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Original poster

Can landlord force me out after no-fault notice if I stay?

183 replies

BlakeCarrington · 15/03/2026 21:06

Hello wise Mumsnetters

I hope some of you might have experience in this area. I’m a private tenant who has been in a property for a year and am on a month by month rolling contract. I’ve looked after the place well, paid my rent on time etc.

My landlord has decided to sell up and has given me a no fault eviction notice and 2 months notice which runs out at the end of this month.

I have sorted somewhere else to go, but I can’t get into the new place until end of April. I was thinking of asking him to extend u til then but I doubt he’ll go for it, he’s champing at the bit to sell it.

Where would I stand if I just said I can’t move out until end of April as I’ve nowhere to go? It’s only 4 extra weeks and I would still pay rent. Could he send in the bailiffs or change the locks or something?

Thanks

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 15/03/2026 21:07

I think it would take a bit of time to get you evicted. Can you ask if he will let you stay for extra few weeks?? X

WhoInvitedHer · 15/03/2026 21:09

No he would have to apply to Court for a possession order and the chances of him getting one that quickly are extremely unlikely. Best to communicate your situation to the landlord but only a Court or the tenant can end a tenancy and I am an experienced landlord. Your s21 notice should tell you which agencies to call for advice.

SpiritAdder · 15/03/2026 21:10

I would tell him you have found a new rental but the move in can’t be until 1 April through no fault of your own. You can sweeten it by saying it won’t delay a sale, He can put it on the market the last month and you can offer to be amenable to viewings on Saturday mornings.

Some landlords are doing referencing and you wouldn’t want him to give you a bad reference and lose the place you found. So it’s best to not blindside him by just staying.

He would not be able to force you out before April.

fruitbrewhaha · 15/03/2026 21:11

Just ask. Put it in writing with the date you propose to be your last day. Your landlord would be silly to argue against it as there’s not a lot they can do. They will be eager for you to leave before 1 May.

Kay286 · 15/03/2026 21:12

You can but if he has to go the legal route you could be forced to pay his costs

dadtoateen · 15/03/2026 21:12

Just ask him? The house won’t be sold and new folks moving in within the timescales….

FryingPam · 15/03/2026 21:12

He’d have to get a court order which would probably take about 6 months. Personally though I think it’s a shitty thing to do. Renting comes with the benefits of not needing to commit long term to a place, saddling yourself with a mortgage or worrying about maintenance, but with the downside of knowing that you might need to move out at some point. If he was a good landlord and kept his end of the deal, I think tenants should keep theirs. I’d ask about the 4 weeks extension and if he says no, get an AirBnB in until your next place is ready.

ohyesido · 15/03/2026 21:15

You could but it would get messy and awkward, you would need nerves of steel

MikeRafone · 15/03/2026 21:15

How has he served your section 21? Has it all been correctly served? As often they aren’t, so when they get to court the LL needs to start again and another 56 days must pass

get it checked

Original poster
BlakeCarrington · 15/03/2026 21:21

Thanks everyone. I am going to ask him to extend for 4 weeks. I’m worried he might say no though.

I really don’t want to get in any legal bother or cause him any. But I really have nowhere to go in the interim other than an expensive AirBnB that I can’t afford. Also note that he hasn’t been a good landlord in regards repairs etc whereas I have been a good tenant, and he has completely shafted me by giving me no fault eviction notice. I moved in here on the understanding it would be a long term arrangement last year.

OP posts:
MrsF111 · 15/03/2026 21:40

I’m a landlord and I would be surprised if he said no to your request, it would take him longer and be more hassle to try to evict. If you are happy to allow viewings amd/or the estate agents to do photos/valuations even better!

Ineffable23 · 15/03/2026 21:45

There's no chance they'll have managed to sell the place before the end of April and pretty much no chance that the courts will have had time to issue an eviction notice. Make clear you intend to leave, and to sweeten the deal that you'll allow viewings in your final month, if you can face it.

TheTwenties · 15/03/2026 22:23

Given the rule changes from 1st May it’s sensible for the LL to take action as soon as possible given how slow the system is. If you already have a new rental organised just allow the LL to do what’s required in terms of filing court papers, it won’t have any issues for you and there’s practically zero chance of court action before you’re planning on going anyway. Just keep the LL informed and pay rent. The LL taking action now is necessary in case anything changes re your situation. You need to protect yourself and they need to do the same.

gamerchick · 15/03/2026 22:34

FryingPam · 15/03/2026 21:12

He’d have to get a court order which would probably take about 6 months. Personally though I think it’s a shitty thing to do. Renting comes with the benefits of not needing to commit long term to a place, saddling yourself with a mortgage or worrying about maintenance, but with the downside of knowing that you might need to move out at some point. If he was a good landlord and kept his end of the deal, I think tenants should keep theirs. I’d ask about the 4 weeks extension and if he says no, get an AirBnB in until your next place is ready.

