The Renters’ Rights Act has brought the biggest changes to the private rented sector in decades, including the abolition of Section 21 notices.
However, there is one important transitional deadline that many landlords may not be aware of.
If you served a Section 21 notice before 1st May 2026 and are still relying on it, 31st July 2026 could be a crucial date.
Why is 31st July important?
When the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1st May 2026, the Government introduced transitional arrangements for Section 21 notices that had already been served.
Even if your notice has not yet reached its normal expiry date, 31st July 2026 is the final date you can begin court proceedings using an eligible Section 21 notice.
After this date, those notices can no longer be relied upon.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you have not started court proceedings before 31st July, your Section 21 notice will no longer be valid.
As Section 21 has now been abolished, you won’t be able to serve another one.
Instead, if you still need to regain possession of your property, you’ll need to follow the new legal process under the Renters’ Rights Act using the appropriate Section 8 possession grounds, where applicable.
Depending on your circumstances, this could mean additional time, paperwork and delays.
Does this affect you?
This deadline only applies if:
- You served a Section 21 notice before 1st May 2026.
- Your tenant remains in the property.
- You have not already started court proceedings.
- Your notice has not already expired.
If all of the above apply, it’s important not to leave things until the last minute.
We’re here to help
The changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act have created a new landscape for landlords, and it’s understandable that many are unsure how the transitional rules apply to them.
If you’re not certain whether your Section 21 notice is still valid or whether you need to take action before 31st July, our team is here to help.
We’ll review your circumstances, explain your options and help ensure you don’t miss an important legal deadline.
If you think this may affect you, contact the Home Finders team today for advice before 31st July.
