️ Evictions Will Take Longer

• Court backlogs and tenant appeals could mean a longer wait to regain possession.
• Mistakes in paperwork or missing deadlines can delay the process further.

❗️ Higher Risk of Financial Loss for Landlords

• Delays in eviction mean landlords may go months without rent.
• Rent arrears cases could take over a year to resolve if they go to court.

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Implications for Landlords

⚠️ Evictions Are No Longer a Quick Option

• Section 8 cases require strong legal grounds and can be challenged by tenants.
• A single mistake on the notice could result in the eviction being denied or delayed.

⚠️ Risk of Long-Term Rent Arrears

• Landlords can only evict for rent arrears if the tenant is at least 3 months behind.
• Even then, the process takes time, meaning landlords may face significant income loss.

⚠️ More Burden on Self-Managing Landlords

• Handling Section 8 correctly requires expertise—self-managing landlords risk making mistakes.
• Increased legal and administrative work makes professional management more attractive.

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How Landlords Can Protect Themselves

✅ 1. Strengthen Tenant Screening & Referencing

• The best way to avoid eviction issues is to place reliable tenants in the first place.
• Use thorough credit checks, income verification, and rental history assessments.

✅ 2. Keep Detailed Records & Documentation

• Document everything—rent payments, tenant communication, property inspections.
• Proper documentation strengthens your case if an eviction is necessary.

✅ 3. Understand the New Section 8 Grounds

• Ensure you know which eviction grounds apply to different situations.
• Follow correct legal procedures to avoid disputes or rejected notices.

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

• A professional property management service ensures all eviction processes are handled legally and efficiently.
• This reduces landlord stress, risk of mistakes, and potential legal costs.

✅ 5. Protect Your Income with Rent Guarantee Insurance

• If a tenant stops paying rent, landlords could wait months before regaining possession.
• Rent Guarantee Insurance (included in our managed service) ensures landlords continue to receive rental payments even if eviction is delayed.

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How We Can Help

Navigating Section 8 evictions can be stressful, but our fully managed service ensures you stay protected:

• We handle all legal compliance, ensuring evictions are processed correctly.
• We assist with tenant referencing, reducing the risk of rent arrears and eviction cases.
• We provide Rent Guarantee Insurance, protecting landlords from income loss.
• We manage all paperwork and court procedures, saving you time and hassle.

Worried about how the new eviction rules affect you? Get in touch today to see how we can protect your rental income and keep you legally compliant!