Hi everyone,
I’m a landlady about to start a new tenancy, and I’m trying to understand how the new UK renting laws will affect me. My understanding is that Section 21 will be abolished from 1 May 2026, so I won’t be able to use it in future. Instead, if I decide to sell my property in a year or two, I would have to rely on Section 8 grounds for selling to ask the tenants to leave.
Is this correct? And will I have any issues if the tenants want to stay, or is the “selling the property” ground enough as long as I give proper notice and evidence?
It’s Ground 1a you’re thinking of, and it’s a mandatory ground so can’t be challenged if you meet the statutory conditions (which you can find on the web)
’ guidance for landlords and letting agents Ending a tenancy’
As it says
.
To end an assured periodic tenancy on or after 1 May 2026 you will need to [give your tenant a section 8 notice of seeking possession
Google ’ Giving notice to evict tenants’ which explains process
And google ’ Grounds for possession: guidance for landlords and letting agents’
This explains ground 1a
Ground 1A - sale of dwelling house
You will be able to use this ground if you intend to sell your property. You will not be able to ask your tenant to leave for this reason within the first 12 months of a new tenancy.
If you are a social landlord, you will not be able to use this ground until 2027. Social landlords should continue to use the notice periods in the current [possession
Ground 1A notice period
You will need to give 4 months’ notice before you will be able to apply to the court for a possession order to evict your tenant
Will you have issues if they wish to stay? Well you will be disrupting their lives by forcing t hem to leave so maybe just like any other evictions. You /t h ey may prefer a mutual deed of surrender or get them to give notice
You cant use the grounds in first 12months of a tenancy