Evictions in 2026, navigating Section 21 abolition

The landscape of eviction in England changed fundamentally on 1 May 2026 when the Renters' Rights Act abolished Section 21 notices, ending so-called no-fault evictions after more than three decades. For landlords who've relied on Section 21 to regain possession at the end of fixed terms or during periodic tenancies, this represents the most significant shift in landlord-tenant law since the Housing Act 1988 introduced Assured Shorthold Tenancies.

Understanding how to lawfully end tenancies in 2026 is now more complex but no less essential. Every eviction must be based on specific grounds for possession under the revised Section 8 procedure, with stricter notice periods, enhanced tenant protections, and longer court timescales. For landlords managing rental properties, knowing when and how you can legally evict tenants, what documentation you need, and how to avoid costly mistakes has never been more important.

This August article explains the eviction process in 2026, covering the abolition of Section 21, the updated Section 8 grounds for possession, proper notice procedures, court processes, and practical steps to protect your position throughout. Whether you're dealing with rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or need to sell your property, this guide provides the clarity you need to navigate the new regime.

The end of Section 21: what no-fault eviction meant

For over 30 years, Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 allowed landlords to evict tenants from Assured Shorthold Tenancies without providing a reason. After a fixed term ended or during a periodic tenancy, landlords could serve a Section 21 notice, often called a no-fault eviction notice, giving two months' notice that the tenancy would end.

How Section 21 worked before abolition

The Section 21 process was relatively straightforward compared to fault-based evictions. Landlords served notice using Form 6A, the prescribed form for Section 21 notices, stating the date by which the tenant must leave. Provided the landlord had met all legal requirements like protecting the deposit in a government-approved scheme, providing prescribed information, giving the tenant a Gas Safety Certificate, EPC, and How to Rent guide, and not attempting to evict during the first four months of the tenancy, the notice was valid.

If the tenant didn't leave by the date specified, landlords could apply for possession through an accelerated possession procedure that didn't require a court hearing. Provided the paperwork was in order and all requirements met, possession orders were usually granted within 6-8 weeks. The tenant couldn't defend against a valid Section 21 notice by arguing they'd done nothing wrong, as no fault needed to be proved.

Why Section 21 was abolished

Critics argued Section 21 created insecurity for tenants who could be evicted at any time without reason, discouraging them from exercising rights like reporting disrepair or challenging excessive rent increases. The term "revenge eviction" described situations where landlords allegedly used Section 21 after tenants complained about property conditions, though evidence of how widespread this practice was remained contested.

The government's stated aims in abolishing Section 21 include giving tenants greater security to put down roots in communities, enabling tenants to challenge poor practices without fear of retaliatory eviction, and ending the perceived injustice of families being forced to move without having done anything wrong.

For landlords, Section 21 abolition means losing flexibility to end tenancies without proving fault, potentially longer possession timescales when legitimate grounds exist, and greater importance of thorough documentation and following procedures correctly from day one.

The new framework: Section 8 and grounds for possession

With Section 21 gone, every eviction now proceeds through Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988, requiring landlords to specify which ground or grounds for possession they're relying on. These grounds fall into two categories, mandatory grounds where the court must grant possession if the ground is proved, and discretionary grounds where the judge decides whether it's reasonable to evict based on circumstances.

Mandatory grounds for possession

Mandatory grounds provide certainty for landlords. If you prove the ground applies, the court has no choice but to grant possession. Key mandatory grounds include:

Ground 1 - The landlord previously occupied the property as their only or principal home, or intends to occupy it as such. You must have given written notice at the start of the tenancy that you might rely on this ground. The Renters' Rights Act increased the notice period for Ground 1 to four months, up from two months previously.

Ground 1A - The landlord intends to sell the property and needs vacant possession. This ground was strengthened under the Renters' Rights Act to address landlord concerns about being unable to sell with sitting tenants. Notice period is four months. Crucially, if you use Ground 1A, you cannot re-let the property for at least three months after the tenant leaves, preventing abuse of this ground simply to achieve higher rents.

Ground 1B - The property is subject to a registered right to buy. This new ground added by the Renters' Rights Act applies when a tenant exercises their right to buy the property under qualifying schemes.

Ground 8 - Serious rent arrears. The tenant must owe at least two months' rent at both the date of serving notice and the date of the court hearing. Ground 8 provides the strongest route to possession for rent arrears but requires the arrears to remain at or above two months throughout. If the tenant reduces arrears below this threshold before the hearing, Ground 8 fails.

