Further changes to eviction notice periods from 1 August 2021
On 1 June 2021, there were significant reductions in the notice periods for both section 21 and section 8 notices.
On 1 August 2021, the notice period for section 8 notices where the tenant is in less than four months’ rent arrears will be reduced further still. For landlords seeking possession using grounds 8, 10 and/or 11 (without any other ground), the notice period is now two months.
We have included a breakdown of the various notice periods for section 21 and section 8 notices from 1 August 2021.
Section 21 Notices
The notice period for section 21 notices served after 1 June 2021 is four months.
Section 8 Notices
| Ground | Reason for Serving Notice | Length of Notice Period | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground 14 | Anti-social behaviour | No minimum notice period (notice expires immediately after service of notice) | ||
| Grounds 8, 10 and 11 (where rent arrears exceed the equivalent of four months’ rent) | Rent arrears | Four weeks | ||
| Ground 7 | Death of the former tenant | Two months | ||
| Grounds 8, 10 and 11 (where rent arrears are less than four months’ rent) | Rent arrears | Two months | ||
| Grounds 1-6, 9, 12, 13, 15 or 16 | Various | Four months |
These notice periods run until the end of September in England. If the government takes no further action before that point, then things in England will revert to the way they were before Covid began. The indications from government seem to be that this is what they will allow to happen, but there will be no certainty on that point until it actually occurs. What this will mean is harder to say. The courts will continue to operate on their revised working practices for some time, so court proceedings will remain slower. It is likely that evictions will start trending upwards back to pre-Covid levels but landlords would still be best advised to negotiate exits wherever possible as the court process will remain slow.
If you require an eviction notice serving on your tenant(s), please contact us and we would be happy to assist you.
