As a tenant, you may have come across the term `section 21` in your rental agreement, but what does it mean? Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 allows landlords the right to evict tenants without giving a reason, as long as they follow certain procedures outlined in the law.
A section 21 notice must be served on tenants, providing them with a minimum of two months` notice before they are required to move out. Landlords are legally entitled to serve a section 21 notice on a tenant once the fixed term of the tenancy has ended or during a periodic tenancy where rent is paid on a monthly basis.
It`s important to note that landlords cannot use section 21 as a way to evict tenants who have raised legitimate complaints about repairs or other issues in the property. Landlords must also ensure that the tenant has received a copy of the government`s How to Rent guide before serving a section 21 notice. Failure to do so can result in the notice being deemed invalid.
If you receive a section 21 notice, it`s important to act quickly. You may be able to negotiate a longer period to stay in the property but if you aren`t able to reach an agreement with your landlord, you`ll need to start looking for alternative accommodation.
Alternatively, if you don`t believe the section 21 notice is legally valid, you can challenge it in court. This can be a lengthy and costly process, so it`s important to seek legal advice before pursuing this option.
In summary, section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 allows landlords the right to evict tenants without giving a reason, as long as they follow the correct procedures. Tenants should be aware of their rights and obligations under their rental agreement and seek legal advice if they believe their rights have been infringed upon.