Evicting tenants overview
This guide covers the procedures that landlords must follow when they need a tenant to leave their property.
The Renters’ Rights Act will change laws about renting and this guidance has been published to help private rented sector landlords and agents prepare. The new rules will apply on or from 1 May 2026. For information on the current law, refer to the existing guidance on evicting tenants.
You will need to follow strict procedures if you need your tenants to leave your property.
You may be guilty of harassing or illegally evicting your tenants if you do not follow the correct procedures. Illegal eviction is a criminal offence that can lead to a prison sentence.
This guidance is for England only. There’s different guidance on:
How you evict tenants will depend on what type of agreement they have.
Assured periodic tenancies
On or after 1 May 2026, if you let a property to tenants, it will usually be an assured periodic tenancy.
If you have an assured periodic tenancy, you will only be able to start the process to evict your tenant with a section 8 notice.
If your tenant owes rent and gets housing benefits
If they claim Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, you may be able to get the rent paid straight to you instead of evicting them. This is known as ‘managed payments’.
Apply to the Department for Work and Pensions if your tenant is claiming Universal Credit.
Contact the local council that pays your tenant’s benefits if they are claiming Housing Benefit.
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