Ground 7A - Repeated serious breaches of the tenancy. This covers situations where the tenant has persistently breached tenancy terms despite previous warnings or court action.

Discretionary grounds for possession

Discretionary grounds give judges flexibility to consider individual circumstances. Common discretionary grounds include:

Ground 10 - Some rent arrears, but less than the two months required for Ground 8. The judge considers factors like why arrears arose, whether the tenant is engaging with attempts to resolve the situation, and whether possession is proportionate.

Ground 11 - Persistent delay in paying rent, even if arrears are minimal or non-existent by the hearing date. This targets tenants who habitually pay late, disrupting the landlord's cash flow.

Ground 12 - Breach of tenancy terms. This covers situations like keeping pets without permission where the tenancy prohibits it, running a business from the property contrary to tenancy terms, or other contractual breaches not covered by specific grounds.

Ground 14 - Nuisance, annoyance, or antisocial behaviour affecting neighbours, the landlord, or people visiting the property. This includes noise complaints, harassment, illegal activities, or behaviour causing distress to others.

Ground 15 - Damage to the property or furniture beyond reasonable wear and tear. This covers deliberate or negligent damage that goes significantly beyond normal use.

Ground 17 - The tenancy was granted because of the tenant's employment, and that employment has ended. This applies to properties tied to jobs like caretakers or agricultural workers.

Notice periods under the new regime

The Renters' Rights Act significantly extended notice periods for several grounds. Most grounds now require either two months' or four months' notice:

Four months' notice required - Ground 1 (landlord moving in), Ground 1A (sale of property), Ground 4 (tied accommodation no longer needed), Ground 6 (substantial redevelopment).

Two months' notice required - Most other grounds including rent arrears (Grounds 8, 10, 11), breach of tenancy (Ground 12), and nuisance or antisocial behaviour (Ground 14).

Antisocial behaviour grounds retain shorter notice periods, recognising urgent need to protect neighbours and communities. Ground 14A (serious antisocial behaviour) requires two weeks' notice, whilst Ground 14ZA (the most serious antisocial behaviour including violence or threats) requires 48 hours' notice with court proceedings able to commence immediately.

Serving a valid Section 8 notice

A Section 8 notice is the formal document starting possession proceedings. Getting it right is crucial because defects in the notice can delay proceedings by months or result in the case being thrown out entirely.

Using the correct form

Section 8 notices must use the prescribed form, currently Form 3 under the Assured Tenancies and Agricultural Occupancies (Forms) (England) Regulations 2015. The form must specify which ground or grounds you're relying on, include the full prescribed text for each ground, state the earliest date possession proceedings can begin, and provide reasons and evidence supporting each ground.

Unlike the simpler Section 21 Form 6A, Section 8 notices require detailed information about why you're seeking possession. Vague statements like "rent arrears" aren't sufficient. You must specify exact amounts owed, dates payments were due and missed, and current arrears figure.

Service requirements

The Section 8 notice must be served on every tenant named on the tenancy agreement. If you have joint tenants, serve notice on each person individually. Service methods include hand delivery with the tenant signing a receipt, first-class post to the tenant's address, or leaving the notice at the property addressed to the tenant.

Keep proof of service. For hand delivery, get a signed receipt. For postal service, keep the certificate of posting from the Post Office. If leaving at the property, photograph the notice and record the date and time. This evidence becomes critical if the tenant later claims they never received notice.

Timing considerations

The notice period doesn't begin until the tenant actually receives the notice or it's deemed served. For postal service, deemed service typically occurs two working days after posting. However, if the tenant claims non-receipt, you may need to prove service, which is why hand delivery with proof often provides greatest certainty.

Calculate the earliest date possession proceedings can begin carefully. For Ground 8 rent arrears, proceedings can start immediately if at least two months' rent is owed. For most other grounds, you must wait until the notice period expires. Starting court proceedings before the notice period expires invalidates the whole process, requiring you to serve fresh notice and start again.

The court process for possession

Once you've served a valid Section 8 notice and any required notice period has expired, possession proceedings move to court. Unlike the old Section 21 accelerated procedure, virtually all Section 8 cases now require a court hearing.

Starting proceedings

To begin court proceedings, complete Form N5 (claim for possession of property) for standard proceedings, or Form N5B for accelerated proceedings in limited circumstances. You'll need to attach the tenancy agreement, copy of the Section 8 notice with proof it was served, evidence supporting your grounds such as rent statements for arrears cases or witness statements for antisocial behaviour, and any relevant correspondence with the tenant.

