Dispute Resolution FAQs

A landlord or tenant dispute is a disagreement between a landlord and a tenant over issues such as rent, repairs, or deposits. Disputes can arise for a variety of reasons, including disagreements over the terms of a lease, the condition of the property, or the amount of rent owed.

In the United Kingdom, Section 8 usually refers to a possession notice that can be served on tenants if they have broken the terms of a tenancy at any point during an assured tenancy. It was introduced in Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988.

In the United Kingdom, a Section 21 notice is a legal document that a landlord can give to their tenant to begin the process of taking possession of a property let on an assured shorthold tenancy without providing a reason for wishing to take possession. It is also known as a Section 21 notice of possession or a Section 21 eviction.

A Section 21 notice can be used to evict tenants either after a fixed-term tenancy ends or during a tenancy with no fixed end date, known as a ‘periodic’ tenancy. However, there are certain circumstances under which a Section 21 notice cannot be used. If you have received a notice, getting advice is usually necessary.

A Section 21 notice must give tenants at least two months’ notice to leave the property.

You cannot usually evict a tenant without going to court, you must follow strict procedures to ensure that you are not guilty of harassing or illegally evicting your tenants. Should you be considering evicting your tenant without a court order, legal advice should be taken.

If your tenant has broken the terms of the tenancy, you can give them a Section 8 notice. If your tenant has not broken the terms of the tenancy, you can give them a Section 21 notice. If your tenant does not leave by the date specified on the notice, you can apply to the court for a standard possession order. If you are not claiming any unpaid rent, you can apply for an accelerated possession order, which may be quicker.