Selling after 1st May

Landlord Discussion
1

If if I decide to sell my property after 1st May is it possible using section 8?what needs to be done?thank you

2

@bonzerpom

You could give notice for them to leave and/or including s21, before 1 may. And then sell after 1may

under RRA you will be able to sell with tenant in situ or possession using the new ground 1a

“The RRA introduces a new mandatory ground for possession (Ground 1A) specifically for landlords who intend to sell the property.

  • Process:

    • Meet criteria: You can only use this ground after the first 12 months of the tenancy (the protected period) have passed.

    • Serve notice: You must serve your tenant with a Section 8 notice using Ground 1A, giving at least four months’ notice.

    • Obtain court order: If the tenant does not leave by the end of the notice period, you must apply to the court for a possession order.

    • Restrictions: Once you have used this ground to regain possession, you are prohibited from re-letting or marketing the property for rent for a restricted period, which can be up to 16 months from the date the notice was served. This is to prevent misuse of the ground for “backdoor evictions”.

3

Thank you for your reply.How about if I want to move back into my own property from abroad?is there any difference,thank you again for taking the time

4

“The existing Ground 1 has been widened to make it easier for the landlord to recover possession to allow them or their family move in. However, as with Ground 1A, the relevant date of the notice be in the first 12 months of the current tenancy, which means the tenant will be able to serve the 4 months’ notice after 8 months, so it expires after the first 12 months of the tenancy.

The revised Ground 1 now allows a landlord to recover possession for close family members to move in. As well as the landlord’s spouse or civil partner, “family” includes the landlord’s parent, grandparent, sibling, child or grandchild. It also includes the curiously termed “half-blood” relations, but does not include cousins or nieces/nephews.

However, this does not apply to limited liability companies that own rental properties. This is due to the “corporate veil”, which means the shareholders are not the same as the company, which is a separate legal entity in its own right.

The landlord will need to satisfy the judge that they or a member of their extended family genuinely intends to move in.”

(For the official guidance google ‘Repossessing your privately rented property on or after 1 May 2026’ and click on the link

Renting out your property: guidance for landlords and letting agents

5

Thank you very much.thank you for your time

1 Like
6

Great reply from David. This is exactly the sort of nonsense this new law brings in. I and many like me are now selling up rental portfolios reducing choice for tenants and increasing rents. It’s also just plain wrong.

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7

@Gregory thanks are you saying part of the reply I gave was wrong (if so what) or are you commenting on the whole RRA and saying that is “wrong”.

Re the latter I’m sure many share your sentiments based on how many others here have said they are selling up (I think end of s21/RRA a final straw, interest rates staying higher for longer than hoped/expected making harder to make a profit also a reason).

Good luck

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8

Hi David

No your reply is spot on.

It’s just the lack of understanding from the Govt in implementing this bill.

Good luck to you too

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9

@Gregory and did you feel same about the previous Conservative government for introducing a similar bill which also would have abolished s21?

(A lot is the same or similar or with different timings google ‘How the Renters’ Rights Bill differs from the Renters (Reform) Bill’ )

Best

10

Yes I did. Governments don’t realise that when they penalise landlords it’s always the tenant that winds up paying. Just look at the impact of S24. A disaster for tenants and landlords. If landlords feel it no longer stacks up they will exit the market which reduces choice for tenants and raises rents. That’s why rents have gone up so much in recent years.

The gap will be filled by private equity landlords who buy up whole blocks. Rents are maximised and there is little or no compassion or understanding if a tenant’s situation changes.

The Govt only seem to listen to the likes of shelter (who house nobody) and ignore landlord groups. I’m getting out of this market.

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