Updated 1 November 2026. A landlord seeking possession of an assured periodic tenancy in England needs a valid legal reason and must follow the correct process. A preferred moving date or the expiry of an old fixed-term label does not, by itself, establish that the occupier must leave.
Government guidance explains that section 21 notices cannot be served from 1 May 2026 for tenancies covered by the reforms. The current route described for a landlord ending an assured periodic tenancy is a section 8 notice of seeking possession, identifying the applicable grounds.
Establish the ground and its requirements
The guidance gives examples of grounds involving sale, occupation by the landlord, rent arrears, damage, breaches of terms and antisocial behaviour. Each is a legal route with its own requirements, rather than a set of interchangeable labels for the same situation.
Our practical suggestion is to gather the relevant tenancy documents, payment record and correspondence before seeking advice on a notice. Separate an established fact from an allegation or an intended future action. A qualified adviser can assess whether the proposed ground fits the actual circumstances and what evidence is needed.
Use the current process
The notice period depends on the ground. Do not copy a period or form number from an old archive article and assume it remains correct. Use the current government notice guidance and forms, and check service and timing requirements before taking action.
The government also highlights tenancy-deposit compliance. That is a reason to check the underlying records, not simply to tick a declaration because the deposit was handled by an agent. Where an older notice or court claim is already involved, transitional rules may need separate consideration.
Notice does not authorise self-help eviction
A possession process is not permission to change locks, remove belongings or pressure an occupier out. Obtain advice about the court process and lawful enforcement if a tenant remains after notice. Avoid presenting a hoped-for timetable as a guaranteed outcome.
Student lettings also require care: the current guide says assured periodic tenancies cannot have a fixed end date merely because students occupy the home, and the student possession ground has specific conditions.
This is a starting guide to the official information. It does not decide whether a particular ground is available or replace legal advice on serving a notice or bringing a claim.