Edited

On the other side of the coin, people rent because they don't have a choice and should be protected from being turfed out of their homes on a landlords whim when they've been paying the ruddy mortgage for it.

So no,.it's not a shitty thing to do. Compromise is everything and he can just bloody wait another month can't he?!

Friendlygingercat · 15/03/2026 22:48

I would screw the LL over but then I am a vindictive bitch. I suspect there are a number of quiet apparently complient tenants waiting to flex their muscles once the new legislation comes in.

If you have already got a new place signed up do you actually need a reference?An employer cant give you a bad reference so why should a LL? I would dig your heels in and stay til the new place is ready. There really is nothing he can do - and thats assuming he has all the correct paperwork to issue a S 21L-

Deposit protected
How to rent leaflet (latest one)
Gas safety certificate
Electrical Safety Inspection Certificate
EPC Certificate

If he is missing any one of these you can challenge him in court and the S21 will not be valid. That means he must begin again and it will be after the new legislation comes in.

rwalker · 15/03/2026 22:49

I’d offer to allow viewings and give a leaving date
the problem of staying out without negotiating hell have to go to court to evict you he could persue you for cost and no chance of a reference

hahabahbag · 15/03/2026 22:52

Ask him, and offer to allow the estate agents in for photos etc to get it on the market, he might just say yes

RogueFemale · 15/03/2026 22:54

BlakeCarrington · 15/03/2026 21:06

Hello wise Mumsnetters

I hope some of you might have experience in this area. I’m a private tenant who has been in a property for a year and am on a month by month rolling contract. I’ve looked after the place well, paid my rent on time etc.

My landlord has decided to sell up and has given me a no fault eviction notice and 2 months notice which runs out at the end of this month.

I have sorted somewhere else to go, but I can’t get into the new place until end of April. I was thinking of asking him to extend u til then but I doubt he’ll go for it, he’s champing at the bit to sell it.

Where would I stand if I just said I can’t move out until end of April as I’ve nowhere to go? It’s only 4 extra weeks and I would still pay rent. Could he send in the bailiffs or change the locks or something?

Thanks

I'm a former landlord. If your tenancy is an assured shorthold tenancy and you've been served with a valid notice under s.21 Housing Act 1988, the notice is not a notice to quit, does not end your tenancy nor oblige you to vacate at notice expiry. The notice simply entitles your landlord to apply to the county court for a possession order after the notice expires. Doing this takes months. Your landlord will likely be very happy if you are offering to vacate at the end of April.

exisatwat · 15/03/2026 23:05

@Friendlygingercat and this attitude is partly why landlords are selling up.

I’ve just had tenants move out (they gave notice not me). The house had new carpets, newly plastered walls, was nicely decorated and had a new kitchen. They lived there 18 months, there’s now stains and clicks on the carpet and every room needs redecorating. There are marks all over and they put shelves and pictures up everywhere so there are filled holes which now need sanding and painting over. The kitchen bench has been water damaged. The Letting Agent seemingly deems this as wear and tear so it’s not worth trying to retain some of the bond I’ve known of as many shit tenants as bad landlords.

@BlakeCarrington I’d speak to the LL, he’ll know you could be difficult and stay anyway, so I’d imagine he’ll agree to it. I had tenants who stayed nearly a month longer than their move out date, and didn’t pay rent for the last month. They also left a load of their crap behind which cost me £300 to remove.

RogueFemale · 15/03/2026 23:06

Friendlygingercat · 15/03/2026 22:48

I would screw the LL over but then I am a vindictive bitch. I suspect there are a number of quiet apparently complient tenants waiting to flex their muscles once the new legislation comes in.

If you have already got a new place signed up do you actually need a reference?An employer cant give you a bad reference so why should a LL? I would dig your heels in and stay til the new place is ready. There really is nothing he can do - and thats assuming he has all the correct paperwork to issue a S 21L-

Deposit protected
How to rent leaflet (latest one)
Gas safety certificate
Electrical Safety Inspection Certificate
EPC Certificate

If he is missing any one of these you can challenge him in court and the S21 will not be valid. That means he must begin again and it will be after the new legislation comes in.