The court fee depends on the claim value. For possession claims based on rent arrears, the fee is calculated on the arrears amount, ranging from £70 for claims under £300 to £325 for claims over £3,000. For possession claims not involving money, the fee is typically £355.

File your claim at the county court covering the property's location. The court will send your claim to the tenant and set a hearing date, usually 4-8 weeks away, though delays vary significantly by region. Some courts have waiting times exceeding 20 weeks, a major concern that delayed Section 21 abolition until government committed to court improvements.

The possession hearing

Both you and the tenant will be invited to attend the possession hearing. While you can represent yourself, many landlords instruct solicitors, particularly for complex cases or high-value properties. Tenants may be represented by housing charities, Citizens Advice, or solicitors.

At the hearing, the judge will examine your evidence, hear from both parties, and decide whether the grounds for possession are proved, whether it's reasonable to grant possession for discretionary grounds, what date possession should take effect, and whether any costs should be awarded.

For mandatory grounds like Ground 8 rent arrears, the judge must grant possession if arrears remain at two months or more. However, the judge can set the possession date up to six weeks away, or up to three months if exceptional hardship would result from earlier eviction. This gives tenants time to find alternative accommodation.

For discretionary grounds, judges consider all circumstances. Even if the ground is proved, the judge might refuse possession, impose conditions instead, or suspend the possession order, giving the tenant a chance to remedy the breach. For example, in Ground 12 breach of tenancy cases involving unauthorised pets, judges sometimes allow possession but suspend the order on condition the pet is removed.

Possession orders and warrants

If the court grants possession, you'll receive a possession order stating the date by which the tenant must leave. If the tenant doesn't vacate by that date, you cannot forcibly remove them or change the locks. This is illegal eviction and can result in criminal charges and substantial compensation claims.

Instead, you must apply for a warrant for possession by completing Form N325. This costs £130 and requests court bailiffs to attend the property and evict the tenant physically. Bailiff appointments are scheduled weeks or months ahead depending on local court capacity.

When bailiffs arrive, they give the tenant a final opportunity to leave voluntarily. If the tenant refuses, bailiffs will require them to leave, supervise removal of possessions, and hand keys to you. Only at this point do you legally regain possession of your property.

Rent arrears evictions under the new regime

Rent arrears remain the most common reason landlords seek possession. The Renters' Rights Act made significant changes to how arrears cases are handled.

Ground 8 serious arrears

Ground 8 remains the strongest possession ground for landlords. If the tenant owes at least two months' rent when you serve notice and still owes two months or more at the hearing, the court must grant possession. However, the Renters' Rights Act made Ground 8 harder to use by requiring arrears to reach two full months before notice can be served, whereas previously some landlords argued shorter periods sufficed.

Calculate arrears carefully. Two months' rent means two complete rental periods' worth. For monthly tenancies, this means rent for two full months. Don't include partial months or count days. If rent is £1,000 per calendar month and the tenant has paid nothing for January and February, arrears are £2,000, meeting the Ground 8 threshold. If they paid £500 in February, arrears are £1,500, falling short of Ground 8.

Ground 8 requires notice but proceedings can begin immediately without waiting for a notice period to expire. This makes Ground 8 the fastest eviction route when arrears reach the threshold.

Grounds 10 and 11 for lesser arrears

Ground 10 covers situations where some rent is owed but arrears are below the two-month Ground 8 threshold. Ground 11 applies when the tenant habitually pays late, even if they catch up eventually. Both are discretionary grounds, meaning judges consider whether possession is reasonable.

For Ground 10 cases, judges examine why arrears arose, whether the tenant is engaging with payment plans, the tenant's payment history, and whether possession is proportionate compared to alternatives like suspended orders. Tenants who've fallen behind due to temporary financial hardship but are now engaging with repayment plans often successfully defend Ground 10 claims.

Ground 11 targets tenants who persistently pay late, causing cash flow problems for landlords even when arrears are minimal. You must prove a pattern of late payment, not just one or two instances. Documented evidence of repeated late payments, your attempts to address the issue, and the impact on your ability to meet mortgage or maintenance obligations strengthens Ground 11 claims.

