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Government Published Open Consultation on Proposals to Ban Section 21

Section 21 Consultation


On 15 April 2019, the government announced plans to abolish the so-called ‘no-fault’ evictions by repealing section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. It is said to be the biggest change in the private rental sector for a generation. Under the new framework, private landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants at short notice. Landlords will ‘need to give a valid reason for taking back possession of the property and would need to be able to satisfy a judge of the validity of their claim’, according to the government.


Consultation following the announcement, titled ‘A new deal for renting: resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants’, has been published. This consultation will last for 12 weeks from 21 July 2019 and will close on 12 October 2019.


The abolition of Section 21 will be achieved by removing Assured Shorthold Tenancies regime from the Housing Act 1988 and introducing a fairer, more transparent possessions regime, as Section 21 notices can only be served under assured shorthold tenancies. “Once we abolish Section 21, there is no longer any significant legal distinction between an assured shorthold tenancy and an assured tenancy,” according to Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in the ministerial forward for the consultation.

In the ministerial forward, it also stated:

‘For tenants, this means being able to rent with certainty. Certainty that you will not be asked to leave without being given a fair reason and certainty you will be protected from rogue landlords who seek to abuse their position. 

For landlords, this means being able to rent properties safe in the knowledge that your investment is protected, and you will be supported to provide the safe, secure, and decent homes the nation needs. It means knowing you can swiftly take action when things go wrong, through a redress system that works, and works fairly.’

The government is considering restructuring possession grounds. This consultation seeks viewpoints on ‘how to implement the Government’s decision to abolish section 21 and improve the implementation of section 8’.

Questions regarding bringing tenancies to an end are asked in the consultation, here are a few of the areas covered:

  • How tenants can end a tenancy

  • Landlord or landlord’s family members moving into the property

  • Landlord’s plans to sell the property 

  • Rent-arrears 

  • Anti-social behaviour 

  • Domestic abuse 

  • Unsafe properties

  • Accelerated possession 

  • Student accommodation

  • Specialist provisions

  • Agricultural tenancy 


Landlords can learn more and respond to the consultation through various methods here before 12th October 2019.



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The Government has announced plans to scrap “no-fault evictions” by consulting on new legislation to abolish Section 21 evictions on 15th April. This will bring an end to private landlords evicting tenants from their homes at short notice and without a good reason.