The Government recently announced The Deregulation Act 2015 that introduces important changes to when a landlord can serve a Section 21 notice to tenants to regain ownership of their property.
All new tenancies starting on or after 1st October 2015 are subject to these new guidelines. This October, all remaining Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will need to adhere to these rules, regardless of their start date. Already in place in Scotland, and with England to follow suit in October 2019, it is very likely that Wales will follow in the near future too.
Previously, landlords could simply give 8 weeks’ notice if the lease had expired without any other reason and the tenant would need to vacate the property. Giving more rights to tenants, the new rules include:
- An eviction notice can be served at the end of a tenancy, but no sooner than the first 4 months of the original tenancy.
- Tenants must be given at least 8 weeks’ notice, with valid reason (we are expecting more information relating to reasoning to be released shortly) before they are expected to vacate the property.
- For tenants who pay their rent quarterly, they must be given at least 3 months’ notice.
- For those that pay their rent on a half yearly or annual basis, at least 6 months’ notice will be required.
To read about the changes in full, please click here.
Need advice?
If you have any questions about the above, contact us on 0800 115566 or at sme@thomas-carroll.co.uk.