The changed possession threshold

The Renters' Rights Act raised the serious arrears threshold for Ground 8 in some circumstances. Previously, two months' arrears was always sufficient. Now, for tenants receiving Universal Credit or other housing benefits, the threshold increases to three months in recognition of benefit payment cycles and common delays.

This change reflects government concern about evicting tenants whose arrears result from benefit administration issues rather than genuine refusal to pay. However, it makes possession more difficult for landlords renting to benefit claimants, particularly given Universal Credit's monthly payment cycle that can mean rent is always technically a few weeks behind.

Eviction for antisocial behaviour

Antisocial behaviour and nuisance provide grounds for possession when tenant conduct affects neighbours, other occupiers, the landlord, or people visiting the locality. The severity and persistence of behaviour determine which ground applies and how quickly eviction can proceed.

Ground 14 standard antisocial behaviour

Ground 14 is a discretionary ground covering antisocial behaviour that causes nuisance or annoyance. This includes persistent noise complaints, harassment or verbal abuse, drug dealing or other illegal activity on the premises, allowing property to become a focus for antisocial behaviour, and behaviour causing distress to others.

To succeed with Ground 14, you need evidence of the behaviour and its impact. Witness statements from neighbours, police reports or crime reference numbers, environmental health noise reports, diary logs of incidents with dates and times, and photographic or video evidence all strengthen your case.

Judges consider whether the behaviour is serious enough to justify eviction, whether you've taken reasonable steps to address the issue before seeking possession, the likelihood of behaviour continuing, and the impact on others if the tenant remains.

Ground 14A serious antisocial behaviour

Ground 14A applies when behaviour is sufficiently serious that possession is needed urgently. This covers threats of violence, actual violence, serious harassment that makes neighbours feel unsafe, dealing Class A drugs, and other severe conduct.

Ground 14A requires only two weeks' notice, compared to two months for standard Ground 14. However, you must demonstrate to the judge that behaviour is genuinely severe and poses ongoing risk. Minor neighbour disputes don't qualify.

Ground 14ZA for the most serious cases

Ground 14ZA, added by the Renters' Rights Act, provides an emergency eviction route for the most severe antisocial behaviour. Notice can be as short as 48 hours in extreme cases involving immediate risk of serious harm.

This ground applies when there's been conviction for a serious offence committed in or near the property, behaviour that's led to a closure order on the property, or actions creating such risk that emergency intervention is necessary. Ground 14ZA recognises that in extreme situations, lengthy notice periods endanger communities.

Evictions for landlord circumstances

Several grounds allow possession based on the landlord's circumstances rather than tenant fault. These grounds face particular scrutiny under the new regime to prevent abuse.

Ground 1: landlord moving in

Ground 1 allows possession when the landlord intends to occupy the property as their only or principal home. The Renters' Rights Act made significant changes to Ground 1 to address concerns about landlords falsely claiming this ground.

You must have given written notice at the tenancy start that you might rely on Ground 1. If you didn't provide this notice, you cannot use Ground 1. This requirement was always present but is now strictly enforced. Notice must be four months, doubling the previous two-month period.

Most significantly, if you gain possession using Ground 1, you cannot re-let the property for at least 12 months. This prevents landlords using Ground 1 simply to achieve higher rents with new tenants. The 12-month restriction is strictly monitored, with severe penalties for breaching it including substantial fines, rent repayment orders to the evicted tenant, and potential criminal proceedings.

Ground 1A: selling the property

Ground 1A was introduced by the Renters' Rights Act to address landlord concerns about being unable to sell with sitting tenants. You can serve notice stating you intend to sell and need vacant possession. Notice period is four months.

However, Ground 1A comes with restrictions. After gaining possession, you cannot re-let the property for three months. If you don't actually sell within a reasonable timeframe, the evicted tenant could pursue compensation through rent repayment orders. The property must genuinely be for sale, meaning you must instruct estate agents, list the property, and actively market it.

Landlords considering Ground 1A should document their intention thoroughly. Get valuations from estate agents, instruct solicitors to prepare for sale, and create a clear timeline. If challenged, you'll need to prove the sale intention was genuine, not a pretext for eviction.

Ground 6: substantial redevelopment

Ground 6 applies when you intend to carry out substantial works that cannot reasonably be done with the tenant in occupation. Substantial works means significant renovation, structural alterations, or conversions, not routine maintenance or minor improvements.

You must demonstrate the works are necessary, cannot be completed with the tenant remaining, and you've obtained necessary planning permissions and building regulations approval. Notice period is four months.

