Section 21 Notice

Section 21 was the possession process many England landlords knew best, so the term remains familiar even though it is no longer available for new notices.

This guide explains the key dates and directs landlords to the current possession framework.

It provides historical context without suggesting that Section 21 remains available for a new England case.

For most current England cases, the real question is no longer "how do I serve a Section 21?" but "which possession route applies now, and what documents do I need to support it?"

Section 21 remains familiar wording for many landlords in England. The important point is to explain clearly that the process ended for new notices in England on 1 May 2026. For a new case, start with Eviction Notice Pack for Landlords.

From there, most landlords should move into Renters' Rights Act Eviction Rules , then into Section 8 Notice and then into the wider Eviction Process in England so the next legal step is clear before any documents are generated or served.

Many landlords still use the Section 21 term because it was the best-known process for years. This guide explains that older terminology, but it is not the place to start a new possession case.

It explains the historical position and the dates that mattered, then points landlords to the current framework.

Treat the information as transition guidance rather than a live service route for a notice that is no longer available.

For current England cases, the key issue is no longer whether Section 21 can be used. It is which possession route now applies, what grounds are available, and what evidence needs to support the case.

For most landlords, the next step is to identify the correct ground through Eviction Notice Pack for Landlords, then prepare the notice and evidence required for that ground.