Are you serving a section 21 notice correctly?


Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2023

A section 21 notice is a legal document used by landlords in England and Wales to terminate an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) without providing a reason. However, there are specific requirements that must be met for a section 21 notice to be valid.

If a section 21 notice and documents are not served correctly, it may not be legally valid, and the landlord may not be able to regain possession of the property without going through the court process. Here are some examples of how incorrect service can affect the validity of a section 21 notice:

  1. Incorrect method of service: The section 21 notice must be served in a specific way, either by hand delivery or by post. If it is served by a different method, such as email or text message, it may not be legally valid.

  2. Incorrect notice period: The section 21 notice must give the tenant a minimum of two months' notice before the landlord can apply to the court for possession. If the notice period is too short, the notice may not be legally valid.

  3. Incorrect information: The section 21 notice must include certain information, such as the date on which the notice is served and the date on which possession is required. If this information is incorrect or missing, the notice may not be legally valid.

  4. Failure to provide necessary documents: Before serving a section 21 notice, the landlord must provide the tenant with certain documents. If these documents are not provided, the notice may not be legally valid.

In summary, if a section 21 notice and documents are not served correctly, it may not be legally valid, and the landlord may not be able to regain possession of the property without going through the court process. It is important for landlords to ensure that they follow the correct procedures when serving a section 21 notice to avoid any potential issues.

If you require any advice, please call Anne Marie Lettings & Property Management on 01625 921400