1st October 2021 Marks the Return to Norm for Evictions

 1st October 2021 Marks the Return to Norm for Evictions

On 12th May 2021, the Government announced a phased approach to the return to pre-covid rules on residential tenant evictions, beginning on 31 May 2021.

As we are now approaching the end of the final phase of those restrictions we consider what this means for landlords and tenants.

What does this mean?

For landlords looking to obtain possession of their property, there is more good news.

From 1st August 2021 notice periods for cases where there is four or more months of unpaid rent, the notice period reduced from 6 months to 2 months' notice.

Notice periods for the most serious cases that present the most strain on landlords have been reduced as follows:

  • Anti-social behaviour (immediate to 4 weeks' notice)
  • Domestic abuse in the social sector (2 to 4 weeks' notice)
  • False statement (2 to 4 weeks' notice)
  • Over 4 months' accumulated rent arrears (4 weeks' notice)
  • Breach of immigration rules 'Right to Rent' (2 weeks' notice)
  • Death of a tenant (2 months' notice)

The Government also plans to reduce notice periods to pre-covid levels from 1 October 2021. This would mean a return to a two-month notice period for Section 21 Notices (no fault notices), and a minimum of 2 weeks' notice where the tenant is in breach of the tenancy.

However, the Government are still planning to abolish Section 21 Notices in the Autumn so it is therefore the optimum time to review any tenancies.

How we can help you?

If you are a landlord and you would like to evict your tenant, it is important for you to be aware of the options available to you in connection with the tenancy. Alternatively, if you are a tenant and you think that you have been illegally served with an eviction notice, it is important that advice is sought at the earliest opportunity.

As a firm, we continue to monitor the Government's guidance and our experts are on hand to offer advice to both landlords and tenants during this difficult time. We will continue to provide updates as and when they arise.


Our dedicated team is on hand to provide expert advice to you in connection with Landlord and Tenant Law. For more information on the Landlord and Tenant services we offer, please visit our Residential Landlord and Tenant or Commercial Landlord and Tenant web pages.

To book an appointment or to discuss your individual circumstances in further detail, contact us today on 01603 693500 or email us using the 'Make an enquiry' form on our website.

*This article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or other professional advice.