Roughly two years after I received my first Section 21 No-Fault Eviction Notice, I found myself unexpectedly facing another such notice.

Earlier, our landlord had expressed his desire to raise the rent for my partner and me, citing a need to align it with market rates. Despite our attempt to negotiate after realizing we were paying more than a recently let house in our area, the landlord remained unresponsive for over a month.

Eventually, he served us the notice, stating his intention to reclaim the property as his primary residence.

This scenario was eerily familiar, reminiscent of a similar situation back in 2024. When my partner and I first moved into our duplex flat in South Manchester, we were thrilled, only to discover a severe mold issue that affected our belongings.

Despite the challenges, we made the flat our home until we were served with the Section 21 notice, claiming the property was to be sold. Interestingly, the property was later put back on the market at a significantly higher rent.

While I found these instances suspicious, there was little recourse available to us at the time.

Under current regulations, landlords are not obligated to provide accurate reasons for eviction, leaving tenants vulnerable. However, with the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act effective from May 1, 2026, significant changes are on the horizon.

The Act will abolish no-fault evictions, introduce stricter grounds for eviction, and offer more protection to tenants, including limitations on rent increases and discrimination. These new guidelines aim to create a fairer renting environment for both tenants and landlords.

It seems that some landlords are preemptively issuing Section 21 notices before the Act’s implementation to potentially exploit the current system for increased rent without justification.

While the Act won’t impact our situation, it represents a positive step towards ensuring tenant rights and fair treatment in the rental market.

Shelter and other organizations have voiced support for the Act, emphasizing the need for swift implementation to address housing challenges and protect renters.