Timeline for eviction with an eye on renters rights bill

Landlord Discussion Legal
1

Hi. First post.

I’ve been weighing up selling my 3 BTLs due to my age, a desire for simplicity and of course the changes soon to be introduced.

One tenant has left so that one has gone up for sale quite smoothly.

The second one has an elderly tenant getting lots of support with her payments, never missed a £ so I’m relaxed at the moment.

The third one is where I need some help: the tenants are struggling with the rent, falling behind then mostly catching up, although the trend seems to be downwards. I have good communication with them and they are open about the difficulties. Chasing rents every month, seeing the debt increase tips me over into preferring to sell, preferably ahead of the new renter’s rights bill coming onto force.

I created the tenancy through Open Rent so I assume all the necessary documentation was passed to them (I’ll try and check but seems to remember I uploaded everything). From reading here a section 21 seems to be appropriate.

My question is, if I’m going to sell the property, does the new renter’s bill really impact my choice of timing? Is there merit issuing it now so the 2 months are over before 1st May, or is it too late and they won’t leave?

I know I’m really committing to selling. The market is slow but it’s a cracking house and I trust it will find a buyer.

Any other advice/thoughts welcome!

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@Peter125

Any valid notice served before 1 may will still be valid after. Just make sure the s21 you serve before 1 may I s valid

Serving the s21 doesn’t mean they necessarily leave in 2months time. It can take much longer if you have to go to court and ultimately get bailiffs etc. But if they find somewhere else and don’t mind moving they could well be out then. Remember lots of LLs are doing same ahead of RRA and it is already competitive finding somewhere.

If you wait till after 1 may you serve a different notice based on plans to sell and you have to have the evidence to persuade a judge

Good luck

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Waste no time on this. Issue S21 now and be prepared that they will not leave until bailiffs arrive. That could take 18 months so brace yourself for that ride.

S8 doesn’t seem worth it if they keep catching up… they’ll just keep stringing you along.

oh boy… make sure you get all paperwork in order then before you serve S21. In your situation, I’d prob be looking for a solicitor to make sure this gets done right and to help if things go downhill fast.

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