Notice to quit
Introduction
Most tenancies in the private rented sector are assured shorthold tenancies. These agreements can be ended by the landlord serving a Section 8 or Section 21 notice. These are notices seeking possession meaning the tenancy does not end on the expiry of the notice and therefore the rent continues to be due. Instead, these notices give the landlord the right to apply to court for a possession order to end the tenancy.
However, where your tenancy is not an assured or assured shorthold tenancy then it is likely to be a non-assured or common law tenancy instead.
These tenancy agreements grant the occupiers with 'basic protection' meaning that you can only enforce the end of the tenancy via a court order. If the tenancy is periodic you will also have to provide sufficient notice to end the agreement before you can apply for this court order.
To provide sufficient notice you will need to serve a notice to quit rather than a Section 21 or Section 8 notice.
Renters’ Rights Bill
The Renters' Rights Bill is expected to come into force in summer 2025, making the most significant changes to the private rented sector in over 30 years.
Amongst other things, the Bill will -
• Abolish Section 21;
• Change the type of tenancy you can offer;
• Introduce a new Decent Homes Standard to the PRS;
• Change advertising practices; and
• Significantly strengthen local authority enforcement powers.
The advice and resources on this page will be outdated once the Bill comes into force. The NRLA is currently preparing a suite of replacement guides and documents to help you manage the transition smoothly.
For further information on the passage of the Bill and its details, please see our dedicated campaigns hub
