Landlord services

Following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, all private residential tenancies that were formally assured shorthold tenancies were converted on 1 May 2026 to assured periodic tenancies with no fixed term. They are now only terminable by 2 months’ notice by the tenant and by the landlord when relying on one or more of the possession grounds in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988, as amended.

The process involves serving notice on the tenant requiring them to give up possession of the property.

Please note: If you have taken a deposit for the property and it has not been protected and the prescribed information given to the tenant within the timescales required, any notice will be invalid. We can provide further advice on your options in these circumstances.

Since 1 May 2026, the grounds for possession require a reason and most notice periods have doubled. The grounds are set out in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988, as amended.

The most common notice is on the ground of rent arrears but can be used in other circumstances such as the need to occupy/sell the property, antisocial behaviour or other breach of tenancy.

If the tenant is in 3 months arrears, a notice can be served giving the tenant 4 weeks to vacate or pay the arrears before proceedings can be issued seeking possession.

In our experience, the tenant rarely pays after a Section 8 notice is served, and possession proceedings usually follow.

If, when the Section 8 notice expires, the tenant has not vacated the property, possession proceedings must be issued otherwise you may face an unlawful eviction claim and prosecution by the local authority.

Please note, the local authority does not usually re-house a tenant until a possession order is made.

All possession proceedings now require a hearing and require evidence to be provided. As well as seeking possession we can seek Judgment for any arrears and costs as well as interest subject to terms of the tenancy.

If the tenant fails to vacate after the possession order is given, then a Warrant of Possession will need to be issued. Enforcement of a possession order in the absence of a formal surrender by the tenant is the only way a tenancy will legally come to an end. We will require specific documents and information from you, including the tenancy agreement, names and addresses and a clearly set out rent statement to assist the judge. Due to County Curt delays we can apply for enforcement by high court enforcement officers which usually achieves possession sooner.

1. Tenancy agreement

2. Full names and addresses of tenants and agents

3. Copies of any notices served including rent increases

4. Evidence of deposit position, its protection and prescribed information being given

5. Confirmation of condition of property, any repair complaints or notices served by council

6. Evidence of statutory compliance in terms of electrics and gas

7. Licensing position

8. Reasons for relying on ground and any evidence

9. For arrears, a rent statement in four columns and attempts made to receive

For example:

New fines have been introduced for landlords and agents who fail to comply with the Renters’ Rights Act. The starting point for fines is £7,000 but they can increase to as much as £40,00 for landlords who seriously or repeatedly break the law.

It is essential for landlords and agents to get the right advice before giving notice to their tenants.

We offer a competitive fixed fee pricing structure for preparing tenancy agreements that comply with the legislation as well as serving notices, possession proceedings and enforcing possession orders.

For more information, contact Siobahn Sylvester or Tom Hickingbottom.