Like Ground 1A, Ground 6 includes safeguards. If you gain possession but don't actually carry out the works, tenants can claim rent repayment orders. Document your intentions thoroughly, including architectural plans, planning permissions, contractor quotes, and project timelines.

Common eviction mistakes and how to avoid them

Eviction errors delay proceedings, waste money, and sometimes result in compensation claims against you. Understanding common mistakes helps you avoid them.

Defective notices

Notices with technical defects are the most common reason eviction attempts fail. Using the wrong form, failing to specify grounds correctly, serving notice on only one joint tenant when multiple exist, not giving full notice periods, serving notice before establishing grounds like rent arrears reaching the required threshold, and arithmetic errors in calculating dates all invalidate notices.

Double-check every detail before serving notice. If uncertain, instructing a solicitor for notice preparation costs £100-200 but prevents expensive mistakes. Once served, notices cannot be amended. If defective, you must serve fresh notice and wait again.

Inadequate evidence

Courts require clear, documentary evidence to grant possession. For rent arrears, provide detailed rent statements showing every payment and missed payment, tenancy agreement confirming rent amount and payment dates, bank statements proving payments weren't received, and correspondence chasing arrears.

For breach of tenancy or antisocial behaviour, provide witness statements from affected parties, photographs or videos of damage or behaviour, police reports or crime reference numbers, and correspondence warning the tenant about issues.

August's document storage helps landlords maintain organised records. Upload tenancy agreements, store rent payment history automatically through August's rent tracking, keep correspondence accessible, and store inspection reports and photographs by property.

Illegal eviction

Some landlords, frustrated by lengthy legal processes, resort to illegal eviction methods. This includes changing locks whilst the tenant is out, removing the tenant's possessions, shutting off utilities to force the tenant out, and harassing the tenant to make them leave.

Illegal eviction is a criminal offence punishable by fines and imprisonment. Tenants can claim substantial compensation, often reaching tens of thousands of pounds. Never take matters into your own hands. Only court bailiffs can physically evict tenants, and only after possession orders and warrants are obtained.

Failing to follow procedures

Section 8 proceedings require strict adherence to procedures. Serve notice on every tenant named on the agreement, wait for notice periods to expire before starting proceedings, use correct court forms and pay proper fees, provide complete evidence bundles, and attend hearings or instruct representation.

Missing a court hearing because you thought your case was strong enough without attending often results in cases being dismissed, requiring you to start over. Judges expect landlord professionalism. Demonstrating you've followed procedures, tried to resolve issues, and treated the tenant fairly improves outcomes.

Life after Section 21: adapting to the new reality

Section 21 abolition represents permanent change to the landlord-tenant relationship. Adapting requires different approaches to tenancy management, documentation, and tenant selection.

Front-loading due diligence

With harder eviction processes, preventing problems beats fixing them. Thorough tenant referencing becomes critical. Verify employment and income properly, check previous landlord references carefully, use credit checks to identify payment history issues, and consider guarantors for tenants with limited rental history.

Some landlords worry tenant shortages mean they can't be selective. However, accepting problematic tenants to avoid void periods often costs more than the lost rent through months-long eviction battles. Quality tenants who pay reliably and respect properties are worth waiting for.

Maintaining detailed records

When every eviction requires proving grounds, documentation becomes essential. Keep comprehensive rent payment records, document all communication with tenants, record property inspections with photographs, store copies of all notices served, and maintain files of any complaints or issues.

August provides centralised storage for all tenancy documentation. Rent tracking creates automatic payment histories. Document storage keeps certificates, agreements, and correspondence accessible. Maintenance tracking logs every repair request and resolution, creating clear audit trails if disputes arise.

Building positive relationships

Tenants who feel respected and well-treated are less likely to breach tenancy terms or default on rent. Respond promptly to maintenance requests, communicate clearly and professionally, address issues before they escalate, and treat tenants as customers, not adversaries.

This doesn't mean accepting unacceptable behaviour. But approaching tenancies as business relationships where both parties benefit when things work smoothly creates environments where problems are less likely to arise.

Planning exit strategies

Before granting tenancies, consider what circumstances might require possession. If there's reasonable possibility you'll want to move back into the property, sell it, or redevelop it within a few years, ensure you've given appropriate written notice at tenancy commencement allowing use of relevant grounds.

For Ground 1 landlord moving in, written notice at tenancy start is mandatory. Without it, Ground 1 isn't available. Similarly, if property purchase was always an investment you might sell, documenting this strengthens Ground 1A claims if needed later.

