Complete guide to legally evicting a tenant across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Step-by-step process, notice periods, and court procedures.
Not legal advice: This guide provides general information only. Laws differ between jurisdictions and change over time. For complex cases, consult a qualified solicitor.
Evicting a tenant in the UK requires following strict legal procedures. The process varies significantly depending on which part of the UK your property is located in:
Not sure which eviction route to use?
Our free Ask Heaven landlord Q&A tool can help you understand your options for England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
Important: Section 21 "no-fault" eviction ends 1 May 2026 under the Renters Rights Act 2025. After this date, you will need grounds for eviction (similar to Section 8).
Use Section 21 when you want to regain possession without giving a reason. Available until 30 April 2026.
Use Section 8 when you have specific grounds such as rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or breach of tenancy. Will remain available after May 2026.
Important: Wales uses the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, not Section 21/Section 8. Since December 2022, "no-fault" eviction has been abolished in Wales. Different notices and procedures apply.
In Wales, tenancy agreements are called occupation contracts. Landlords must follow the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 procedures, which provide greater tenant protections than England.
Important: Scotland uses Private Residential Tenancies (PRTs)and Notice to Leave, not Section 21/Section 8. Evictions are handled by the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, not the courts.
Since December 2017, all new private tenancies in Scotland are Private Residential Tenancies (PRTs), which are open-ended (no fixed term). Landlords must have one of 18 legal eviction grounds and serve a Notice to Leave.
Note: Northern Ireland has its own tenancy laws under the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. Different notice periods and procedures apply compared to England, Wales, and Scotland.
Our document packs include everything you need for a legally compliant eviction across England, Wales, and Scotland.