Section 21 notice: what you need to know
Understanding your Section 21 notice
A section 21 notice is given by a landlord to start the process of making you leave your home. You do not have to leave your home straight away.
Your landlord does not need a reason for giving you a section 21 notice - for example, they might want to sell the property or move back in.
You can only get a section 21 notice if you have an assured shorthold tenancy. If you’re not sure what type of tenancy you have, find out using Shelter’s tenancy checker.
If you do not have an assured shorthold tenancy, your section 21 notice is not valid. You will be able to challenge your eviction and stay in your home.
The eviction date on the section 21 notice must be 2 months after you receive the notice. It cannot be served if you are less than 4 months into your initial tenancy agreement.
Your tenancy continues if you stay past the date on the notice. Your landlord must apply to court if they still want you to leave. The council may not consider you homeless unless you have followed through the full eviction process.
Check if your Section 21 notice is valid
Your section notice may not be valid if there are mistakes on the notice or your landlord has broken other rules.
If the notice is not valid, your landlord cannot use it to evict you. Your landlord must give you a valid notice to start the eviction process.
Depending on the type of tenancy agreement you have, your landlord cannot give you a valid section 21 notice unless they give you:
- a Gas Safety Certificate (if you have gas in the property you occupy)
- an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- the How to Rent booklet on GOV.UK
- a Tenancy Deposit Certificate (if a deposit was taken at the beginning of your tenancy and never returned to you)
You can also follow this flowchart to determine whether your section 21 notice is valid (this includes all types of tenancy agreements).
If your section 21 notice is valid, you do not have to leave right away even if you have rent arrears.
Your tenancy continues until you leave voluntarily, or you're evicted by court bailiffs.
There are 3 stages to eviction:
- You receive a section 21 notice
- Your landlord applies to the court for a court order
- You receive a possession order or are evicted by court bailiffs
It is likely to take at least 6 months from getting a section 21 to being evicted. This gives you some time to find somewhere else to live.
Find out more about your housing options.
For more information about section 21 notices, visit the Shelter UK website.
How we can help you
You do not have to wait until you are homeless to reach out for help. We can help you as soon as you receive the section 21 notice.
We can:
- check if your section 21 notice is valid
- help you talk to your landlord so you can stay in your home
- advise you if you are struggling to pay your rent
- direct you to independent advice agencies in your local area
- help you find alternative accommodation - read more about:
How to find private rented accommodation
Your other housing options
Section 8 notice: what you need to know
A section 8 notice has different laws and regulations than a section 21 notice. A section 8 eviction notice means that your landlord has a legal reason to evict you, such as having rent arrears.
Support from local organisations
If you need further financial support and support in other areas, you can find a list of local organisations and support groups available to you.
Financial support
Explore our dedicated pages to find financial support that fits your needs—whether it’s help with housing or other essential areas.
Last updated 01 July 2025