Looking ahead: the evolving eviction landscape

The Renters' Rights Act implementation continues beyond Section 21 abolition. Further changes are expected as regulations develop and court procedures adapt.

Court improvements

Government committed to improving court capacity before abolishing Section 21, recognising lengthy waits harm both landlords and tenants. Investments in additional judges, digital case management, and streamlined procedures aim to reduce waiting times from the current 12-20 weeks to more reasonable timescales.

For landlords, faster court processes make the loss of Section 21 somewhat less painful. If legitimate possession grounds can be proved and possession achieved within reasonable timescales, the practical difference from Section 21 narrows.

The Private Rented Sector Ombudsman

The new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman, launching in phases during 2026-2027, will hear complaints from tenants about landlord conduct. Decisions are binding and can include compensation orders for tenant detriment.

Landlords who handle evictions poorly, whether through illegal methods, retaliatory motives after complaints, or failing to follow procedures, risk complaints escalating to the Ombudsman. This adds another enforcement layer beyond courts and local authorities.

Landlord registration database

The national landlord registration database, being developed through 2026, will record landlord compliance history. Evictions conducted improperly, particularly those involving illegality or Ombudsman findings, will appear on landlord records.

This creates reputational consequences beyond individual cases. Landlords with poor compliance records may find it harder to access finance, insurance, or letting services. Professional conduct throughout the tenancy lifecycle, including evictions, protects both immediate interests and long-term reputation.

Using August to manage tenancies and documentation

Managing tenancies professionally under the new regime requires organisation, accurate records, and proactive compliance management. August provides tools specifically designed for UK landlords navigating these challenges.

Rent tracking and arrears visibility

August's rent tracking connects to your bank via Open Banking, automatically matching incoming payments to tenancies. You see at a glance which tenants are current, who's late, and how much is owed. This early visibility helps you address payment issues before they escalate to eviction territory.

If arrears develop, August provides complete payment histories showing every transaction, perfect evidence for Ground 8 or Ground 10 possession claims. Export rent statements directly from the app, eliminating manual spreadsheet management.

Document storage and compliance

Every possession case requires documentary evidence. August's document storage keeps tenancy agreements, serving notices, correspondence, inspection reports, and photographs organised by property. When you need evidence for court, everything is accessible from your phone rather than buried in filing cabinets.

Compliance checklists ensure you've met all requirements that could invalidate eviction attempts. Protected deposit properly, provided prescribed information, given How to Rent guide, and maintained Gas Safety, EPC, and EICR certificates, all tracked and prompted by August.

Smart reminders and proactive management

August's smart reminders prompt you about upcoming certificate renewals, inspection due dates, and tenancy milestones. Staying ahead of requirements means you're always in a strong position if possession becomes necessary.

For landlords managing multiple properties, August provides portfolio-wide visibility. See which properties have tenancy issues, which are compliant, and where action is needed, all from one dashboard.

Moving forward with confidence

Eviction in 2026 is more complex than it was when Section 21 existed. Every possession requires proving grounds, following strict procedures, and often enduring lengthy court processes. However, eviction remains possible when legitimate grounds exist and procedures are followed correctly.

Understanding the new landscape, documenting thoroughly, treating tenancies professionally, and using appropriate tools helps landlords navigate the post-Section 21 world. The changes aim to balance tenant security with landlord rights, ensuring evictions happen only when justified and conducted fairly.

For landlords committed to professional property management, the new regime is manageable. Those who maintain good tenant relationships, address problems proactively, keep detailed records, and follow legal procedures will continue to run successful rental businesses. Those who relied on Section 21 as their primary management tool must adapt, but adaptation is achievable with proper systems.

The Renters' Rights Act represents a new era for the private rented sector. Landlords who embrace professionalism, invest in proper management systems like August, and treat tenancies as long-term business relationships will thrive. Those who resist change or attempt to circumvent regulations risk penalties, complaints, and ultimately, unsustainable business models.

Take time to understand your obligations, review your current tenancies for potential issues, ensure your documentation and procedures are robust, and consider how tools like August can help you manage compliance across your portfolio. The eviction process has changed permanently. Your approach to tenancy management must change too.

Disclaimer: This article is a guide and not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice, or as a substitute for it. August does not accept any liability for any errors, omissions or misstatements contained in this article. Always speak to a suitably qualified professional if you require specific advice or information.