🏘️ Renting from a Private Landlord?

If you rent from a private landlord, your tenancy is likely to be an assured periodic tenancy (from 1 May 2026, most assured shorthold tenancies automatically changed to assured periodic tenancies).

📄 If Your Landlord Wants You to Leave

They must follow the law.
In most cases, to end a private tenancy they will need to use the Section 8 process and rely on a legal ground for possession.

Common grounds can include (for example):

• Your landlord is selling the property
• Your landlord (or a close family member) is moving in
• You are in rent arrears
• There is serious anti-social behaviour

 A Section 8 notice must follow rules to be valid and it must give the correct reason (ground)and notice period.

 Important: If your landlord served you a Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026, different transitional rules may apply.   This means your landlord may still be able to use this notice to start possession proceedings by 31^st July 2026.  

If you have been served a notice by your landlord, please seek advice as soon as possible.  

⏳ You Don’t Have to Leave Right Away

If your notice ends and you have nowhere else to go, you canusually stay in your home.
You only have to leave if a court grants a possession order and, if necessary, county court bailiffs enforce it.

🆘 How We Can Help

If you get a notice:

Fill in our self-referral form on the Homelessness Advice page

One of our Housing Solutions Team will be able to:

• Check if the notice is valid
• Talk to your landlord and try to help
• Offer advice or book an appointment with a Housing Solutions Officer

‍Renters’ Rights Act: changes now in force (from 1 May 2026)

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has changed the private rented sector. These changes affect most private renters in England.

Key changes include:

• Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions are abolished for most private renters.
• Assured shorthold tenancies have ended and most private tenancies are now assured periodic (open-ended).
• A landlord can usually only regain possession using Section 8 and a legal ground (for example: sale of the property, moving in, rent arrears, or anti-social behaviour) and must get a court order.
• You have the right to request permission to keep a pet. Your landlord must consider the request and cannot refuse without good reason.
• Rent increases are limited to once in any 12 months, and your landlord must usually give at least 2 months’ notice. You may be able to challenge an increase you think is above the market rate.

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See Shelters website for detailed information about the Renters Rights Act and how this will affect you as a tenant.

🔗 Useful Links

• Citizens Advice
• The Renters’ Rights Act 2025