Section 8 notice
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
A notice under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 (also known as a Notice to Quit) is part of the procedure landlords in England and Wales must follow to evict tenants when the terms of the contract have been broken. The most common reason for a Section 8 notice is significantly late payment of rent.
There are different eviction procedures in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
[edit] Types of tenancies and conditions of Section 8 notices
[edit] Assured shorthold tenancies
The procedure associated with Section 8 notices applies to assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs). ASTs are the types of residential tenancy agreements used by most private landlords and housing associations. ASTs are typically given for a period of six months but can be for longer. After this initial agreed period, the landlord is able to evict the tenant without a legal reason.
There are two types of ASTs - periodic (those that run weekly or monthly with no fixed end date) or fixed-term (which run for a specified period of time).
[edit] Assured tenancies
Section 8 notices also apply to assured tenancies. An assured tenancy provides tenants with far greater security of tenure in the long-term, as they are able to stay in a property until they choose to leave or the landlord gains possession on one of the grounds listed in the Housing Act 1988. This usually requires waiting until a certain condition has arisen which enables them to seek a possession order, for example, the tenants go into arrears on the rent.
[edit] Less common tenancies
Under less common types of tenancies, Section 8 notices do not apply, since conditions for eviction are different. These other types of tenancies include:
- Excluded tenancies or licences. These occur when a lodger is living in the home of the landlord and shares certain communal rooms (such as a kitchen or bathroom). Tenants under these agreements have less protection from eviction.
- Regulated tenancies. These can be tenancies that began before 15 January 1989. Tenants under these agreements have greater protection from eviction.
[edit] Specifics of a Section 8 notice
In order to give tenants notice under Section 8, the landlord must complete a Tenancy form 3: notice seeking possession of a property let on an assured tenancy (including an AST) or an assured agricultural occupancy. The completed notice must include the terms of tenancy that have been broken. Section 8 notices continue to be valid for 12 months after they have been served.
For situations where notice was given before 26 March 2020, the tenant must have been given up to two months to leave the property (depending on the condition of the eviction).
NB Due to circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary measures were brought in:
- If issued between 26 March 2020 and 28 August 2020 - at least three months (in England).
- If issued on or after 29 August 2020 and 31 May 2021 - at least six months (in England).
- If issued on or after 1 June 2021 - at least four months (in England), including cases where there are less than four months of unpaid rent.
- If issued on or after 24 July 2020 - at least six months (in Wales), unless the eviction is due to anti-social behaviour, in which case the notice period is three months or more.
In instances of eviction in England based on specific circumstances, the notice period can be shorter. These circumstances include:
- Rent arrears of six months or more.
- Anti-social behaviour (including rioting).
- Some instance of domestic abuse (in the social sector)
- False statements.
- Situations where the tenant doesn’t have the right to rent under immigration legislation.
From 1 June 2021, notice periods are four months in most circumstances, including for cases where there are less than four months of unpaid rent.
Additional guidance is available in Technical guidance on eviction notices.
[edit] Steps to possession
Landlords should follow technical guidance for possession as modified by the Coronavirus Act 2020. As of 1 June 2021, the Government strongly advises landlords not to commence or continue possession proceedings during the pandemic without a very good reason to do so.
If justification is warranted and tenants have not moved out of the property by the date on the Section 8 notice, then the landlord must apply to the court for a standard possession order. Additional guidance can be found here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Difference between assured shorthold tenancy and assured tenancy.
- Eviction.
- Rent.
- Section 13 notice.
- Section 21 notice.
- Tenant.
[edit] External resources
- Gov.uk, Assured tenancy forms.
- Gov.uk, COVID-19 and renting: guidance for landlords, tenants and local authorities.
- Gov.uk, Evicting tenants (England and Wales).
- Housing advice for Northern Ireland, Right to evict.
- Legislation.gov.uk, Coronavirus Act 2020.
- Legislation.gov.uk, Housing Act 1988, Section 8.
- mygovscot, Ending a tenancy as a landlord.
Featured articles and news
About the 5 Percent Club and its members
The 5% Club; a dynamic movement of employers committed to building and developing the workforce.
New Homes in New Ways at the Building Centre
Accelerating the supply of new homes with MMC.
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.