Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished for all tenancies in England from 1 June 2025. All possession proceedings now require a valid statutory ground under Section 8. Existing fixed-term tenancies continue until natural expiry then become periodic.
Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 — which allowed landlords to recover possession without giving a reason — is abolished from 1 June 2025. The change applies to all assured tenancies in England regardless of when they were created.
Landlords must now use Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 to recover possession. Section 8 requires the landlord to establish one or more of the statutory grounds set out in Schedule 2 to the Act.
Landlords should ensure they are using the current version of Form 3 (Section 8 Notice) available from gov.uk. Outdated templates may invalidate the notice.
Action required
Stop using Section 21 notices immediately. Update all tenancy management procedures to Section 8 grounds only. Download current Form 3 from gov.uk.
Effective
1 June 2025 (Section 21 abolished for all tenancies)
Who this affects
All private landlords and letting agents in England
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This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always verify information against the original source and seek independent professional guidance before acting on any regulatory matter.