The coming into force of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 ("the Act") last year marked the beginning of the end for section 21 “no‑fault” evictions. However, it is the transition provisions that are most likely to catch out the unwary. Get the timing wrong, and a notice that appears perfectly valid today could become entirely unenforceable overnight.
The critical date is coming up next week – after next Thursday, any section 21 notice served will have no legal effect. The Act introduces strict transitional deadlines that significantly reduce the time available to landlords to take enforcement action.
However section 21 notices served prior to 1 May will not automatically fall away. Those notices remain valid and the tenancy will continue to be treated as an assured shorthold tenancy. However, this applies only until possession proceedings are concluded or the notice becomes time‑barred. In practical terms, there remains a route to possession under section 21 – just - but it is subject