It's hard to see how this aggressive approach might benefit @BlakeCarrington She just wants to stay in the property until the end of April. Not start a legal battle with her landlord.

RogueFemale · 15/03/2026 23:12

exisatwat · 15/03/2026 23:05

@Friendlygingercat and this attitude is partly why landlords are selling up.

I’ve just had tenants move out (they gave notice not me). The house had new carpets, newly plastered walls, was nicely decorated and had a new kitchen. They lived there 18 months, there’s now stains and clicks on the carpet and every room needs redecorating. There are marks all over and they put shelves and pictures up everywhere so there are filled holes which now need sanding and painting over. The kitchen bench has been water damaged. The Letting Agent seemingly deems this as wear and tear so it’s not worth trying to retain some of the bond I’ve known of as many shit tenants as bad landlords.

@BlakeCarrington I’d speak to the LL, he’ll know you could be difficult and stay anyway, so I’d imagine he’ll agree to it. I had tenants who stayed nearly a month longer than their move out date, and didn’t pay rent for the last month. They also left a load of their crap behind which cost me £300 to remove.

@exisatwat Get acquainted with the small claims track of the county court. It's very easy to claim smaller sums for damage, or unpaid rent, outside of the deposit protection system. You just need to know your former tenant's new address.

mondaytosunday · 15/03/2026 23:13

Im a landlord and I’d be amenable to letting you stay as long as you would allow viewings. In fact I am selling a flat that a long term tenant is living in and she’s agreed that she’ll move out before exchange and the flat looks much better with her things in it than empty. Ask , it’s what six weeks or so? Not that long.

stichguru · 15/03/2026 23:45

BlakeCarrington · 15/03/2026 21:06

Hello wise Mumsnetters

I hope some of you might have experience in this area. I’m a private tenant who has been in a property for a year and am on a month by month rolling contract. I’ve looked after the place well, paid my rent on time etc.

My landlord has decided to sell up and has given me a no fault eviction notice and 2 months notice which runs out at the end of this month.

I have sorted somewhere else to go, but I can’t get into the new place until end of April. I was thinking of asking him to extend u til then but I doubt he’ll go for it, he’s champing at the bit to sell it.

Where would I stand if I just said I can’t move out until end of April as I’ve nowhere to go? It’s only 4 extra weeks and I would still pay rent. Could he send in the bailiffs or change the locks or something?

Thanks

Ask him and offer to allow viewings and bother to keep the house clean and tidy for them. If you are on a month to month rolling contract, legally he can give you 2 months notice, and you have to leave. If you don't he could get you evicted. However realistically

  • eviction would probably take longer than a month and a half when you will go anyway
  • even if he had a viewing, an offer and accepted the offer tomorrow, he wouldn't actually get it sold by the end of April!
  • he will get no money for the time between you moving out and selling, so it would probably be advantageous if you still lived there for a bit.
Notmymarmosets · 16/03/2026 00:25

Friendlygingercat · 15/03/2026 22:48

I would screw the LL over but then I am a vindictive bitch. I suspect there are a number of quiet apparently complient tenants waiting to flex their muscles once the new legislation comes in.

If you have already got a new place signed up do you actually need a reference?An employer cant give you a bad reference so why should a LL? I would dig your heels in and stay til the new place is ready. There really is nothing he can do - and thats assuming he has all the correct paperwork to issue a S 21L-

Deposit protected
How to rent leaflet (latest one)
Gas safety certificate
Electrical Safety Inspection Certificate
EPC Certificate

If he is missing any one of these you can challenge him in court and the S21 will not be valid. That means he must begin again and it will be after the new legislation comes in.

Bloody hell, a landlord definitely can give you a bad reference, please be assured of that.

Fends · 16/03/2026 01:12

Friendlygingercat · 15/03/2026 22:48

I would screw the LL over but then I am a vindictive bitch. I suspect there are a number of quiet apparently complient tenants waiting to flex their muscles once the new legislation comes in.

If you have already got a new place signed up do you actually need a reference?An employer cant give you a bad reference so why should a LL? I would dig your heels in and stay til the new place is ready. There really is nothing he can do - and thats assuming he has all the correct paperwork to issue a S 21L-

Deposit protected
How to rent leaflet (latest one)
Gas safety certificate
Electrical Safety Inspection Certificate
EPC Certificate

If he is missing any one of these you can challenge him in court and the S21 will not be valid. That means he must begin again and it will be after the new legislation comes in.

Wrong. And the whole reason private landlords are leaving the sector. Why so aggressive?