Whether this is an urban myth or not really depends on when you are reading this post!
It is being written in April 2024, and at the moment, section 21 is still very much with us.
However, at the time of writing, there is a Renters Reform Bill wending its way through Parliament which, when it comes into force, will remove the right for landlords to use the no-fault section 21 ground for possession.
The Renters Reform Bill
Whether the Renters Reform Bill will ever become law is debatable. It really depends on when the next General Election (believed to be taking place this year, or at the latest, in January 2025) is called.
For example, if the election is called for June 2024, as some are suggesting, then there will not be enough time for the bill to pass all the final stages.
At the time of writing the Bill has not yet passed its report stage in the House of Commons and will also have to travel through the House of Lords. It has been much delayed.
If the bill becomes law, the current government have promised that the abolition of section 21 will not come into effect until various reforms have taken place in the Courts.
However, if Labour win the next election, as the polls suggest, then it is very likely that the abolition of section 21 will take effect immediately. If only to reduce the cost of rehousing the homeless, as discussed here.
All parties have pledged to remove section 21, so it is going to happen at some stage – the only question is when?
Properties in Wales
Incidentally, if your property is in Wales, then no-fault evictions are still very much with us and will remain so after the Renters Reform Bill (or its successor) has become law. However, in Wales, the no-fault possession ground comes in section 173 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
It is considerably more limited in scope and cannot be used at all within the first six months of a contract and the notice period is 6 months.
You can see what stage the Renters Reform Bill has reached from the Parliament page here.
21 notice…myth ? All over the Internet are many posts from Landlords websites and similar stating catagoricly that a 21 notice would be invalid if no smoke alarms are fitted in a rental property. Some are allegedly by solicitor’s. ! Why isn’t it. Apparently burning renters to death is OK but not giving them a book is unforgivable !