Goodbye Section 21: A Landlord’s Guide to the New Rules

What’s Changing: Goodbye to Section 21

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without providing a valid reason. This is designed to give renters greater security and reduce instability caused by sudden, unexplained notices to leave.

Why This Worries Landlords

The biggest fear we hear is: “If I can’t use Section 21, how do I get my property back if something goes wrong?”

The worry is understandable, especially for self-managing landlords who’ve had to navigate difficult tenants or unpredictable tenancies in the past.

But here’s the key point…

Landlords Still Have Strong Grounds to Regain Possession

While “no fault” evictions are going, the Act strengthens and clarifies the grounds under which landlords can seek possession.

You can still regain your property if:

1. You want to sell the property

A clear, legitimate ground for possession now exists specifically for selling.

2. You or a close family member need to move in

This replaces the old and sometimes ambiguous “landlord use” grounds with something more structured and transparent.

3. The tenant repeatedly falls into rent arrears

A new, firmer ground has been introduced for tenants who consistently fail to pay on time — protecting landlords from ongoing financial risk.

4. The tenant engages in anti-social behaviour

The Act strengthens definitions and processes here, making it easier to deal with persistently disruptive or unsafe tenants.

5. There are serious breaches of the tenancy agreement

From subletting without permission to property misuse, landlords retain the right to act when agreements are not respected.

In short: You haven’t lost your rights — they’ve simply become more structured.

What This Means for You: It’s All About Good Management

If you’re already a responsible landlord who keeps records, communicates clearly, and maintains your property, the practical impact of the Act may be smaller than you think.

Most issues that previously ended in a Section 21 notice were avoidable or could have been addressed earlier with stronger tenancy oversight.

The landlords who will feel the biggest impact are those relying on Section 21 as a shortcut to resolve problems that should have been managed long before eviction became necessary.

How to Protect Yourself Under the New Rules

The key to staying in control is proactive tenancy management. That means:

• Thorough referencing at the start

A strong tenancy begins with selecting reliable, well-qualified renters.

• Clear, legally compliant tenancy agreements

Badly written or outdated contracts will leave landlords exposed under the new regime.

• Regular inspections and documentation

A good evidence trail is your best friend if you ever need to establish grounds for possession.

• Prompt action on concerns

Issues like arrears, neighbour complaints or property misuse should be addressed early — not allowed to escalate.

At Camella, we support landlords by taking all of this off your shoulders. Our tenancy management service ensures that every requirement of the Renters’ Rights Act is met, every document is correct, and every communication is logged so if you ever do need to regain possession, you’re fully prepared.

The Bottom Line

The end of “no fault” evictions does not remove your power as a landlord. It simply shifts the focus to fairness, transparency and good management — principles that most landlords follow already.

The Renters’ Rights Act doesn’t punish good landlords; it protects them by raising standards across the sector and ensuring that possession processes are clear, consistent and defensible.

If you want help staying ahead of the changes or you’re unsure how the new rules affect your current tenancy, we’re here to guide you.