The abolition of Section 21 is not simply a change of form. It is a change in operating discipline. From 1 May 2026, private landlords in England have been unable to use the Section 21 ‘no-fault’ process to regain possession. Most assured shorthold tenancies converted to assured periodic tenancies, and new private assured tenancies are also periodic. A landlord who needs a property back must now use a relevant statutory ground, serve the right notice and, where necessary, pro

The abolition of Section 21 represents one of the most profound structural shifts to England's private rented sector (PRS) in a generation. Driven by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the legislative landscape for property possession has fundamentally transformed. Since 1 May 2026, private landlords in England can no longer utilise Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to regain possession of a property without stipulating a specific, legally recognized reason. Instead, the sector h

A common myth circulating within the UK private rented sector is that landlords can no longer raise rent in any meaningful way. That is simply not true. Another pervasive myth is that if a tenant challenges a rent increase, the landlord automatically loses. That is not true either. What truly matters under the evolving legislative landscape—including the Renters’ Rights Act 2025—is whether the rent increase is supported by robust evidence, aligned with statutory rules, and ha